Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

Had to check it out, loaded the DN onto the car this morning and drove on up. When I arrived there was a lone ice fishing couple out on the ice at 1130. I walked out and talked a bit, they had indeed hooked a couple of pickerel. I felt just a bit of a breeze so checked the windcast, found that they forecast a BIT of increase. So, I chose to set her up. I set the DN up and used my 3/16 inserts that were perfect as the powder depth was just shy of 1.5 inches. The wind increase as forecast was not happening so had a nice nap time in the sun on the ice. Then broke her down and loaded her up and drove south. I wanted to include a couple of photos, but having a bit of trouble with my wordpress skillset.

Turnout for the Linc Davis was up by a third from last year. Four DN’s raced on smooth hard ice, full sun and ten degrees. Wind was a wonderful 8-10: low enough to keep the wind chill at bay but big enough to bend masts and hike. Thanks to Bryce Geele for running the racing, taking photos and counting laps.

Race 1:
Guy Pollyblank:1 Bill Buchholz:2 Jim Gagnon:3 Tyler Vroman:DNS

Race 2:
Bill Buchholz:1 Guy Pollyblank:2 Jim Gagnon: 3 Tyler Vroman:DNS

Race 3:
Bill Buchholz:1 Gy Pollyblank:2 Tyler Vroman :3 Jim Gagnon:4

Racing was close, with wind shifts and light spots giving many lead changes. The ice was 3+” and flawless, except for a thin spot deep in the marshes.

This lovely plate of ice is just at the northern edge of the latest blizzard track. If only an inch or less falls it will probably blow clear. We’ll check in with the spies later today for an update and post it here. Friday looks good for sailing, Saturday offers light and variable at this point.

Just to clarify, we will be holding the Linc Davis regatta tomorrow. At the Fall meeting, all eight members present voted to hold the regatta on the first ice at Plymouth. It might have been a bit unclear in the previous post.
The thinking is that the CICB has become rather lazy regarding DN racing, and whereas we’re usually at Plymouth early on, why not just do it then? It’s not generally the way to hold a regatta, with notice at noon on the preceding Wednesday, but it’s better than having the cup sitting alone gathering dust in some closet. The names go back to 1978!

Come and get it…

Plymouth was partially scouted today, and the plan was to complete the scout tomorrow and call it ON for the weekend. But an impending snow crisis Thursday suggests we should just scout in the morning and then sail the day away.

There is 2″ perhaps about half way across. With tonight’s deep cold it will be an easy three by tomorrow. Marks will be set, the Linc Davis Cup will be contested.

No, not en mass, unfortunately. And not in Maine. But good old Quabog Pond is fully locked in with an inch according to Bob Strzelewicz.

Warmer temps in the coming days don’t bode well, but as Bob observes: “at least Mother nature hasn’t forgotten how to make ice!”

Plymouth Pond has come and gone, and it doesn’t look promising in the coming week. Even in Greenville the daytime temps are above freezing for many days.

Meanwhile keep these wise words in mind because we will be sailing soon:

1. When I get to the launch site, I’ll unload everything
quickly, without lots of chatting with other folks.

2. If there’s someone else unloading, I’ll offer to help
with boats, since sometimes two people can
get two boats on the ice faster than they can set up
one boat each.

3. As soon as I’m done unloading, I’ll move my car away
from the launch point/ramp/whatever. THEN I’ll finish
assembling the boat(s). I’ll do this even if I’m one
of the first people at the site.

4. If I see someone who looks new to the ice, I’ll
introduce myself, and mention our club, even if it
means I’ll spend a few minutes less on the ice myself.

5. I’ll ask others about hazards before I hoist my sail.

6. I’ll pause for a moment each time I sail to think
about the risks, about safety, about who’s on the
ice and how safely they seem to handle their boats, etc.

7. I’ll stay “two mistakes away” from danger — my mistake
and the other guy’s.