All,

Hey Folks- NE champs on for today- Pushaw Lake is the place. Launch at Gould’s Landing in Orono ME. There are a few pressure rushes between the launch and the racing area so don’t leave launch without talking w people who have been out- but racing area is good!! First start at 1030 or so- Apologies for not posting here last night- will be more consistent in the future!

As of right now the 2018 DN NEW ENGLAND CHAMPS are ON for Saturday December 8 at Pushaw Lake bear Bangor ME. Stay tuned to this site for details !

As of right now the 2018 DN EASTERNS are ON for Saturday December 8 at Pushaw Lake bear Bangor ME. Stay tuned to this site for details !

Hey Folks-

Get your gear together! Regatta Chairman Steve Madden is at it already. We may just get the regatta slate for 2018 filled after all!

Looking at holding 2018 NE’S Saturday 12/8 on Pushaw lake in Maine.

Will make final call later today pending other ice reports including Pushaw. About 80% sure at this time it will be Pushaw.

Stay tuned to this site for updates and instructions. Get your stuff together!

Newbury Harbor Lake Sunapee

The season is upon us. There is a report of ice that might be sailable on Pushaw Lake in Maine. Details on the Chickawaukie Club site https://iceboat.me.

The above drive by siting was sent to me this evening and looks very encouraging. The picture is from the southern end of lake Sunapee from Newbury Harbor.

More news here and on the ice hotline as it becomes available. Maybe some sailing this weekend!

It’s been said many times before but still applies be careful especially during the start of the season. Don’t venture out alone.

Remember the Tune Up Clinic is next Saturday the 15th.  I am looking into making another group stone purchase. They will be from Boride and a variety of grits. I do not have a final price yet but looking to gauge interest. Email me below if interested

Think Ice,

John
john@neiya.org

P.S. anything from Vermont?

Atkins and Chris “FishStick” Gordon after sailing Battle Lake today.

The faces tell the story. Atkins: mouth open and babbling like a lunatic. Gordon: Silently grinning like an idiot.

We all wish we wuz there!

Give them hell when racing starts tomorrow!

Atkins and Gordon got on the ice today. No written report (just as well if you know what I mean) but the photos are worth a lot.

If you’re on the way there, looks like you have a lot to look forward to.

If you’re stuck back east start kickin’ yourself!

Think ICE….

This was on Reddit- someone found their grandfathers 8mm films of iceboats tearing it up on Lake Winnebago…. TOO COOL!!!

Click and feast here to see:

https://www.reddit.com/r/OldSchoolCool/comments/a0zfjn/great_grandfathers_8mm_film_of_iceboating_on_lake/

First NE brigade has hit the rendezvous point for Great Western Challenge. Atkins and Gordon are in Battle Lake MN. Look it up, it’s out there! Sailing starts either this afternoon or tomorrow depending on how beat up they are from the drive. Stay tuned….

The season has begun…. Sailors from all over New England and Canada are headed west, bound for somewhere in Minnesota for the big kick-off….

Stay tuned for photos and updates from our representatives on the road. I will be getting reports from Chad Atkins, Chris Gordon, Jeff Kent and Bernd Zeiger. I will do my best to translate them into things normal people can actually understand and relate to.

For “official” regatta news click here: http://iceboating.net/

Good luck to all- drive safe, sail safe, kick some butt and know that those of us left behind are insanely jealous….

Think ICE!

Picked up from the Chickawaukie Ice Boat Clubs site https://iceboat.me. They are making ice and keeping a watchful eye on things. Thanks for the report Bill. We are all looking forward to sailing soon. Some are eye balling progress in Minnesota but do believe even more are are betting on Maine. Any word out of VT? Thanks for the encouraging eye (ice) candy Thanks Bill…

Ice is coming Think Harder

Just to keep the juices flowing, here’s a shot of the narrows on Damariscotta Lake, looking north

The ice is about 3/4”, and was strong enough to withstand the gusts of wind which caused it to heave up and down, crackling in the pebbles and bullrushes alongshore. The main body of the lake is still open. This might not survive the warm front moving through Sunday through Tuesday, but what that front might do is give Plymouth Pond a surface. It hasn’t been checked since before this deep cold snap but it’s bound to be a few inches by now.
Anyone close by there willing to go have a look?