Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

Tom Nichols took a long walk on the lake today from Lake Farm and noticed a number of crusty mounds. Too soft to go over yet too stiff to slice through. He saw more of them looking south, fewer looking north. Warm temps and sun today might do something with them, but just be careful. Don’t go plowing through until you know what they’ll do to your boat. Could be a good day for sharp slush runners.

They look about like this, yet the rest of the ice looks pretty good:

He drilled the ice and didn’t get through at 15”, the length of the drill bit. Access is excellent.

The lake seems to have survived to snow last night, the wind today, and the general weather confusion that we’ve been experiencing. Jim Gagnon and Linc Davis had a look today and report that it will probably be sailable Sunday. The winds will moderate, the temperature will drop and whatever snow is still there will be blown clear tomorrow.

Here’s that view we all know and love, looking south from the Lake Farm launch.

Not as beautiful as Lake Massebesic in Manchester NH:

Thanks to Dick Boisvert for checking it out.

Stand by for confirmation tomorrow, but chances are good we’ll be exploring every corner of Damariscotta Lake into which we can drive a runner come Sunday.

Dan Stillman has given us another fine production.

Echo Lake Gusty and Slushy 3 4 25 youtu.be

There might be hope for Damariscotta Lake this coming weekend. Stand by for reports.

Three boats sailed Echo Lake on Mount Desert today, and the wind for tomorrow is even better. Check with Micheal Young for details. The coastal lakes are where it’s at just now. No report from Addams, but those Lockley guys are generally secretive.

Rain later in the week might open up some of our other lakes. This is the time of year where the more i’s on the ice benefit everyone. Take a drive, take a walk, take a picture. Call in the good news.

Down at Webster Lake, boats are on the ice and having a great time. Again, winds tomorrow look excellent.

Check with Bob S. for details, or just show up to Waterfront Marys and join the fleet. Rest assured there are smiles all around behind those helmets.

Rob Dmitriov reports of a lovey surface on Addams Pond, Boothbay. He plans to gather all the Lockleys for a day of sailing on Tuesday.

Carry on access only. Call Rob for more details.

Still looking pretty bleak most everywhere else. If you see anything promising, call it in!