Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

Funny how things work out. When the MIT DN team had it’s first ever outing, it was on Sabattus Pond in 2015. Today, the kernel of a Northeastern University DN racing tam was planted in to the very same fertile ice of Sabattus. Below, Jack and Ted; missing from this shot are the three women: Julianne, Sandra and the mystery room mate.

Three DN’s and the five very enthusiastic and skilled sailors took turns doing laps with the big boats. We had set up marks for them to which they took to like ducks to water. The wind was variable, switching from west to north and back again. One lap would be a reaching drag race and the other your classic upwind-downwind: great training conditions. As often happens on the ice, a new guy was interested in giving it a try so he was offered one of the DN’s and brought it back in one piece with a big grin. The hook was set. Tom, you hearing this?

Eddie Zelonish had his new Cheapskate out and Andy Donovan and Lee and Karin with their Gambits. Ralph Ferguson had his new Pocket skeeter, made famous at Loring last summer, on the ice for the first time. Rob Dmitrof has moved up from his Lockley Skimmer to a DN, biding his time until his Renegade restoration is done.

The shell ice never quite got the recovery last night we had hoped for and so breaking through just became part of the day. It seemed to heal as the day went on, even with above freezing temps. It was always a treat if the guy in front of you broke through, got slowed, and you could sneak past him.

Charlie sends this report from Wentworth:
“Ice skates holding good with 5-6” of textured grey and no snow. Eastern plate is best and biggest but a few drain holes have formed on the far end. New long open lead between Triggs Island and the old ridge by Albee. South end of stamp act had a 4-10 foot open lead all the way up to shore. Kitewingers here today with a newbie dn.”

Thanks Charlie!

Rest of the week up in the air for now.

We got on the plate at Martins Point launch where the ice is still tight to the ramp, but slightly submerged and covered with a puddle. Trailers can get down to the left of that puddle. A stream lead is off to the right, looking out, extending quite far. Be aware. We plan to show up around 9am and begin to mark hazzards. The sailing should be great.

The plate looks great. There is a thin film of water skimmed with ice. You’ll probably bump over our footprints tomorrow. It is four inches everywhere; very little variation. Ice is hard and will give us a 7ish surface. There is one open crack crossing the lake, and we found two drainholes that could eat a runner, but just barely. There might be others.

We checked the north end from Nason’s Beach, below, and found pretty much the same conditions. There was a flock of birds on the ice off in the distance. We don’t know if they had an open hole to hang out in or were just standing on the ice waiting for a cast off fish from the fishermen.

Most of Damariscotta is open again, except Muscongus Bay. It’s hanging in there with 3″. Could recover by the end of the week if it get as cold as predicted, especially as the wind forecast is minimal. Wind could become the issue mid-week just as we get some good ice. Good news coming in from Squam and Wentworth as well. Stand by for updates from there.

With the heavy rain and warm temps overnight, chances are that the lake won’t be fit for sailing tomorrow. We plan on scouting it in the morning and will report back here as soon as possible for sailing on Monday. The rest of the week looks great as temps drop.

With the heavy rain and warm temps overnight, chances are that the lake won’t be fit for sailing tomorrow. We plan on scouting it in the morning and will report back here as soon as possible for sailing on Monday. The rest of the week looks great as temps drop.

Shall ever the two meet? It’s not often, if ever, you see a wind forecast for 0, but that’s what it is for Sabbattus tomorrow. A second forecast couldn’t quite bring themselves to be so brutally honest, so went with 1mph.But Sunday is still looking good, with a nice wind and a refreshed surface after a spot of rain Saturday.

Speaking of refresher, here’s an ice safety tutorial from Finland, 1968. They used to play this at the movie theaters all winter right after the newsreel, before the main show. In the humble opinion of your reporter, this IS the main show:

https://yle.fi/aihe/artikkeli/2006/10/05/tietoisku-legendaarinen-jaavaroitus?utm_campaign=yleeläväarkisto&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR0UNuWst6xCs_4tBkKPIy0d32kCQLA8pWU34R6FuSoNUmRnl_MhwVI-pyc