Tomorrow’s The NEIYA Swap Meet 10/26 ~ Spreading the Word Far & Wide
Don’t forget, the NEIYA Swap Meet, Lunch, and Meeting is just a day away! Have you checked off everything on your to-do list? Make sure you’ve paid your dues, secured your spot for lunch, and sorted out what gear you’re bringing to the swap at Thompson Speedway. Don’t wait—take care of it today!
Donated Legacy Boats Update: I have spoken to several people who are interested in the four boats. Looks like they are spoken for, but they still have to be picked up. I can’t tell for sure but there may be some last-minute changes. Reach out to me for details and be sure to seek me out tomorrow morning early.
Event Details:
What: NEIYA Swap Meet, Lunch & Meeting
When: Saturday, October 26th, 10:00 am
Where: Thompson Speedway Golf Course,
205 E Thompson Rd, Thompson, CT 06277
Google Maps Link
Don’t miss this chance to kick off the season, reconnect with fellow members, and find gear to complete your setup. It’s also the ideal time to pay your 2025 dues and reserve your spot for our annual luncheon and meeting. All are welcome to join!
Please Pay Your Dues
| Dues Time | Price | |
| 2025 Membership | $30 |
 |
| 2025 Membership + Lunch | $45 |
|
| 2025 Membership + 2X Lunch | $60 |
|
| 2025 Lunch (11/19/2024) | $15 |
|
| Mail in Form We prefer you pay online – Thanks | ||
Do not wait till after the swap met to begin preparing for the season. It’s been a long summer and if you have not already shifted to thinking about iceboating, now is the time. Drag your gear out set it up in the driveway and be sure you have everything. Have anything extra in storage? Now is the perfect time to free up some storage. Put it up in the classified section. Remember your older equipment may be far better than what someone else has now.
Till then Think Ice,
John
DN5023
John@neiya.org
One Week Till Our NEIYA Swap Meet 10/26 ~ Spreading the Word Far & Wide
The NEIYA Swap Meet, Lunch, and Meeting is a week away. Have you paid your dues, Lunch, and figured out what you are going to haul to the swap at Thompson Speedway? Do it today see you on Saturday.
Three of the four donated legacy boats are spoken for. If you are interested contact me before the swap meet.
We all serve as ice ambassadors and are responsible for spreading the ice boating word.
On Wednesday night we answered that call. In response to an invitation from the Lowell Boat Shop (LBS), initiated by member Frank Morris, Eben Whitcomb, James “T” Thieler, and I made the journey to the renowned birthplace of the dory to share the excitement of iceboating. We were warmly greeted by an enthusiastic crowd on the historic deck overlooking the Merrimack. Three seasoned iceboaters, two iceboats, and an eager crowd made for the perfect learning environment.
There were discussions about how iceboats fit into the history of boating. T whipped the crowd into a frenzy with tales from the gold fleet and a review of the differences between a 1960’s and modern DN.
The crowd broke up about 8:30 and everyone had a sense of wonder on their faces. Our reward was several audience members promising to come down to Thompson for the Swap Meet and capped off with a private tour of the Lowell Boat Shop.
See you Next Saturday…
NEIYA Swap Meet, Lunch & Meeting Information:
When: Saturday, October 26th, 10:00am
Where: Thompson Speedway Golf Course, 205 E Thompson Rd, Thompson, CT 06277
https://goo.gl/maps/DbGpTekm4ZLNnV8n7
Now is a perfect time to pay your 2025 dues and reserve your seat at our annual Luncheon and Meeting. All are welcome to attend.
Please Pay Your Dues
| Dues Time | Price | |
| 2025 Membership | $30 |
|
| 2025 Membership + Lunch | $45 |
|
| 2025 Membership + 2X Lunch | $60 |
|
| 2025 Lunch (11/19/2024) | $15 |
|
| Mail in Form We prefer you pay online – Thanks | ||
Do not wait till after the swap met to begin preparing for the season. It’s been a long summer and if you have not already shifted to thinking about iceboating, now is the time. Drag your gear out set it up in the driveway and be sure you have everything. Have anything extra in storage? Now is the perfect time to free up some storage. Put it up in the classified section. Remember your older equipment may be far better than what someone else has now.
Till then Think Ice,
John
DN5023
John@neiya.org
As chilly temps set in, our New England iceboat enthusiasts gathered for our weekly call, eager to hear updates on potential sailing spots with smooth black ice. By the end of the call, we had one confirmed Eastern US location as of 7pm. Tom Miller shared details about conditions on Lincoln Pond in Elizabethtown, NY, just off NY Thruway Rt 87. They plan to sail there until the snow arrives. While a bit beyond our usual New England sailing grounds, we’ve ventured into the Adirondacks before, and after all, ice is ice is nice.
Bill Buchholz has been keeping an eye on Plymouth Pond and other venues in Maine, signaling that it’s nearing readiness, pending a final check today (Friday). Intel is circulating, indicating a favorable outlook, but please verify on www.iceboat.me before making any travel plans. Depending on the weather, conditions could be excellent well into next week. Could there be a regatta in Maine next week? Time will tell.
For those interested in cross-border sailing, our Canadian friends have been scouting and sailing Lake of Two Mountains outside Montreal in Vaudreuil. If you’re considering a trip, reach out, and I can connect you with Andre Baby.
Looking ahead, our local lakes and ponds are beginning to skim over, setting us up for the rest of the season.
In case you missed it, VC Charlie Silfvenius showcased his lifelong iceboating experiences in a recent post featured on Scuttlebutt Sailing News on Wednesday: https://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2024/01/03/first-ride-the-start-of-it-all/. Kudos to Charlie for introducing around 55k+ people to iceboating through Scuttlebutt. Imagine if we could convert just one percent of their audience to join us on the ice—now that would be something! Charlie thanks for reminding us all about our first time…
A word of caution as we embark on this new season: the ice is fresh, and many of us haven’t sailed yet this year. Exercise extreme caution, inquire with locals, and sail with heightened awareness until you fully understand the nature of potential hazards in the area.
Think Ice and Sail Fast,
John
DN5023
John@neiya.org
New England Ice Yacht Association 