Snowfall Last 24 hours – What’s really on our lakes?
Sometime yesterday there was a collective sigh heard amongst the New England iceboating community. The white stuff has fallen across our region covering up some of the best sailing this season.
In case anyone needs a reminder about taking advantage of good ice as soon as it’s available. Bantam came and went in a matter of a few hours yesterday. Sailors set up early sailed and marked the hazards and a couple hours later they were forced off the plate due to accumulating snow. The wait continues.
Let’s post some first hand info into the comment section below or if you prefer our Forum. https://theneiya.org/forum/
We are sorting through rumors of areas of ice that have missed the brunt of the snow. With a little luck some people could be sailing for the weekend or sooner.
Today was the first day of Nationals with 52 competitors traveling from as far as North Carolina, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Florida, and New York. Black Lake is located in Northern Michigan and the lake is large. The day had big winds with gusts to 20 at the start of the day and the temperatures hovered at the upper teens. Snow was whipping around and the pitted ice made sailing pretty exciting. T and I arrived early on Sunday and managed to practice both days. Given the limited sailing back east, it was nice to have two solid days on the ice before the racing began.
I squeaked into the gold fleet after finishing 12th in the qualifying race. For me, today was about sailing with confidence in big wind which has always made me very nervous. I started with my heavy 90 degree inserts and my flatter sail. I surprised myself with solid starts by sitting more back in my boat and hiking a bit until I was two blocked. I made good lay line decisions both upwind and downwind, and my mark roundings especially at the leeward mark were at good speeds but always in control. In one race I had a great start and rounded the top mark in 5th place just behind T, but what I am learning in the gold fleet is that these really experienced gold fleet sailors just ZOOM-ZOOM away while I watch from behind and wonder why?! It must come down to better and constant sail trim both upwind and downwind. T said he is constantly playing his sail. I tend to lock in and let her ride.
By the 3rd race I felt I could sail a bit faster so I switched to my 95 degree inserts. The wind was fading a bit and that was causing big slow-downs when hitting the drifts. That really helped a lot in my other races. Yes, my finishes are still at the bottom of the fleet. But given the very challenging wind and ice conditions I definitely sailed the fastest I have ever gone in my boat and I had a lot of confidence at those speeds. Last year, I remember being terrified in big wind. Today, frankly, it was a total rush.
Although completely snow covered on arrival this morning lake Sunapee showed herself in fine form today. Some uncommonly brave new sailors inhaled their first ice chips at speed and a light gaggle of cold blooded veterans got a handful of mother natures rowdiest winds coming down from the northwest. I overheard one sailor say they measured a gust of over 40mph and I heard others say they were ringing the bell at 40-50mph at speed…. and that is on 3/4” of hardening snow base! Crazy. I’ll forever recall the 80’ snow contrails blazing up from Kate Marones runners as she looked so calm at the tiller. An amazing day.
First, the good news…. nobody got hurt. We did have a couple of cartwheelers and a bit of hardware was pushed beyond its limit but we all made it back to the pits with pre Covid type ear to ear smiles. The bad news is that toward early afternoon it became inherently unsafe. More like vicious. Survival mode for those without storm sails. So in light of higher winds forecasted for tomorrow (gusts high 40’s) I can’t say in good faith it is wise to sail at all. We were not able to race today as it was way too sketchy and tomorrow will be worse. I for one don’t want to break my boat so I will not be there.
Stay tuned to this NEIYA homepage. Word has it new ice is forming on the big lakes and the forecast looks to be settling nicely after tomorrow. Elbows in!
Contact me if you lost a single black rubber ice gripper.
Our VC Jay Whitehair will be sailing on Lake Sunapee tomorrow Saturday, Jan 23rd. Launch from State beach park. Excellent space for parking and setup. There are hazards so check with those who have been out before venturing on your own. Launch info below.
Plenty of room for all to cruise and there will be some marks to round as well.
Speaking of marks we have not given up on some regular regattas but the complex web of Covid regulations is making a difficult process even more complex. More on that later.
Lake Wentworth remains good but there are active hazards so be careful. Check with locals. No word on Monomonoc in Rindge NH but will post as soon we know.
There are BIG winds forecast for the region so be careful out there people.
Think Ice, Sail Fast, and Be Safe
John Stanton NEIYA, Commodore john@neiya.org
Covid-19 While we are all anxious to get out and sail, especially as our season begins, While Covid-19 is still amongst us, we MUST all practice Enhanced Personal Responsibility. Basically, take the personal responsibility that we iceboaters already practice and turn it up a few notches.
Before you go:
Be aware of and adhere to all local, state, or federal regulations.
If you have any symptoms get tested and be negative before you go. If in doubt, stay at home!.
Practice Social Distancing – Easy gauge, the length of a DN plank is eight(8) feet.
Keep congregating and socializing in the pits and parking areas to a minimum.
Wear your mask or face covering while setting up, transporting gear to and from your car or trailer, and while setting up.
The NEIYA will NOT be holding any official after ice activities so plan accordingly.
Let’s all be safe and keep the safety of others in mind in everything we do.
Kit Tucker sends in fleet from Monomonac earlier in the week
Good Morning all. As most of you know a bit of snow has fallen over some of the lakes that people had been sailing on got a little snow and a little warm snap. While this wasn’t dumping, those near those lakes feel it is prudent to give them a check before venturing back out. In NH Monomonac, Sunapee and Wentworth. We know of no known ice in MA, including all our usual go-to places. In CT there has been steady progress at Bantam and reports are expected later today.
That leaves us with Maine, where there have been good reports coming from our friends at the Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club (CIBC) aka http://www.iceboat.me for the latest in that area.
Look for further updates later today
Think Ice & Sail Fast,
John John@neiya.org
P.S. If you know of anything or just need info please leave a message in our Forum section https://theneiya.org/forum/
As mentioned yesterday we are coming into prime time. Our Vice Commodore Jay Whitehair was scouting Lake Sunapee in NH earlier today. Jay launched from State beach park and scouted the south and north ends. CAUTION there are some large holes in the south end that are skimmed over. Be very wary of the pressure ridges between the north and south sections. These are active areas and MUST be crossed with caution.
Jay will be back sailing on Sunapee tomorrow. Launch info below.
Monomonoc in Rindge NH and Wentworth are still in play. A wide range of venues can be had in Maine check out iceboat.me for details. And maybe even more as we move into the weekend.
Think Ice, Sail Fast, and Be Safe
John Stanton NEIYA, Commodore john@neiya.org
Covid-19 While we are all anxious to get out and sail, especially as our season begins, While Covid-19 is still amongst us, we MUST all practice Enhanced Personal Responsibility. Basically, take the personal responsibility that we iceboaters already practice and turn it up a few notches.
Before you go:
Be aware of and adhere to all local, state, or federal regulations.
If you have any symptoms get tested and be negative before you go. If in doubt, stay at home!.
Practice Social Distancing – Easy gauge, the length of a DN plank is eight(8) feet.
Keep congregating and socializing in the pits and parking areas to a minimum.
Wear your mask or face covering while setting up, transporting gear to and from your car or trailer, and while setting up.
The NEIYA will NOT be holding any official after ice activities so plan accordingly.
Let’s all be safe and keep the safety of others in mind in everything we do.
There is also chatter about sailing on Monomonoc in Rindge NH today and they may be out tomorrow. Check out the forum listed at the top of the homepage for updates from individuals. Things are looking good in a number of spots for the weekend and the rest of the week.
A wide range of venues can be had in Maine check out iceboat.me for details.
Can’t sail during the week save the weekend there is surely more to come.
Think Ice and Sail Fast
John Stanton NEIYA, Commodore john@neiya.org
Covid-19 While we are all anxious to get out and sail, especially as our season begins, While Covid-19 is still amongst us, we MUST all practice Enhanced Personal Responsibility. Basically, take the personal responsibility that we iceboaters already practice and turn it up a few notches.
Before you go:
Be aware of and adhere to all local, state, or federal regulations.
If you have any symptoms get tested and be negative before you go. If in doubt, stay at home!.
Practice Social Distancing – Easy gauge, the length of a DN plank is eight(8) feet.
Keep congregating and socializing in the pits and parking areas to a minimum.
Wear your mask or face covering while setting up, transporting gear to and from your car or trailer, and while setting up.
The NEIYA will NOT be holding any official after ice activities so plan accordingly.
Let’s all be safe and keep the safety of others in mind in everything we do.
New England Ice Yacht Association 