Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

Just in: The MDI gang will be sailing Eagle Lake tomorrow around noon.

Andy Donovan and Dave Fortier sailed today from Vannah Rd. in very gusty conditions. The plate recovered nicely, but the open water that has plagued the north end of the south broads is still there. Fish holes appear not to have become drain holes, probably because the holes were seeded with snow first, turned to slush and froze before the rain water could sneak in.

This is looking south, towards Deep Cove. The water is there. Note the busted up plate at the edge.Nonetheless, there will be sailing from Vannah Rd. tomorrow where the ice is tight to the shore. Please mind the parking. We don’t want to loose access here. Both wheels off the asphalt. You could probably park on the ice. Eight inches in the pit area this morning. The ice is very dirty from the wind blown sand. Best to set up as far out as feasible.

Mike Acebo took this one of a South Bay Scooter on Bantam Lake this weekend. It’s wonderful that southern Connecticut gets its share of the ice sometimes.https://vimeo.com/667016062

Up in Maine, this drone captured a few moments at the Dc Fellows on Sunday at Damariscotta Lake. Thanks to Aaron Dries for this.
https://youtu.be/iVUnAYBO5yg

Coastal Maine dodged the snow and fine ice remains. News from Webster Lake is that it’s all locked in and is getting checked today.

In the what could have been dept., Jeff Soderholm found this amazing plate on Long Pond Lakeville. He had the presence of mind to rush home and get the DN for a late afternoon cruise. Sadly, the latest storm did it in. We haven’t sailed Long Pond in years now. One of the great treats was sailing up to the dock at the Eagles Club and having a snack and a drink at the bar. The switch from wind roaring in your ears, runners clacking across the ice to the soft murmur of conversation with the tinkling of glasses was vertigo inspiring.

Will we get it back?

About fifteen boats showed up today for the Doc Fellows Regatta, the first official NEIYA regatta in two years. We had three teens offering hope for the future of the sport. The plate on Damariscotta lake could safely be a grade 8.75, and with the light winds it didn’t take much to get going. Jeff Kent showed us what was possible again and again. We had three black flag races and one completed two lapper, so the regatta will not enter the books this time.

Nonetheless, there were smiles and joy all around, some skippers getting out for the first time this season. The best racing was at the end of the day, as the sun was going down and the wind coming up. Five boats who were reluctant to go back to the pits, luxuriating in the ice, blue sky and good company, began to run laps around two buoys. Round and round they went, hiking, masts bent, pushing hard, all that pent up competitive aggression hidden behind pleasantries all day coming out.

Thanks so much to Camp Wavus for sharing their access with us. This is the best plate on the lake and launching from Wavus was our only option and was excellent. They also host our web cam, showing the view to the northeast across the north broads.

Forecast shows snow changing to rain and then more ice. Take a day to sharpen runners, fix stuff and be ready for the next round. Winnie shows great promise. And lastly, great thanks to all the skippers who showed up, many from far away, in spite of the questionable forecast. It’s that kind of dedication that keeps the sport alive.

For our out of state guests, The Damariscota lake Farm Inn is now open. No restaurant, but check here for accommodations: tracey

That’s tracey “at” damariscottalakefarm.com. The are also on Facebook.