Hey Folks-

We are looking to hold the Doc Fellows Regatta this Saturday, January 5.

Sites in VT, NH, and ME are being scouted and considered. We will see which one looks best over the next day or two.

Stay tuned to this site for updates- next on Thursday evening.

Think ICE!

While we wait to see what the weather event will do for / to the lakes over the next 24 hours take a moment to read the following email and take a look at the photo. This gentleman is psyched to have this boat and is wondering what exactly it is! I have to say I’m also curious as to what the building was used for.

In any case email me at t_thieler@yahaoo.com if you can identify the boat. Winner gets bragging rights!

Here is the email from the new owner:

“I recently became the owner of this boat below and I was wondering if you have any idea how old it is or any other information on it. It has a wooden mast and the boom and sail is visible behind it on the pipes. The cross brace/leg goes in the rear and the steering runner attaches at the front with a large bolt. Any information would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

Jim Oxenford”

…Some hard water sailors would say that is a contradiction in terms but nonetheless this is interesting to watch-

It’s the start of the Sydney to Hobart race yesterday (that’s Boxing Day in Australia)- they have a ton of entrants every race but the focus is on the five giant super-maxis that start first- they have big canting keels, big crews, big sails, big foils, BIG budgets, and not one of them can go as fast as a two-hundred dollar CheapSkate!

But check it out anyway. A good way to kill a half an hour before you go into the shop or out on the road to scout ice or better yet, go sailing.

Happy viewing! The five-minute gun is at 25 minutes into the broadast- THINK ICE!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5385&v=DBXcwvqcXFw

…Please bring us a good cold spell and a bunch of frozen lakes like the one in the picture….

Happy Holidays Everyone! Think ICE….

I’m sure most of us are doing family things today and if you are, show them this video from Denis Guertin. Maybe it will help them understand why you have a far away look and are a itching to get the holidays done and get back on the ice!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=xG55jnBw458

Hope Santa brings us all a deeeeeeep freeze!

The annual tune up clinic was held last weekend at Steve Lamb’s shop and was well attended in spite of the fact that there was sailable ice up in Maine! A tough choice for some but a good problem to have….

This author was not in attendance but I’ve been assured that there was quite a few new sailors in attendance and many tips and tricks and stories went around. Very sorry I missed it!

If history is any guide the food was also amazing-

Many thanks as always to Steve and his family for hosting the event and to everyone who participated. Hope everyone will be on the ice and well-prepped when things get cold again!

Happy Holidaze and. THINK ICE!!

Anyone lose a glove and/or a face mask? Contact commodore T at 401 258 6230 to reclaim…

Dave Fortier had his camera out and sent these shots along from the Easterns- no wind Sunday but nice time gabbing on the ice!

The 2018 Eastern Champs are in the books! Thanks to Chad Atkins for making it happen and getting the regatta in before the year is out!

Great Pond in Belgrade, Maine was the place. It was, well, great. Nice ice, big plate, good launch area, nice hotel just up the road- can’t ask for more than that right? But we got more….

The turnout was good, a great mix of relatively new blood plus some seasoned DN vets, as well as some special guests from some far off lands…. Kent Baker and his wife Erica drove out with David Frost and his daughter Audrey from Ohio and Michigan, respectively. Kent and Dave sailed while Erica and Audrey ran races and kept score. VERY stoked that this group rolled east to join the fun and all of us NEIYA gang send a HUGE thank you to Erica and Audrey for taking on the gig. This goes especially for Audrey- she just finished her first semester at U. Michigan and no doubt would rather have been ANYWHERE besides the Maine boondocks!

Breeze was spotty early Saturday but four races were sailed (maybe only three counted, depends on who you ask….) once it filled in a bit. Matt Knowles is getting dialed in and took fifth, David Frost made his drive worthwhile with a fourth, Long Island’s Chris Miller is getting on the pace and edged out Chad Atkins for second, and Commodore T was able to take the top spot.

Sunday was a wash as far as racing was concerned (no breeze) but a good time had by all gabbing it up on the ice and watching the eagles fly by- Matti Bradley was out and took a TON of great photos (click here to see! https://idniyra2018greatpond.shutterfly.com/4 ).

The midwest gang loaded up and bolted and we are happy to report that Erica was dropped off at work Monday morning with a full 15 minutes to spare. Talk about cutting it close! Thanks again to everyone who competed and stay tuned for more! Think ICE….

Eastern DN champs are underway- three races in today and more scheduled for tomorrow-

If you’d like to sail tomorrow please come up! Late entries welcome. Email Chad Atkins at Catkins4487@gmail.com
if you’d like to sail tomorrow. See previous posts further down for launch at lodging info.

Great day of sailing today on GREAT ice and a variety of wind strengths. Thanks to The Bakers and The Frosts for making the trip East to sail and keep score!

Results so far are below-

Pub Boat Landing Rd
Pub Boat Landing Rd, Belgrade, ME 04917
https://maps.app.goo.gl/abzFy

Here are coordinates:
44°31’10.1″N 69°52’25.3″W

Pub Boat Landing Rd
Pub Boat Landing Rd, Belgrade, ME 04917
https://maps.app.goo.gl/abzFy

Funs beginning soon

Chad