Hey Folks- If you are so inclined and need to get out of the house head on up to the CIBC spring meeting- Always a good time to be had with the Maine-iacs!

Details here:

Spring Gatherings | Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

Not a bad season considering everything that was going on over the winter. If you were able to get out and enjoy some hard water sailing during it all give yourself a pat on the back. If not, remember to get out twice as much next season!

Of course the official word of the ice going away gives us all reason to utter a few words that aren’t as polite as they should be. If anyone gives you any grief about it, feel free to use the attached retort, sent in by John Pepper. Thanks John!

Think Ice- Get cracking on that worklist for next season…..

This drone video shot by Jonne Trees last weekend at Moosehead Lake, ME.

Two days of great sailing, April 3 and 4. Good breeze, good ice, sun, scenery, Just proves that it ain’t over ’til it’s over!

Thanks to Jonne for the video and the Maine gang for scouting it-

Click and enjoy!

Moosehead Lake Ice Sailing Aerials – YouTube

Moosehead Lake Ice Sailing Aerials

Hey Folks-

For those of you who thought the Moosehead Lake news last weekend was some sick April Fool’s prank, let it be known that there was plenty of ice, plenty of breeze, plenty of sun, and plenty of speed to be had!

Great to sail on April 4, I think that is the latest I have ever gone….

In any case, keep it in mind for next year, just in case we get another chilly spring- Worth the trip!

The picture is from Jonne Trees, the video (I hope the link works) is from Jeff Kent.

Get tuned up, only about half a year until the next ice….

OneDrive

Moosehead Lake is delivering…. Ice is thick, surface a bit rough but hey, totally sailable and enjoyable.

Especially for early April!

Marks are set, will be scratch racing tomorrow if there is breeze.

Forget the holidays, never mind the family, they’ll get over it. Come on up!

Lodging at The Birches. See earlier posts for details.

Think Ice!

It’s looking like more of a possibility as the weekend approaches- Scouts are headed there at this moment, we look forward to hear what they find-

The latest update is here:
Moosehead Lake | Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

Keep an eye here for more news:
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club | Maine ice boat enthusiasts and friends!

There should be a good number of boats there as quite a few people just aren’t ready to pack it in yet (myself included). With a little luck we will all be able to brag about sailing in April all summer!

Even if we can’t sail much the place is as scenic as it gets, great spot to sit in the spring sun and unwind before the summer craziness hits.

Load ’em up and stay tuned! T

It could happen- sounds like Moosehead Lake may still be sail-able. Get your soft-ice gear (full sails, slush runners, max inserts, skunners, whatever you have) out of the storage locker and think about it….

What better reason to put off getting your tax information together? Keep your priorities in order!

Keep an eye on the CIBC site for updates….

Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club | Maine ice boat enthusiasts and friends

Moosehead Right Now | Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club

Hey Folks- Gretchen Dorian braved the wind and cold to get quite a few awesome shots of the action at the DN Nationals in MI last season-

Do yourself (and her) a favor and grab a disc!

2021 U.S. Nationals Photo CD – DN North America (idniyra.org)

Mike Webber, KC 5591

The Nova Ice Yacht Club lost one of its most active members on March 17 and the IDNIYRA lost a newer, committed DN sailor.

Mike Webber, KC 5591, of Petite Riviere Nova Scotia was a professional mariner, a marine engineer. His marine engineering career began on the Great Lakes and then moved to the salt water where he worked in offshore support and then on tankers. Most recently he was the Chief Engineer and Chief Superintendent for the Polar Prince, a Lunenburg-based research icebreaker engaged in seismic surveys, contract icebreaking and other Arctic operations.

Mike was a life-long sailor, who spent some of his time off as a professional mariner cruising the Caribbean with his wife and children. Mike only started iceboating about five years ago. He quickly graduated from beaters to competitive DNs. When he upgraded his DN program he helped others get started by giving way his beaters. He improved his performance through practice and seeking the advice of more experienced DN sailors. Last year he won his first race, and regatta, when he won the Maritimes Championship on Lake Mush-a-Mush, Nova Scotia. He finished 7th in the Silver fleet at the 2020 North American Championships at Fort Peck, Montana.

Mike will be remembered for his sunny personality. He could be counted on for support when help was required. Eight days driving with him, from Nova Scotia to Montana and back, was eight days well spent. Mike was 51: it was too soon for him to go.

Warren Nethercote, KC 3786

Mike’s full obituary can be seen at www.sweenysfuneralhome.com

Earlier in the week, I borrowed the words of the infamous John Belushi and in spite of a loose interpretation of world history, it came to pass. “Nothing is over until we decide it is!…” A number of sailors on a few venues proved that the season is still ON.

Saturday, the first day of spring saw New England action on Lake Winnipesaukee and up in Maine on Lake St George. Conditions were typical for this time of year. Cold overnights locking up the prior day’s slush from the high on the horizon late March sun. Randy said it was slush runner time, signaling the end is near.

Could we get another shot at sailing? The coming week’s weather is not promising. More north Moosehead maybe?

Sail Fast, Sail & Be Safe

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

P.S. People if you have never seen Animal House or not in a while you owe it to yourself to watch. They just don’t and probably can’t make ’em like that anymore.

Hey Gang- Hope springs eternal!

Some boats will be sailing out of Leavitt Beach on Winnipesaukee Saturday and Sunday. Well, trying to sail anyway!

Forecast is for moderate breeze and temps well over freezing so bring the slush runners and skunners. We will have some marks set up so if possible scratch racing will be going on- if no scratch racing then some cruising. If neither, good times will be had flapping jaws in the parking lot!

There may be some sailing going on in Maine as well- check the CIBC site for any updates at Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club | Maine ice boat enthusiasts and friends

Hope to see some people up to give it a go! It sounds like there is a good base on some lakes in NH and ME, always interesting to see how the surface and launches hold up. With a little luck we can get some more weekends in. Stay tuned to this and CIBC sites for details as we head kicking and screaming into April.

As always be sure to observe all ice safety guidelines- ice picks and other safety gear are mandatory. Also be sure to maintain social distancing and COVID protocols- Mask up, keep your distances, and don’t share drinks or smokes. Do the right thing and bring extras for everyone!

Think ICE!

T

As those that were there and those who heard know, it was a true challenge for men, women, and craft. A single group of seven coordinated sailors completed the Hardway in a manner prescribed by the rules.

Official roster of finishers for the Fleet 19, March 16, 2021 Hardway

Charlie Silfvenius: Hardway Commodore
Ann Rowe
Jerome Holden
Peter Boynton
Bill Buchholz
Jim Gagnon
Milo Fleming

Special commendations go out to those who rendered assistance to those in need and specifically Jeff Kester who found the AWOL boat) and then towed it home. Jeff I am sure we will see you next time around.

This and all Hardways are a collection of stories from the sailors who participated. Some of those individuals (actually most, myself included) did not complete the up and back. There are lessons learned from everyone that hit the ice this past Monday.

I hope to have many of their accounts published for all to read.

Milo Fleming is probably the youngest sailor to complete the Hardway and his story will be posted in the next couple of days. He is working on it between his other high school assignments.

There was a toast made to Leo back at Brewster Beach and I know he is smiling down on all those that attempted and completed the Hardway. The legacy lives one.

I look forward to another attempt next time and know many other sailors do as well.

Sail Fast, Sail & Be Safe,

John
DNUS5023
john@neiya.org

P.S. I know that people sailed Winni and St George in Maine today. Condition reports are being coordinated and posted for the weekend shortly.