There should be good sailing on Webster Lake today- A groupbe launching from

Waterfront Mary’s

103 Birch Island Rd
Webster, MA 01570
United States

Hope to see some people there!

Saturday launch site:136 N Shore Rd
Bantam, CT

Just NE of the White Memorial Family Campground

Will be there at about 10. Show up any time!

Hello All- The title above isn’t one you’d normally expect to see at this time of year BUT it isn’t the craziest thing we’ve seen lately….

As I said in an earlier post we have an embarrassment of riches in terms of ice and we would be remiss if we didn’t try to make the best of it. So here goes, a cunning plan to take advantage of as much as possible…. As I once heard Eddie Van Halen say; “If it’s all you can eat for a buck I’ll take three bucks worth!”

Of course racing and cruising is welcome on all of these lakes but if racing is what gets you going consider the following:

-Bantam Lake in western CT. Bantam Lake – Wikipedia
On SATURDAY marks will be set, flags will be waved, and the clipboard and score sheets will be in use…. Stay tuned for launch site info

An extra DN will be available for anyone who wants to give it a try

-Webster Lake in eastern MA Lake Chaubunagungamaug – Wikipedia

On SUNDAY marks will be set, flags will be waved, and the clipboard and score sheets will be in use…. Stay tuned for launch site info

An extra DN will be available for anyone who wants to give it a try

If cruising is your speed consider the following:

-Damariscotta Lake in coastal ME Damariscotta Lake – Wikipedia

I sailed this last weekend and it was on the rough side but very sailable and very enjoyable- it may be smoother now than last weekend due to a rain event that rolled through. See the CIBC site for details Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club | Maine ice boat enthusiasts and friends

-Lake Winnepesaukee in central NH Lake Winnipesaukee – Wikipedia
Sources say Winni is being scouted for a Hard Way trip, maybe this will be a good year for it! Again, stay tuned to this site for details

We have also heard rumors about ice on Mahopac Lake in southeast NY and some lakes in NJ but we don’t have any details.

AS ALWAYS, USE PROPER PRECAUTIONS AND SAFETY PROTOCOLS WHEN GOING ON THE ICE. Do not venture out without talking with locals and other sailors and doing a proper evaluation of the conditions and potential hazards. There are always plenty, especially at this time of year.

ALSO FOLLOW ALL COVID SAFETY GUIDLINES- WEAR A MASK, MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING AND IF YOU THINK YOU MAY BE OR MAY HAVE BEEN INFECTED PLEASE AVOID ANY AND ALL CONTACT.

Hey Gang- We have an embarrassment of riches in the ice department but will post about all that later-

In the meantime take a look and listen to the latest SailJuice video by Mike Madge- in this one he talks with Matt Struble about how to get through the downwind leg in a hurry- If you’ve ever seen Matt sail downwind you know he is worth listening to!

Click and learn- Stay tuned

Downwind Speed in the DN Ice Yacht – YouTube

Downwind Speed in the DN Ice Yacht

At this point, you have heard people are sailing, seen the pictures, sailed on or stomped on, or wish you had sailed on the various plates of ice scattered around the New England Region. Well, they are true. Sailing always starts with a desire to sail and efforts made to go out and evaluate and test conditions. Sometimes those searches payout sometimes not. Remember to thank those that scouted the areas long before everyone else sets up. I know I will be leaving people out but here is a good start for what is on our top locals today. Bob Strzelewicz aka Bob S. in the Webster / Quabaug Area, Bill Buchholz (iceboat.me) for well pretty much the entire state of Maine and I am just going to say many including myself for Bantam. While there is nothing yet in New Hampshire our team is beginning to venture out.

Many of us are suffering from Ice Deprivation Psychosis or IDS. We have sailed so little this season so are ready to hit the ice as soon as something appears. Use caution and do not go on just rumors but listen to people that have actually been on the ice. When you arrive check with those that have been out. Below is where we know people have scouted and are currently sailing.

• Bantam Lake – Bantam, CT
• Webster Lake – Webster, MA
• Dammarascota Lake – Jefferson, ME

Others locations are currently being looked at and will be reported if sailable.

There will be not organized racing this weekend. However, I am sure that cones will be set up for some spirited practicing. Primary date and location to be determined by tomorrow.

A few grizzled veterans including myself and T (James Thieler) and others have extended offers for newbies to get out and try iceboating this weekend. Can we convert a few of our soft water sailing friends to the Hard Side? Consider inviting an interested out for a ride this weekend.

Sail Fast and adhere to local and state Covid distancing regulations.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
john@neiya.org

We asked for it and it rolled through late in the third period. The Zamboni has resurfaced our ice and getting it ready for review and fun.

Conditions are being confirmed and we have favorable reports coming out of most of the usual places. Naming names and starting outside of New England Budd Lake in NJ and Lake Mahopac in NY are both being scouted today. Moving west Bantam in CT is showing some good signs and is being checked out today. Further West off the Mass Pike Quabaug and down I395 Lake Chaubunagungamaug aka Webster Lake will both be looked at today. Reports are very positive out of Maine and it sounds like some of the best and biggest conditions will be had there. As always check out the Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club for the best coverage in that area.

There have to be other places but they have either not been scouted or they are being kept close to the vest. We rely upon condition information please share to our forum or pass it on me, Race Committee Chair T, or any of the officers.

Im not going to say we are in overtime just yet but now is the time to break loose of whatever is holding you back, work etc. As always conditions will vary and do change, sometimes very quickly, ice should not be considered safe until you have confirmed it for yourself. Sail heads up on any new piece of ice. Please be wary of the continued Covid 19 threat and be socially distant and follow all state and local regulations.

Sail Fast, Sail Safe and be safe,

John
DN5023
john@neiya.org

P.S. I will say it again this opportunity will not last get out there and sail.

Hi All,

Please check the Chickawaukee Ice Boat Club website for updates regarding sailing tomorrow/Friday….https://iceboat.me/

Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club | Maine ice boat enthusiasts and friends One of the most common questions from people curious about iceboating is if we can sail in the snow. We hem and haw about bonded vs. unbonded and maximum depths,etc, and about loosing split rings and clevis pins in the powder. iceboat.me

If you can make it up, great. The weather forecast is good for Friday, but not for Saturday.

Bill has checked the ice and will be present to point any noted hazards, but keep in mind conditions may change overnight and everyone needs to use caution.

Please adhere to all COVID regulations, maintain social distancing in the pits, and wear masks.

Thanks, Karen Binder DN5630/NEIYA Secretary.

Our challenges have mounted this year but we did not give up. Small groups found small ice and had big fun over the past few days. But We all know how this story goes the fun stops when the white stuff falls from the skies. Temperatures are moderate and there is some melt going on so maybe just maybe some venues will make a brief sailable appearance.

Whether hope springs eternal or just plain Spring Hope we will be on the ice again. Thanks, Eben for helping me tailor a coined phrase for our own purpose.

With that in mind, there are definite possibilities in the heart of mid-coast Maine as well as points further east. At the more southerly end of our range, Lake Mahopac in NY is being looked at and there is some promise there. There are im sure other potential venues but the weather is a little tricky and heightened caution is needed. If you are keeping an eye on anyting please share in a comment here or in the comments section.

Weekend condition updates will be coming in tonight and tomorrow. Load up your gear and be ready do roll…

Don’t forget to check the classified section items wanted and for sale HERE https://theneiya.org/classifieds/

Think ICE and be safe,

John
DN5023
john@neiya.org

Andre’ Baby was good enough to send this video our way- Good footage and be sure to take advantage of the 360 degree feature!

Hello guys,

In case you haven’t seen the latest . You can orient the camera any which way while Tomek is sailing, with the arrows on the left upper corner of the screen.

Enjoy !
André

Tak ślizga się Mistrz Polski 2021 – Tomasz Zakrzewski / Sailing with Polish Champ Tomasz Zakrzewski

Tak ślizga się Mistrz Polski 2021 – Tomasz Zakrzewski / Sailing with Pol…

Great to see the enthusiasm and guts this youngster has! She did well at the Nationals and we look forward to seeing her improve with a well tuned boat and some more time on the ice.

Iceboating bug can be dangerous >> Scuttlebutt Sailing News (sailingscuttlebutt.com)

The weather has dealt us a bad hand once again. Most of the region got some snow. This is on top of some already snowed in lakes as well as some on top of newly sailable bodies.

At the current moment we do not have reliable reports of any sailable ice. Please use extreme caution when checking out surfaces that are covered in snow. “Here is always thin ice someplace” and if its under snow you increase your chances. Just use your head and be safe.

There may be a possibility in Maine. Bill Buchholz reported on Tunk Lake in Maine. For those so inclined, he should have info on iceboat.me later today.

Anyone for some short tacks on the Alton Bay Ice Runway (Lake Winnipesaukee). The runway opened for the season last week and is reported to be 18+ inches thick. With a good thaw and refrozen surface we could be on Winni again.

If anything turns up over the weekend we will report back. Maybe just maybe something will happen.

Think Ice, Sail Fast and Be Save,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

More great tips from a top DN sailor- click and learn!

Thanks to Mike Madge for putting these together-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8LIMiLSyeg&feature=emb_title