Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

There’s lots of water on the ice today and there’s a chance that it might not completely freeze tonight, leaving nasty shell ice. Should be good to go on Monday.

See you there.

Here are a couple of great shots taken from the air today, courtesy of Stephen White. What a fine day to fly.

This is Muscongus Bay looking south, with the entrance to Deep Cove on the right. The triangle with the different texture is more or less the old hole that made sailing down here so interesting during the last round.

Looking north through the Narrows with Deep Cove in the fore ground.

Earthbound reports indicate the surface is pretty good; we’ll check it again tomorrow and get some closeups but as of now, sailing is ON for Sunday. Looking good into the week as well. Vannah Rd. launch.

The nail biter in the Monotype XV Baltic Cup Regatta in Lithuania was resolved into a first place for Russia. The score was tied after four races but the regatta was called as the following day promised winds and temps both in the forties. http://www.monotype-xv.org.

Similar conditions have prevailed for the past few days on Quabog Pond. Here’s Bob’e report from yesterday:
“Billy Bluefeather and I sailed again today on Quaboag. The boats were set up and the wind came up at 9:45, surface was hard and better than yesterday, wind 10 to12 and steady.
We chased one another around and raced the cars on the road. By 10:15 the ice got wet and very fast. Temp got near 45 and the wind picked up.
After another 30 minutes of out of control runs we decided to pack it in and save the boats for another day.

Note on yesterdays picture: he has two sets of brakes if it goes too fast. They are attached on the back of the boat just inside the runners. Safety first!”

Conditions in Maine look good for Sunday. Cold on Saturday night should finish off any slush and water. We probably could have been doing what Bob and Billy have: sail in the morning until the ice gets soft. Dammy cam shows smooth and grey. Anyone up for a sail?

While we’re waiting for the cold snap later this weekend, here’s something from the completely-outside-the-box department. The guys on Quabog sent this in today. It’s a rear steering, single runner up front, boom forward rig.

Note the steering linkage and tie rods on the front of the rear runners hooked up to the foot steering bar. And that eye bolt at the bow can mean only one thing: that’s where the sheet leads!

The sail is reported to be an actual shower curtain. Is it a step up from Mother’s bed sheets? Hard to say. Of all the boats sailing today in light air, this is the only one that wouldn’t move.
But, it’s great to see creativity at work in this often monochromatic by the book safety obsessed world. Let’s see how she does when the ice firms up and the wind starts to blow. The paint job sure is nice!

Ice is wetting out nicely, Sunday could be the day for sailing in Maine. Keep an eye on your favorite lake and share the intel!

Quick update after completing sailing for today: The Swedes and the Russians are tied for first!

XV