Chasing a Coyote Down the Hudson River

2/12-15/03: "John Gannon's Road Trip"
By: John Gannon



My journey to iceboat on the Hudson River was my first really big road trip by myself in the seven years in this sport. Wednesday I arrived late, saw the conditions and the ice flows piled up 8-10 feet, and wondered what I had gotten my Yankee and myself involved in. I was definitely afraid of breaking up my boat, but I was assured there was a passage out there, onto the 5 mile stretch of black ice; even though it was covered with 3-5 inches of snow.



John Gannon and his boat, "Fool's Gold"


Thursday, I was nervous and very slow to set up my boat, but Jordan Glaser and Jack Jarvis set up their boats rather quickly and headed out with a steady 15 mph wind. After two whirligigs Jack wasn't happy and headed home. Jordan persevered and began his flight down to Rhinecliff in his DN. John Sperr and Brian Reid guided him through pressure ridges, ice packs and hummicks. Christmas trees and red flags marked open water. Freighters and barges were still operating in the channel on the western shore of the Hudson. Sailing along that five mile stretch to Rhinecliff took them under the Rhinecliff Kingston Bridge, which looked about 300 ft above the ice.

Alone now, I decided to go for it. I must thank a fellow named Dock, who had his own C stern steerer, but sacrificed his day to help push me out of the entrance. After two tacks, I was under the bridge. My GPS recorded a maximum speed of 48.3 mph: I felt like I was on top of the world. The return trip was not as smooth; my runners were digging into the snow going upwind. Chris Kendell kindly helped me push my boat back. The experience made me decide to break down my boat the following day.


Midriver


Saturday, Buzz Chase and I got our share of rides on the Jack Frost. Buzz got to be a sheet tender and he enjoyed it so much he was reluctant to release his grip. The Jack Frost is as magnificent and majestic as anything you've ever heard. I also had a chance to ride in John Rose's boat, the Aurora. A stay broke, the mast came down, and the boat flickered.



The hospitality and camaraderie displayed at Astor's Point is something to be learned and admired. John Speer (SPERR) and Jessica Bard shared soup and kept us warm with the heat from a potbelly stove. We sampled merlot and chardonnay made by John before it's bottled to be shipped to the restaurant, the French Laundry. The day ended with a party at the commodore's house, Bob Wills. It doesn't get any better than this.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Rick and Ania Aldrich for their generosity and hospitality; something I will strive to reciprocate.


John Gannon

732-229-6215

gannongobra@aol.com

Sailing Venue Statistics

Jake wins Best Junior Sailor at Long Island DN Championship

https://www.lisail.com/covers.html

"Mid-Life Ices"

http://boatingtimesli.com/NY/?p=6024

A recent article in Boating Times Long Island:

Mid-Life Ices
February 20, 2011 by Leslie Fazin


Jordan Glaser credits his competitive drive and his nautical background to Long Island’s waterways. He sailed every summer at his family’s waterfront homes in Lake Ronkonkoma, and later, in Lake Panamoka. When he and his brother were just eight and five years old, respectively, they pooled together enough money (along with their father’s help) to buy a used Sailfish. They started racing—and winning—in regattas against seasoned adults.
Searching for a new hobby, Glaser was intrigued by S. Calhoun Smith’s book, Ice Boating: A Complete Guide to Ice Boat Development, Design, Construction, and Sailing. By the time he finished the book, he couldn’t wait to hit the ice. “I remembered seeing one ice boat in my childhood,” he explains. “And that ice boat had always stuck in my mind; someday, I wanted to go that fast.”
But Glaser found it a bit more challenging than he had initially expected. He recalls his first experience out on the ice after buying a wooden Arrow ice boat. “It was very surprising to go so fast and to not have any control, slipping all over the ice,” he admits. “There’s a lot of work involved.”
Ice sailors must be willing to brave the elements. They dress in layers to protect themselves from the wind and the frigid temperatures. Having patience with Mother Nature is key—races can be canceled or postponed if weather conditions are less than perfect. Ideal winds are generally between 10 and 15 miles per hour (mph) and lakes, rivers, and bays must be thick with ice and devoid of snow, holes, or cracks.
Glaser joined the Lake Ronkonkoma Ice Boat and Yacht Club (www.iceboatlongisland.com) and, over the years, sailed across waterways as far away as Wisconsin and Minnesota. Locally, he’s sailed Lake Ronkonkoma, the Great South Bay, the Great North River, and Mecox Bay.
Why travel to icy locations and bundle up for protection? Ice boat enthusiasts do it for the thrill: ice boats can travel anywhere between 50 and 90 mph across the ice. Glaser embraces his need for speed, and loves what his liquid water-sailing friends despise: the cold. “If you’re freezing and you’re cursing at the wind and at God, I’m happy,” he laughs.
It took a few years for Glaser’s wife to adjust to his risky new pastime. When their daughter was 11 years old, he took her on her first ice sailing escapade. “My wife’s words to me were, ‘If anything happens to my daughter, don’t come home,’” he recalls.
Things were going smoothly until they hit an unpredicted roadblock and lost control of the steering. “My daughter and I were careening across the ice at 60 mph, ice chips flying over our heads, and I’m screaming, ‘I’m never going home!’ But after about a mile or so, the boat miraculously came to a stop.”
Glaser laughs in retelling the story, but he knows that moments like those are why traveling in groups provides protection when an unexpected situation arises. Though not necessary, “strength in numbers” is often best. Ice sailing requires a great deal of stamina, not only for lifting the boat onto the ice and hoisting up the mast, but also for pushing the boat into the wind at the start of each race.
“After what happened with my daughter, I sold that boat right on the spot,” he says. “And I ended up buying a more sturdy fiberglass boat. I came up with a nice name for it, which was Mid-Life Ices.”
Throughout the years, Glaser continued to learn the ropes of the sport and with that came more ice boat purchases: Attitude, Instigator, Split Second and his son Jake’s, Passion. Between father and son, they’ve also earned a few trophies, championships and other distinctions.
“It’s an exciting time,” says Glaser. “I’ve met a lot of great people and I’ve traveled to places in the United States that I never, ever thought I’d travel to. I’ve seen beautiful places, but only when they’re frozen.”
Story by Leslie Fazin

An email from Mom & Dad:

Hi Jordy::

Just re-read the ice boating article, this time with Mom at my side. Laughed even more. We do remember the first time when we saw an ice boat flying across Lake Panamoka; and, the time we all went to purchase your first Sailfish. The boat was spotless; though the kitchen floor was covered with splattered eggs. As my mother would say, "just have the strength" to continue sailing and savoring life.

Love to all.

Mom and Dad

Long Island Championships

Jake wins best Junior Sailor in Passion. Jordan has best finesse at upwind mark...

Instigator Pose

ISA Trophy