Sailing at Athens-on-Hudson

     Galatea & Vixen - Hudson-Athens Lighthouse.  2/10/26  - I love this shot captured by Reid Bielenberg

Ice boats in full swing at the state boat launch in Athens. This past weekend's deep freeze and the strong winds helped firm up the surface nicely. Not ideal ice but plenty fine for the old boats to sail across. Folks are skating as well. 

More boats set up today - Thursday 2/12 - including Comet & Hound. 

Aurora & Comet & Greyhound were out giving rides to a handful of onlookers and friends. A small group of bow steering boats joined the Hudson fleet. It was very nice to meet a few of the Saratoga ice group sailors - Paul & Tom had some fine sailing this afternoon. 

      Aurora off Murderers Creek, Athens 2.12.26     That's Galatea in foreground right.

                Comet, Tom Gilbert's old cat-rig boat, sailing for first time on the Hudson in 20+ years?? 

Wind forecast is not favorable these next three days unfortunately.  

      Glen at the helm as wind fills Hound's sails late afternoon.  How to convert your sloop rig to cat-rig??         Forget your jib!

On the ice at Athens currently:

Vixen, Galatea, Aurora, Greyhound, Comet, Hound. and the "Eerie" Lateen boat. 

 

Down south at the Rhinecliff dock a few DNs set up to enjoy the beautiful plate of black ice, up to the Rhinecliff Bridge. Access with the big boats is too unwieldy at Rhinecliff, but DN launching is possible, with major caution and understanding the danger of tidal ice flow.

                            Charlie, Brett & Scott off Rhinecliff dock.  photo courtesy Scott Larsen