Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

I was driving home from the action on Winny , and gave Bill a call to see if he was still on the road, But he was in fact home. There was such a crowd at the boat launch that I had not noticed his leaving before me. He was in fact already home. He said that he and Jim were going to Dammy on Monday. I got to thinking that I would check the wind forecast, and that I was already loaded up. When I got home I sat at my computer to look at the windcast etc., and read an email that made Sebago sound like the place to go (Pat Keely just sent in this report from Jordan Bay and the site selection committee has unanimously decided to go there tomorrow instead of Dammariscotta.) so I left the DN on the rack, and backed all into the basement.

Arrived at Raymond Beach about mid morning, James Turner with his Cheap Skate from Penobscot Bay Area being assembled, slight breeze. Both boats assembled by about 1100, and in the meantime a couple from Portland arrived with a Classic DN. Wind picked up to sailable velocity, so ready sailors, DN and Cheap skate, went to check er out. I sailed out and, and was able to stop and talk with several ice-fishing parties. I asked of fishes caught, and ice thickness. I was on ice that I measured about four days prior at about 3 inches. The reports that the fishermen gave were 4-6 in different locations, this was in the new ice area that is to the north of Whites bridge. This ice was essentially black ice with a few bubbles.

The conditions were good for what they are. The entire plate was good when we started, but after 1200 the snow ice started softening. There was a plate of black ice the full width of the bay 50-75 yards long. The ice fishermen that were there were iceboat friendly and said that they had NO problem with me flying past them at 50:) BTW skaters could have gone much further, there was a bit of a pressure ridge that I did not choose to cross as I was not sure about the wind holding. The wind that we had was pretty good, the DNer sailing two up with his girl was having trouble in the softening snow ice and when I pointed out the black ice area they were having a good time.

We did have to get back to the launch with a bit of walking, but it was no problem as the 3/16th runners I was using stayed on top of the ice when I was not in the boat, So, pushing the boom with one hand and walking for maybe 1/2 mi or so not a problem. A good time was had by all

Dave

Mike Acebo filming Bobby Strzeliewicz. Check out that ice!

iCloud – Download “IMG_4716.m4v”

Three boats showed up at Jordan Bay yesterday, but the best wind held off until after lunch. It was working overtime on Clarey Lake where two Nites, two Mini Skeeters and a Whizz did laps around the course with storm sails. By the time the breeze was up on Jordan Bay the ice was softening in the warm temps.

Nonetheless, on ice like that it doesn’t take much. Thanks to James Turner for the photo and report. Note the pressure ridge in the background. This part of Sebago seems to be a breeding ground for cracks and ridges.

Karen Binder sent out a great report on the NE Champs held this past weekend on Winnipesaukee. We look forward to the complete results soon. http://www.theneiya.org

Lastly, for those who haven’t had enough trips to the mid-west this season the ISA has been tentatively called on for Madison. Final call will be tomorrow at 1:00 EST. http://www.iceboat.org for updates.

After a fairly epic bike ride the length of the lake today and consultation with several of the wise ones we’ve decided not to try a Hardway on Wednesday. The ice is fairly thin right now especially considering there is little if any open water and there are many hazards large and small. Every day the pressure ridges are different and new ones pop up. The ice from 3 Mile Isl. to Center Harbor is very very rough, and blocked by one of the biggest pressure ridges we encountered.
Our feeling is Wednesday might be a great sailing day from Wolfeboro, and there will be boats sailing, but none of us familiar with the lake on a daily basis and making this call feel like now is the time for a Hardway.
We are hoping to do a 3rd Hardway in 3 years so stay tuned.
Lee

On Monday Lee and Karin and perhaps others will be riding bikes on the ice from Center Harbor to Wolfeboro to scout for a potential Hardway on Wednesday. Wednesday the last day before snow. We know the ice is very rough out from Center Harbor quite a ways. We will further check the pressure ridges which are changing daily. After consulting with Charlie Sylvanius and a further check on the weather we will make a call Monday night or Tuesday morning.Stay tuned.
Lee Spiller