Summer is in full swing, yet winter is coming. By August 31 we’ll have lost an hour of daylight and the march towards winter accelerates.

The estate auction of fellow ice boater John Eastman features his Meade and Gambit (built by Lloyd Roberts), plus other nautical and aviation treasures:
Full Auction: https://www.proxibid.com/EstateBid-Auction/Estate-Auction-for-Renowned-Hobbyist-John-Eastman/event-catalog/282017

Meade: https://www.proxibid.com/Meade-E-Skeeter-Iceboat-Ice-Racer/lotInformation/94895594
Gambit: https://www.proxibid.com/Gambit-1-Iceboat-designed-and-built-by-Lloyd-Roberts/lotInformation/94895595

My personal favorite, a Vintage Standard Gauge Fairmount Motorcar for exploring the 100,000+ miles of abandoned railroad track throughout the country. No doubt something John was planning but ran out of time.
https://www.proxibid.com/Vintage-Standard-Gauge-Fairmount-Motorcar-Railway-Car-with-Trailer/lotInformation/94071305

Read Jory Squib’s tribute to John on the Chickawaukie Ice Boat Site: https://iceboat.me/2024/11/11/in-memoriam/

Time to get ready for ice season. Our annual swap meet will again be at Thompson Motor Speedway, Thompson, CT. Details coming soon.

Think Ice,

John
john@neiya.org
DN5023

Hey Gang-

This video has been around for a long time and I wanted to get it out there as it is one of my favorites!

It is a behind-the-scenes look at every aspect of designing and building the 12 Meter yacht that won the America’s Cup in 1987.

Some very smart people are involved and it is very interesting to see how they went about deciding what type of boat to design, which avenues to pursue, which ones to ignore, and how they investigated and verified all of their conclusions. They even talk about how they raised the money to pay for it all! Lots of cool footage of everything from sailing to tank testing to design meetings.

I know 12 Meter yachts are a world away from iceboats but the concepts and ideas presented in the documentary are relevant and applicable to iceboating, whether you are racing or cruising!

Watch, learn and enjoy!

NOVA: Sail Wars (1986) | America’s Cup Comeback ⛵🏆 – YouTube

NOVA: Sail Wars (1986) | America’s Cup Comeback ⛵🏆

New Hampshire Boat Museum

The first advice I received when I retired was, “Don’t volunteer for anything for 1 year.” Good advice to give you time to prioritize everything on your retired “to do” list. I think I held out for 6 months. Anyway since I’d already done some stuff with the NHBM, I figured it wasn’t new so it didn’t really qualify. It started as 3 hours on Monday morning with a great group of retired boat people restoring wooden boats for the museum housed in the old Allen Albee summer resort in Wolfeboro, NH. Three hours a week wasn’t too much time to devote to something I liked doing and the coffee and donuts were good. 10 years later I realized my mistake! As anyone knows, volunteering for a worthwhile cause always exceeds the estimated time you feel you can give. Three years ago the museum acquired its new home now on route 25 in Moultonboro, NH. That’s up the north end of Lake Winnipesaukee. My 5 minute drive is now a forty minute drive. For some reason I don’t clearly recall, my wife and I became part of the exhibits committee as well. Notice how my free time is diminishing. To add to this, the new museum needed volunteers to refurbish the new digs to make it really look like a museum. Thus I was back to a 40 hour workweek, still fueled by coffee and donuts with a few nice lunches thrown in on occasion.

To get back to the title, my off season this year was to help with construction and design the ice boat display. Naturally I have my own vision of what it should be, but then reality hits with space, number and types of craft, and acquisition of said craft. The museum had a Marconi rigged stern steerer from a few years back. (It was one of my first restoration projects with them.) A sweet little number that is still ice worthy even with cotton sails. This was to be the focal piece and does have a commanding presence. Although I could have easily expanded to at least 20 boats, I don’t really have that much authority…….yet. A DN would obviously need to go in along with the “Blue Streak” development story. Luckily I had recently acquired one from the last NEIYA swap. I thought it should look pretty so after another 40 hr work week I think visitors will get the idea of what the early DNs were like. This one is estimated early ‘60s based on sail info. A future display may have a modern one for a compare and contrast exhibit. (Now if only power ball would pay off so I could afford one.) a third item ended up being my wife’s Skimmer. Newly powder coated red with a new sail. (See previous post on diy.) due to the ease of setup and small storage needs, hopefully we may see growing interest. Maybe even a Skimmer Hardway fleet. And finally a trip to NY to get a loaner Ice Optimist. Another few days of labor had this one looking spiffy too. Right beside it is an Optimist dinghy that was built in one of the museums classes and used in their sailing program. Maybe we can get some youngsters involved in our winter activity. Lastly I felt that a Hardway display was needed since, after all, this is Winnipesaukee territory.

So this is how I spent my off season. Okay I’ll add a trip to Vermont to pick up a gaff stern steerer, originally from this area. Hopefully we can get a group of locals to do like the Hudson River group does and get these craft back on the ice.

So if you find yourself in New Hampshire this summer, stop by to get a quick fix for your winter passion and to see a great display of watercraft related to the waters of New Hampshire. Nhbm.org is their website. Now I think I can finally start working on my own soft water fleet that I didn’t get to in my other off season. Happy summer and think ice, if only in your drink.

This time of year, there’s a familiar hesitation to put fingers to the keyboard. Not writing about the inevitable finale to another iceboating season somehow delays it for another few days. The proverbial fat lady may be waiting in the wings, but she hasn’t sung just yet.

Moosehead Lake continues to defy the odds, offering late-season sailing when other venues have long since surrendered to spring. Just two weeks ago, the lake delivered with strong winds that kept some sailors on the sidelines, but for those who ventured out, it was some of the most exhilarating iceboating of the year. If you have not read the reports check out the CIBC’s site iceboat.me. But be prepared to kick yourself for not taking the drive. The high winds kept myself and others in the pit, but we tried.

The latest Moose chapter unfolded yesterday as Jeff Roseberry and Paul Chamberland set out for Moosehead in the pre-dawn hours, arriving yesterday morning with cautious optimism. Armed with a bit of intel but lacking any recent firsthand reports. No iceboaters had been on Moosehead for two weeks so they approached with measured hope. Their instincts proved correct. Moosehead was sailable! Jeff noted, the lake had finnaly melted down to reveal her original seasons Black Ice. The ice was bordered by a maze of frozen hummocks that formed a makeshift slalom course, that was as challenging as it was thrilling. The ice remained hard throughout the day.

Way to go Jeff and Paul for adding yet another highlight to your log of firsts, lasts and milestones and spreading ice envy across the ice tribe.

What’s next? Do we have another chance at Moosehead or any ice adventures further north in Quebec? Let’s see how the week goes and touch base on Thursday or before. Keep hope alive and let’s squeeze in another day on the ice before we sail on soft water.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

Iceboaters tend to fall into the DYIers of life category . Maybe it all started way back when with the Bluestreak 60 in Detroit, spurring on many home builders. A vast majority of ice craft that we see, tend to be either home built or purchased from a few skilled builders. Perhaps due to the limited time and places to sail, the sport has scared away the big factory entrepreneurs from hitting the market. Even to find the simple parts is becoming more limited. The first set of plate runners cost me $295 from that old reliable William B Sarns company. I’m not sure who produces them anymore. (I have a few sets so haven’t really been looking.) Thank you Northwind for picking up the slack out east for other hardware. Inset runners tend to be the most seen gear on the lakes, at least in the racing circles. The vintage sailors tend to brag about their “classic” gear such as cast iron, T iron, or iron shod runners, and of course their wooden mast. I will admit to not seeing too many cotton sail these days. I digress though. Even if you bought a starter boat, chances are you had some patching and painting to do. (Although I do know those who have hired this out.)

I think my DIY gene came from both my parents. My dad was a pattern maker by trade and had the tools and the knowledge to take a set of plans and produce a quality product. My mom was constantly sewing clothes for myself and 3 sisters. It only seemed natural that when I finally settled down in ice country that I make my own craft. With at least a dozen new craft and many more rehabs to my name, I still enjoy the Zen of the build. Whether it be hard or softwater, there is nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. That includes building them too.

This season found me refinishing my super DN after 30 some years of use and abuse and sewing a couple of new sails. One for my wife’s Skimmer, and a second for my friends. (Sailrite gave a good deal if I bought 2 kits. Okay so I didn’t lay out the sails myself, although I do have the book showing me how.) so with the old office counter top revamped as a sewing table, two new sails were completed, in time for the last sail of the season. They’ll be all set for next year as long as they keep the mice out!

My wife drew the line at me buying tools for a metal shop, but I did acquire a stick welder that has produced a few usable items. The grinder helped too. A local, “Maker Space” does have a nice setup if I desperately need to manufacture an obscure part.

So if you have been blessed, (cursed) with the DYI gene, embrace it and set your mind for the meditative zen of Doing It Yourself.

If you are on the fence about traveling to Moosehead tomorrow. Jeff Roseberry is set up and waiting. According to Jeff snow is not a factor. The snow can be brushed away with one’s hand.

Think Ice and remember the season’s end is right in front of you.

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

The word is out from our friends at the Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club (https://iceboat.me/) of Maine. There will be people prepared to sail Moosehead from Greenville boat ramp on Sunday morning @ 9:00 AM.

Looking like it will be cold and breezy. Heed Bill’s cautions and be prepared. For the latest go to https://iceboat.me/.

If anyone was planning on crossing into Canada to sail reach out to me directly and I will pass on contact info to get details directly.

Remember it is going to be a long hot spring, summer, and fall till we are back on the ice again. Questions, ping me.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

Spring has been teasing its arrival for weeks, but at 5:01 AM EST today, it’s official. And with it comes the possibility of one last shot on the ice.

Sailable ice is always a moving target, and this time of year brings added uncertainty. What might have looked like the end changes with the updated weather forecast. Currently, Moosehead Lake and a few cross-border locations near Montreal remain in play. But as with all late-season ice sailing, conditions are highly variable. We won’t have a definitive answer for another day or two.

So, hold off on packing away your ice boat gear just yet, there may still be one final ride before the season melts away.

We’ll convene on our conference call at 6:30 p.m. tonight for updates, though we are a day or so from more accurate info. Stay tuned here and on iceboat.me for reports from our friends in Maine.

Think Spring. Think Ice.

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

A hopeful group showed up to Brewster Beach in Wolfeboro NH to give Winnipesaukee a shot yesterday.

The ice was about 18” where we checked, a bit of slush on top. Very sailable!

BUT…. Not a bit of breeze. Apart from one or two “sucker puffs” there was nada.

Ah well, it was good to hang out and socialize a bit and we got to see Sean break out his summer wardrobe (you have to admit he’s got the legs for it) and the passing birds made good use of the mastheads!

Weekend Ice Sailing Report: Spring Conditions Beckon on Winnipesaukee

A dedicated group of ice sailors is set to take on Lake Winnipesaukee this weekend, launching from Brewster Beach in Wolfeboro, N.H. Vice Commodore Charlie Silfvenius has been closely monitoring conditions and believes the spring ice is primed for action with plenty of base ice and a hard(ish) surface to sail. There are no condition guarantees except that if you don’t show up you will not get to sail for sure.

For those who have sailed spring ice, you know the drill. As the sun climbs higher in the sky, conditions can change rapidly—what starts as a firm, fast surface in the morning may soften as the day progresses. The takeaway? Arrive early, rig fast, and get on the ice while it’s at its best. Some boats are already staged in the launch area, ready to capitalize on the prime morning conditions. If you have slush runners, pack them they could prove invaluable as temperatures rise if not don’t worry.

Eyes on Moosehead: Maine’s Next Big Ride?

Bill Buchholz, and other sailors have been racking up miles this week on Lake Pushaw, taking advantage of prime conditions. Now, all eyes are on the remote and expansive Moosehead Lake—one of the NEIYA’s must-sail destinations. If current forecasts hold, Moosehead could be ready for action late next week. If you’re considering the trip, start making plans this is one you won’t want to miss. Don’t forget to check The Chickawaukee Ice Boat Club website, iceboat.me, regularly for the latest happenings in Maine.

Sunapee: The Comeback Continues?

Whispers abound that Lake Sunapee may once again be sailable, with reports of sailors eyeing the ice for tomorrow. As of now, confirmation remains elusive, but we’ll provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.

Sail Fast, Sail Safe, and Embrace Spring Ice

There are no condition guarantees except that if you don’t show up you will not get to sail for sure. Spring ice sailing is a fleeting thrill. Stay safe, sail smart, and enjoy every run. More info as it materializes and we will have our regular call next Thursday 6:30 pm

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

This time of year is always last minute, as most of us know. The big lakes are there, waiting for the early morning attempts. Assemble a group and head north when the call goes out. Sure to be a topic tonight.

Other ice happenings this weekend: The Northern Maine Ice Busters (NMIB) are at it again with another record-breaking Ice Carousel attempt. This year, they’re going international with a spinning disk in the middle of the St. John River, spanning the United States and Canadian border.

I witnessed the world-record disk at 1,777 feet in diameter on Long Lake, St. David, Maine, back in 2023. It was quite a sight—an incredible feat of manpower, technology, and machinery.

This year’s International Ice Carousel is ready to start spinning starting tomorrow at the earliest. Good thing our Passports (Cards) have RFID chips to keep track of our entry and exit as the disk spins in the middle of the St. John.

An International Feat of Ice and Engineering

The NMIB are gearing up for their most ambitious project yet: the 2025 International Ice Carousel Attempt. March 14-16, 2025, this groundbreaking event will be held on the St. John River, bridging Van Buren, Maine, and St. Leonard, New Brunswick. Here is a link about the carousel construction

This attempt is unique not only for its scale but also for its international collaboration. NMIB plans to carve and rotate a massive 207-foot-wide ice carousel, marking the first time an ice carousel will span two countries. This effort is more than just an engineering challenge—it’s a symbol of unity and community spirit across borders.

The NMIB team hopes to attract visitors from both the U.S. and Canada, fostering cross-border connections and celebrating the region’s rich winter traditions.

So, grab your passports and keep driving past Loring AFB, site of many landsailing regattas, to the Crown of Maine—this is one icy adventure you won’t want to miss!

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

Five  of us sailed Sunapee on Sunday – Kate, Bob S, David, Jim and myself. Ice fisherman there had 30″ of ice. Surface was a bit rough but we were able to sail from the state beach through the narrows and across the main lake. Great day!  Some of the group went back early on Monday but I’ll leave that to them to update. Peter

We were able to sail all the way to the north end of the lake today. It was a fast trip up and back, we were done by 11:15 and the ice had turned to a soft slush fast. There were 4 of us. We didn’t waste time working our way back south covering eighteen miles round trip.

Kate Marone

Sunrise Tuesday morning temp 27: the surface looks better than yesterday, very little wind  and close to 50 today.
We spoke to a fisherman yesterday, he said there is 30 inches of ice near great island, there should be more sailing  in the future.
The launch at the beach is very good, keep your eye on the weather and take a chance if it looks good.

Bob S
P.S. On the way home there was a nordic skater at Newbury, the ice looked good.