Athens, Happy Valentines Day!

Well, the wind was not fresh today! Nary a puff came up till a few late afternoon teases. Still, it was a wonderful day on the ice with many visitors. It was nice to be with people again (distanced and masked, for the most part) and see old friends. I ran into one old timer who lives in Athens and recalled iceboating here  60 years ago.  No new boats arrived and talk was about what to do with upcoming storms. For the time being boats are battened down and we may move them on Monday up to Hagers Harbor, a quarter mile north, to ride out the upcoming weather. 

Sails up, wind down.  

Vixen, chasing a light breeze, late afternoon, Valentines Day.  MaryEllen in background.

following photos courtesy of,  and copyrighted by Robert Near.

A day at Athens-on Hudson!

 I finally got up to Athens today. Conditions are good still- 5-6 inches of ice with an inch of dry snow on top. We sailed a roughly 1/2 mile wide by 3/4 mile long stretch on the west side of Middle Ground Flats - the "island" that separates Hudson & Athens. This stretch comes in now and then as the channel - and  River traffic -  travel the east side. We had great sailing here in 2001 & 2009.  

By the end of the day there were 6 antique stern steerers and several dns; Good friends Glen & Daniel Kite Skied the sheet. We look to get a dusting of snow overnight, though wind forecast is not looking too good Sunday.  Boats will be out regardless.

There was some nice sailing today. The wind came and went and there were some lulls. Still, many folks who wandered onto the ice got their first iceboat ride.  Out on the ice were Vixen (1885), Icicle ( circa 1920s); Puff (1872ish), Lady (1940s?); Mary Ellen (1870s)  & Commodore Bob's new Herreshoff designed boat were fully rigged as the day came to a close. 

The week ahead looks to be snowy, but potential warming and rain at the end of the week may give us good conditions next weekend.  Stay Tuned...

Mary Ellen ( circa 1875)  and Vixen ( 1885)  These 2 boats raced in 1968 on Orange Lake for the Hudson River Challenge Pennant.  At the end of the day , Vixen took pennant home. 

 

New addition to Hudson River fleet.  Commodore Bob's stern steerer, designed by Herreshoff.  

Chris, New Skipper of Mary Ellen.  John Vargo was long time owner of Mary Ellen. John found "Wildcat" in the rafters  of a railroad shed in Ossining in the earl 60's.  He renamed her MaryEllen, after his wife. John sailed her for 40 years, winning many races on Orange Lake in the 60s and 70s. Ironically, Mary Ellen last sailed Athens in 2001 and afterwards was stored in a warehouse there. Chris & Annika recently acquired her and here she is rigged for the first time in 20 years, back on Athens ice!  

 Mary Ellen's design points back to the 1870s, based on the wooden side-rails and mast step placement. She's had some modifications over the years.  

Young adventurer and his dad getting a sail on Vixen with Reid.  We need young sailors!!

Icicle, a D class stern Steerer from the New Jersey Ice Boat and Yacht Club.  Skipper Mike has brought Icicle  up to the Hudson Valley several times to sail in recent years.  This Icicle is from the 1920s.

Super Bowl Sunday -- Vixen Launched! See updated Ice Conditions--------->

Murderers Creek, Athens NY February 7, 2021.    All Photos courtesy of and copyrighted by Robert Near. 

Athens Update 2-8-21 

Yes, Vixen is set up and ready!  She is also awaiting a few more nights of good cold to add more thickness to the ice in that location. It is unlikely she will venture out this week. There is forecast for snow tomorrow & the overnight temps have gone up some over last few days.  We are taking it a day at a time and will assess Friday-Saturday whether it is safe to set up more of the fleet here.  Lows near zero are forecast for early next week, which may give us assurance of enough ice in that area. This post is not an invitation to bring boats - we will continue to watch the conditions and get the news out when the ice feels safe. Still monitoring other locations as well. Tivoli Bay had a good report but the ability to access the South end is hampered by deep snow.  Stay tuned! 

Feb. 7:     Hudson River Ice Yachts are back on the Hudson River.  Reid B. & crew set up Vixen on the river near Athens.  A recent cold snap, snowstorm, and saturation built up just enough solid ice to launch. Upcoming cold this week should further build thickness. If we don't get too much snow later this week Vixen could be set for some fine sailing next weekend.   

Vixen, a lateen-rigger ice yacht, was built in 1885 in Chelsea ( Low Point) by the Merritt Brothers. It raced several times for the Ice Yacht Challenge Pennant of America. It was owned and sailed by FDR's uncle John A. Roosevelt for many years.  

Many thanks to photographer Robert Near  who has generously shared his ice yachting images with me over the years. 

The predicted cold - with several night of single digits late this week, should help build ice and not lead to the rapidly deteriorating ice we faced 3 years ago in Athens.  

With river traffic on the east side of Middle Grounds Flats, we have had some good winters on the ice sheet between Athens and the Flats. 2009 images here.  

Local Lakes Iced over! Cold through the weekend! see conditions link-------->

 Hoping we might find a location to set up by the weekend. Stay tuned.  see conditions page right column.

Copake Lake 1/26/21

Tivoli Bay 1/23/21

Happy New Year!

 Capturing the spirit of 2020?? 

                 

                     Wishing you Fair Winds & Smooth Ice in 2021!

Season's Greetings!

 

and may Santa's team bring cold weather & smooth Ice!  

Manhassett set up

 Finally posting pictures of the Set-Up session we had for Manhasset in September. We finished up the  restoration of this 1906 Buckhout-built stern steerer in late August, and spent an afternoon setting her up at Steve Young's barn in Tivoli. 

 We wanted to see if we had all the parts and hoped to step the mast and bend her sails on.  Unfortunately we ran out of time, but had a very nice gathering with a small masked group to get half way there.  Next stop, firm ice with easy access! 

Most Pictures from Jack Norton & Bob Wills - Many thanks!

 Skim through pictures of  some of the restoration work here.

initial restoration of the plank here.

A bit of history of Manhasset. 

  More history of Manhasset, with Buckhout letter & films.

Bringing 32 ft hollow backbone to set up area.

attaching runners and plank hardware. 

(runners still need sharpening) 

Backbone set on the plank.

attaching Gammon straps; all hardware was cleaned up on a wire wheeled & painted. 

Mast step & jib traveller are cast bronze .

Tiller as well. 

Forward cockpit set in place.

Julian at the tiller. He directed most of the repairs 

and  problem solved fixes needed. 

christening toast 

Jim Scott's home made crane makes packing her away much easier..