December 2011 Ice Sailing

If it can't be a new toy, have it be primo conditions to play with one you've already got! Perseverance pays! This high pressure ridge has been parked over the Pacific NW for 3 weeks now, bringing ice building temps, overcast skies, no precipitation, lots of freezing fog, and ZERO wind. Which is hard on an iceboat junkie, to have the shallow lakes frozen, free of snow, and no opportunity to pull the trigger. This early ice season is often short to non existent, killed by anything more than a couple of inches of snow, often for months, until the spring melt/refreeze cycle again offers up clear ice. 

The National Weather Service promises that a weak low pressure system will show up Christmas day to nudge the ridge eastward. After a fine family breakfast, and furious present opening on the part of the grand kids, a quick check with NWS proclaims that it's begun. Now this form of sailing is another wind sport requiring repeated leaps of faith. I leave home in deep fog and dead calm, solely on the promise that there'll be breeze when I get to the lake in an hour and a half. I'm desperately watching flags and roadside weeds as I cross the rolling wheatlands, for any sign of the element that I need. As I approach the lake it starts to sprinkle, but I break into a monster grin. I can see the the trailing edge of the cloud bank, and it's blowin'! As I finish rigging, the sun busts free, and I bask in the first sunshine in three plus weeks! 

I launch into 15 plus, gusting over 20, enough to overpower the boat with the big 5 meter sail on. A bit of a handful for my season opener.  I scream around close to put in, to get dialed in on ice I know, and then slowly expand my range as I get comfortable with the power. I walked this playground two weeks ago, when it had just gotten thick enough, and it's been below 32 since then, but ice is worthy of deep respect, with pressure ridges that form and heal, and springs that can thin the ice depth, it's an ever changing surface.  But careful inspection reveals a solid surface, and I start to let her run free. The wind has moderated some, so now I'm working on building speed. With so little friction, this machine feeds on apparent wind.  There's this great little dance to power her up after a tack, sheet out to increase the sail's draft, bear away to gain speed, the boat accelerates, allowing the main to be sheeted in as I head up. Bear away again for another burst of acceleration, and a corresponding carve back to windward as the main comes in some more. Repeat until the boom's just leeward of my helmet, the main's as flat as my protesting sheet hand will tolerate, and the speed is exhilarating!  Done properly, it's a graceful wiggle, yielding yet another big smirk. 

A similar maneuver cranks her up after a jibe, sheet out to get the boom up over my helmet, head up for power, carve down, sheet in, head up for more, and bear away again till fully turned on. Then straighten her out right there on the edge of that pressure, and hold on! 40 knots of boat speed in 15 knots of breeze with the big sail. It only increases as the wind speeds rise and the sails get smaller (less aerodynamic drag, the limiting factor for top end speed). 

The days are mighty short this time of year, and sadly the sun finally finds the horizon, and with that, the wind drops. I head for the launch with every intention of shutting her down. But as she glides to a halt, the pressure builds again, and I can't quit! I know! The warning signs are very clear! I last another 10 minutes till the rapidly dropping temperature and fading light send me in. I pack up by headlamp, and make the drive home with a monster smile, and deep gratitude to the big man for the beautifully tailored gift. 

Dave Farmer of Tum Tum, WA.

Ice Sailing Sprague Lake, WA. 2011



First light reveals the clear skies that were predicted.  I spent the weekend tuning up the little iceboat, gathering up the pieces that were scattered since its last incarnation as a dirt boat. Grinding the runners, and fussing for that perfect alignment. It's been mostly below freezing for the last week and a half, nighttime temps in the sub 20s. Might just be enough to make the shallow lakes usable.

The boat's on the trailer, hooked up and ready to roll. Brilliant blue above, all vegetation flocked with bright white hoar frost from the successive nights of freezing fog. It's an hour and a quarter drive southwest across the Palouse wheatfields and channeled scablands, to Sprague Lake.  I've never yet caught early season ice, it usually snows soon after it forms, and I've had to wait for the spring thaws to get this machine running.  But here's a chance!  I'm trying hard to keep my expectations low, I'm just going to check on the ice, I tell myself. Just a morning tour in the countryside.

Just beyond Reardan I drive out of this precious sunshine, back into the fog bank that fills these river valleys and coulees on these early winter morns. Not good though, the fog will fend off the 6 to 8 mph winds the weather service is promising me. The flag hangs limply in the Edwall city park as I motor through. That's ok, it's easier to stick to my scouting plan if the wind's not pleading with me.

The lake slides into view, whoa, there's open water at the northeast end. Ok, well it's shallower at the SE end.  At the put in, the ice appears to be about 3" thick. And GLASS!  With these amazing 2" tall hoar frost 'Christmas trees' that have formed off any tiny imperfection on the ice surface. I don the spiked ice boots, and I'm off to survey the landscape. The crystal clear ice reveals it's thickness with every crack, and I search out any surface distortions in my proposed sailing route. I spook  a coyote off the island, and off  to the southeast I perceive a blurry(or furry) post sticking up a foot and a half out of the ice, this new ice. Bears investigation.  I get within 50' and it launches skyward, a magestic horned owl. Good that I travelled this way, another 200 yards further is open water, the size of a swimming pool. Must be a spring.

I return to my circumnavigation, and a ten minutes later I spot another open spot, similar in size, just off the island, with geese frollicking merrily. Still 3 to 4 inches of ice beneath me, both holes out of my path and easy to spot.  At the end of a couple of hours, I've completed my survey, and I'm comfortable with the ice. Now I just need wind!

And here's where the addiction rears it's ugly head. It's still foggy, but I think I see it thinning, and there, over there, the sun's breaking through, illuminating that hillside. There's a little breeze, 2.9 to 5.2 mph, according to my very precise annemometer..... 5 to 6 might work. I think it's building....... Might as well rig the boat, as long as I'm here..... By the time it's ready there might be enough..... Well at least all the parts are here.  She goes together quickly, and I push her off the shore towards open ice. Ahhh, she glides nicely!  Such a silky feeling. A tiny puff, I push, jump in, and sheet in. And trundle along smoothly, albeit slowly, until she eventually eases to a stop. Hop out, dance about a little(tunes, yes tunes, always), waiting for the next puff. I repeat this behaviour a few times, and finally decide to just lounge in the cockpit til the next attempt. Amazing, 25 degrees, and I'm dressed so well that I can take a little snooze here atop this frozen lake.  That's a comfortable boat!

A few more attempts, and I decide to pack it up. A bit of a skunk if sailing was the goal, but a fine day acclimating to this new season.  The boat is ready, the ice is here(almost), I just need some wind before it snows!

Dave Farmer of Tum Tum, WA.

Mitch Robinson... Lake Coeur d'Alene & Potholes Reservoir!

At dock at Lofts Bay landing, Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Oct. 2011

To fellow sailors living in the Great Northwest, I was asked to share some of my sailing experiences about the area (to be exact sailing within the Inland NW). There are a number of great places to sail around this area but, unfortunately I have only had the opportunity to actually sail on two of the lakes so far. The lake I am most familiar with is Lake Coeur d' Alene in Idaho because I live about 10 miles down the lake, (south) of Interstate I-90. During the summer I boat to work, (sail if there is wind, motor if no wind) then after work boat up to Beauty Bay and spend the night anchored in the bay. There are 3 buoys in Beauty Bay to tie off to, so it makes for a nice protected place to spend the night. It usually does not get crowded until after the end of June. In the mornings after my coffee I sail until it's time to go back to work. Fortunately, this next year I will have more time to sail since I am now Retired.

Sailing from Lofts Bay to Carlin Bay, Lake Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Aug. 2011

I also had a nice sail recently from Carlin Bay, ( Coeur d' Alene Lake) over to Loff's Bay which is just slightly northwest across the lake from Carlin Bay. I plan to check out some of the places on this lake that I haven't had time to see now that I am retired.  Like going up the St. Joe and Coeur d' Alene rivers and checking out the wild life. When you have a sailboat that only draws 18" of draft you can go alot of places others can not. 

Sailing aboard my Compac 16 with Miles Moore on the Potholes Reservoir. The Hobie 17 sailor is Jeff Creim. Spring 2009.

Miles Moore and I had the good fortune to go to Pot Holes Reservoir in Washington awhile back and spend a couple of days sailing and camping out on my ComPac-16.  We had good wind and hit close to 6 knots one day which is real good for such a small mono hull.

Stay tuned as a follow up article is coming to show the before, in process of being restored, and after pictures.

If there is anyone interested in going sailing or boat camping lets get together and enjoy the great outdoors. Call me  208-689-9828 or leave a comment below... Happy Sailing, Mitch Robinson

Exciting Hobie 16 sailing. Sail or Swim :)