Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

After a week of gale winds, snow squalls, and multiple trips across the border, the wind settled down just enough to give our small fleet multiple fast laps of the lake. The surface was excellent, with only a few wind holes, easily spotted.

Rounded up at the north end in our favorite lee. Just ashore is what might pass as a camp, so we investigated:

It is some one’s idea of paradise, but it would appear that it hasn’t had much recent use. We rectified that for a few peaceful moments out of the wind.

Next time we’ll have to bring lunch and set up the table.

Herb Crosby stopped by and took these photos and video in the pits:

Pushaw Ice Boating 2025 app.goo.gl

Ice Boating at Pushaw youtu.be

Thanks Herb!

Forecast looks unsure. There might be snow tomorrow, but Damariscotta is on the south edge of the system: it could go either way. We will scout the lake before the snow to see what we got. We have momentum!

There’s still one boat set up at Goulds, and since we haven’t explored the whole lake yet we will attempt it tomorrow. Winds are supposed to have moderated by then; we were blown off yesterday and are hunkering down today.

Looks about like this.

There is an open hole between the entrance to Goulds and Dollar Island. It bears about 2:00 when headed out of the pit area. Hopefully it will be marked. There may be others undiscovered. The wind is keeping spots from freezing. If the wind dies and these holes skim over, watch out for different ice with a white beard at the leeward end.

You’ve all heard the mantra “Never Sail Alone”. It is probably the most oft repeated instruction. It can be taken to mean that one shouldn’t go out sailing on a lake alone; clear enough. But it also means that even when there is a group of iceboats, always sail within that group WITH YOUR BUDDY. Stay in eye contact, give thumbs up or a nod when you pass close by, and don’t go back to the pits or wander away without your buddy knowing. The best way to communicate a change in plans is to stop your boat and get out. This will alert your buddy, who always has his eye on you, that you need to talk. Maybe you want to go back to the pits, or maybe you want to extend your sailing territory. STAY IN TOUCH ALL THE TIME.

These same rules apply to sailing in a small fleet to a common destination. If one boat stops, you all stop. And you know the one boat has stopped because you are watching. It might take a minute to register, especially if you are up front. If you are way out front, circle back and pick up the stragglers. Stragglers, please don’t you circle back, too.

Pushaw is ON for tomorrow. It has not been properly scouted aside from the first bay on the east side; a left turn as you leave the pits. We will attempt to sail the entire lake tomorrow. The above rules apply.

Here’s a link to a presentation at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum on the history of the Skeeter class at their monthly Think & Drink. Presented by Mike Peters and Deb Whitehorse.

Wisconsin Maritime Museum Presentation docs.google.com

Fresh from the Central Region DN Regatta, Milo Fleming shows off his fisrt place trophy in the Silver division. Way to go Milo!

Sailing in Maine today at Pushaw Lake was wonderful, as reported by T:

There’s great ice everywhere. Great Pond is reported to be completely frozen with very nice ice.
But for now, we are all going to Pushaw. Come join the fun. It looks like it will last a good while.

This was taken this morning looking north. West side scouted heavily, east side less so, Nils’s holes still open in the south end.

Should be great sailing tomorrow.

Thanks Bob!