Well, almost. There are still a couple of boats on the ice hoping to chase puffs tomorrow. For the rest of us two days of blasting around the entire lake, top to bottom, on clear ice with winds 10-15 steady with many exciting gusts is a hard act to follow.
One of the lessons learned today was when hiking upwind, do NOT head up. Unless you are in complete control, falling off hard is always the default safety move. A very difficult instinct for long time soft water sailors to internalize, but critical for the safety of both you and your boat.
Yesterday there were over twenty-five boats, as well as skaters and spectators galore. Apparently there was enough activity in the pits to keep lookers interested. The MIT Sailing Team was back, this time with fifteen sailors. There were great about sharing the five DN’s they brought, so there was always comings and goings. Thanks again to Professor Brisson for taking the time to share his passion for iceboating with these remarkable young folks. And we hope that Lucy can restrict getting her feet wet to summertime sailing…
In the background is the tricky, but well worn path around the pressure ridge. Yes, that’s open water. On both sides.
A small fleet made the trip all the way up the our old clubhouse at Damariscotta Lake Farm. Bob MacKewen scouted what must have been the most interesting route through the maze of leads and pressure ridges plaguing the east side of the lake. The boats above were soon joined by a couple of DN’s, one of which had a very first time sailor riding in a side car. I told her that we usually don’t do such crazy stuff as this (contrary to public opinion) and she shot back: “Why Not!?” Let’s get this girl a boat!
Jack has nearly completed the conversion from iceboat clubhouse extrordinaire to a fine little year round house. He’s been wondering where we’ve been all winter and was happy to have us drop in. Everyone who spent time there will be relieved to know that nearly all the cleat marks in the soft pine floor sanded out. What a special place that is, and now the ice up there is as good or better than the south end, open water notwithstanding. The southern half of Great Bay, above photo, is an easy ten, and with the fresh wind it was intoxicating sailing.
But that’s all moot now, or will be by tomorrow at this time. Big snow coming. Again.
Reflective moment in Deep Cove pondering our fabulous good luck with the ice this season. We can’t dare hope we’ll have more days like this, but deep down we know spring is coming. Long warm days, cold nights, March winds and mud in the pits.
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club 