Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

Mud in the pits, sunscreen on the nose, sailing in light gloves and open collar. Breaking down slowly on slushy ice, taking your time, savoring what feels to be the end of the season.

Sounds like one our our wonderful days in late March. Not this year. That’s how it was this weekend at Lake Farm. Yesterday there were about fifteen boats from all over New England. A Lockley Skimmer made the trip all the way from the Orient Ice Yacht Club on Long Island. Way to go Heather! Mike came up from Massachusetts with Herb Chamberlain’s old NorthEaster. He made great use of a retired walked for bringing tools and runners down to the ice:

Big winds made for great sailing on the recovered surface. A dusting of snow before dawn fell into what remained of the undrained water, slushing it out and letting it freeze. There were a few drain holes, some marked, the others dodged. Shell ice blocked access to the Narrows, but there was plenty of real estate in Great Bay.

The early bird got the wind today, the 8-10 Westerly coming in right on schedule. By noon it was done, and the launch began to show signs of decay. A few boats had the pleasure of fast full lake laps before that sense of impending doom crept in as the sheet lightened and tell tales struggled to stay awake.

Ben Fuller rigged his new stern steerer STREAK, sorting out set up details. Sadly, most boats are off the ice. A few DN’s might be there tomorrow, but other lakes are getting checked as we write. Might be better winds along the coast.

It may feel like the end, but rumors are trickling in from NY and VT…

Just a heads up that the Jefferson General Store is open and can be sailed to, with a short walk. Food is excellent.

The ice has maintained its seven+ inches through this last blast of weather. Today there are puddles about an inch deep all over the lake.

The surface is soft today in the forty-five degree temps but will probably firm up tonight as temps dip below freezing. How much of the water will drain/evaporate is anyone’s guess. The only pressure ridge observed runs from Wavus Point south to the next point. Same as always. The one from Wavus Point crossing the lake could not be seen.

There’s a dry west wind coming later today which will help a lot.

The launch at Lake Farm is in good shape, clear and tight to the shore. Maybe trailers can go on the ice, we’ll see in the morning. Which brings us to the big question: are we sailing? Good breeze for tomorrow would say yes. Will we need slush runners? Maybe.

Prognosis shows good potential for Sunday and Monday, better winds Monday. Monday might be Regatta day…

The ice will fly away quick this year if we don’t get some serious cold in the next two weeks. Come get it while you can!

No, not that kind of patient, it’s the one that stands around on the ice for most of the day waiting for wind. And when you add a dollop of faith to that patient sailor that the two inches of snow won’t be an issue, you get a real iceboater.

Those are the track shoes of Jeff Roseberry who, along with Dave Fortier, hit the jackpot on Thompson Lake today.

If you could design the perfect day for speed runs it might look something like this: perfectly smooth and slippery surface, something with a fine film of lubricating water, a big well scouted plate, wind blowing across the lake for optimal reaching, and not too cold so you could keep at it all day long. Maybe we even get a little greedy and ask for partly cloudy conditions so your eyes don’t get tired. And just one last thing: not too crowded with skaters and other boats. Just a buddy to match race and a mark at each end.

That’s just what the guys finally got today, starting around 1:00, earning multiple mile a minute awards.

This plate is one of the highest quality we know of right now. 5.5” of black ice. It will survive when all the snow ice on Piushaw and Dammy slushes out. Even Moosehead is looking dubious. There isn’t the thick black ice base that allows us those magical spring flings. If nothing else, be sure your slush runners are clean and polished.

BRAVO BOYS!

Jeff and Dave chased puffs around the lake today. The surface and become smoother after yesterday’s slight melt. No softening today. We had the ramp plowed:

That’s the good news. Bad news is light snow forecast for tonight. Might be about an inch. Good news is that the wind might blow it clear tomorrow, but it won’t start blowing until late morning. Also, it’s called to be a west wind, blowing across the lake. Good for reaching back and forth, but not ideal for setting marks and racing. That was the tentative plan. But even with an inch of snow this will be fun sailing.

There are two significant features to consider between the pits and the plate. Ask those already there for guidance.