Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

Ice less rough, sun less warm, wind still full on: another great day. Marks were set in the morning and the first Mini Skeeter Easterns were attempted. Three boats lined up, and it was a close duel between the top two boats. Race one was a photo finish dead heat tie. Race two was Chris Malliet’s, second Bob MacEwen, third Bobby Able. There was no race three because we all decided to go touring in the south end to find a nice spot for lunch. A splendid cruise ensued, hitting all the smoothest plates. Most of the fleet sailed at similar speeds, we stayed close, and the racing was sublime. Who need marks when you have islands?

Lighter winds for tomorrow; it might be the last day as it tapers down to light and variable Sunday. Marks are still up!

And the latest from Bob at Webster:

“7 boats on friday wind 15+ some bionick runs back at it tomorrow winds 10 to 13, sailing my ass off until it melts next week.”

Bob S

Regarding Winnipesaukee, Hard Way is being SCOUTED: no sailing event planned at this TIME! Once the wind dies Sunday a warm spell sets in. If the lake comes out the other end smelling like roses, them we’ll have something.

Bob S. will be sailing Webster today with a few other boats.

Here’s some news from New Hampshire. Ignore that nasty line about spring: just fake news. The real news is that Winnipesaukee is being scouted for the Hard Way. Be ready to roll!

Strong and gusty winds kept many sailors away today, but with temps in the low thirties, full sun and snug rigs on the Whizz, it was wonderful day. Ice is still rough at the north end, nice south of the narrows. The River, again, has the nicest of all. A nice spot out of the wind was found for lunch:

And just to hit all the spots before we loose the ice we made a visit to dear old Deep Cove. It was flukey getting in there with the west wind, but well worth it. Note the ice quality here. The camera got all emotional and fogged up:

Slightly softer winds forecast tomorrow, but if you think about the number of days not sailed due to strong winds, it behooves the hungry sailor to prepare as best he can. Storm sail, storm mast, sharp runners and all pins taped. On rough ice in big winds like we had today one is reminded yet again what a thrashing a well found iceboat can take and come out smiling. Big smiles on the skippers, too.

Jordan Bay access at Raymond Beach. I drove onto the ice with my VW and launched my DN. There was no wind at noon so I pushed my boat out to the smooth ice in hopes of enough wind to get my DN moving. Indeed, when I got to the smooth sheet there was enough wind to make a few tacks and get me out to the middle of the bay. The wind then vanished and I walked the 1.5-2 miles back to the car. It was about 1430 when I got back to the car and I was going to break down the boat and pack up. Just as I got out of my boat the wind started to pick up, so I picked up the bow and pointed it back out, gave a shove and hopped in, I sailed a couple of tacks back and forth across the bay in the launch area, and the wind seemed to be increasing. So I headed out to the bay area that I just walked back from, and I was rewarded with a half dozen upwind downwind full speed runs. Life was good, The wind did hold, and sailed back to the car/launch with a smile. 

About a quarter of a mile from the launch area the ice smoothes some, then 1/2 mile out the ice quite smooth, not glass, but textured. At about 2-2.5 miles out there is a pressure ridge, I did not cross it as I did not need to. I did give it a look, and there were places that were crossable. When I asked ice fishermen the thickness about a mile out it was 12 inches. When I was inspecting the pressure ridge the thickness appeared to be 6-8. I was told that the entire bay was frozen, but I did not get the chance to inspect it. Just wanted to share what I have seen and sailed. It is a good size sheet of ice. I had a few good pictures, unfortunately my skills with WordPress not sufficient Cheers, Dave