Ice on Lake Ontario

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Ron Weber

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Jan 14, 2022, 12:05:12 PM1/14/22
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I saw a video this morning of ice shards crashing against the shores of Len Ford Park in Toronto. So I wondered, you hearty sailors of the North have ice breaker gear on your boats for winter sailing? Do you have heated cold weather suits that plug into your boats electric system, or do you duct the heat from your diesel cabin heater? Are there special races with "ice speed" factored into the PHRF rating? Seriously though, you all have my sincere sympathy. I spent many years sailing the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and remember some real challenges from the winter cold. I was younger then and didn't seem to recognize how miserable I was at the time. I'm sure someone of similar thought constructed the bumper sticker line that said "A Bad Day Sailing Is Better Than A Good Day At Work" , and the same thought has been applied to many other activities.
I will be wishing you all a quick return to warmer days and will celebrate your bravery with a bucket of cold water poured over myself during my next sail.
Of course the above is hyperbole but I hope the sick humor might bring a warm smile to your face.

Ron Weber
N22 Magic Time
Punta Gorda Fl

Mark Powers La Reina 26C Vancouver, B.C.

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Jan 14, 2022, 2:33:52 PM1/14/22
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Here in the Pacific North West (the Wet Coast) ice is not generally a problem although a couple of the fleet have been iced in for a few days as the freshet sat on top of the salt water and froze. We don't get hurricanes, so a little rain and a bit of wind, that people in Florida might call a stiff breeze, causes all kinds of problems for us. A single barge breaking loose from its mooring becomes a significant event for us.  Here is a link to part of the Vancouver response. You need to scroll down to the weather map to get the video clip.  There is a connection to the Great Lakes so it is not completely a Wet Coast story.

Mark Powers

Mark Powers La Reina 26C Vancouver, B.C.

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Jan 14, 2022, 2:59:36 PM1/14/22
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I forgot to mention that Jakatan, Nonsuch 33, was the first boat in False Creek past the Burrard Bridge and was prepared to through herself in front of the barge to protect the rest of the boats in False Creek. La Reina was tucked in around the corner as a reserve fender.

Mark Powers

John Alexander Stewart

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Jan 14, 2022, 3:14:30 PM1/14/22
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Hey Ronnie;

On Fri, Jan 14, 2022 at 12:05 PM Ron Weber <rone...@comcast.net> wrote:
I saw a video this morning of ice shards crashing against the shores of Len Ford Park in Toronto. 

Only Shards? Pfffft! up my way, the ice shacks for the ice fishing are on the water, most likely the ice sailboats are primed in Kingston ON further south than I live; here seems like all the local parks have lots of kids skating around outside playing pickup hockey... Actually, the sound of skates on ice with a hockey stick one hears from neighbours back yards (a couple of backyards on the street are mini-hockey rinks) is a really, really nice sound to hear. 

Mind you, I'd kill to be able to walk out the front door without donning the survival suit! 

Here's the website of the local volunteer ice rink in the park maintainers.

Every day is fun, no matter where you are.

JohnS NS26 046 with its' hull frozen to the cradle, lying in a snowdrift in Bath ON.

Ernie Abugov N22 - #56 "Moustaches" Toronto

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Jan 14, 2022, 3:26:17 PM1/14/22
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Mark, this video of the barge is brilliant.

Ernie A. in Toronto

Ernie Abugov N22 - #56 "Moustaches" Toronto

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Jan 14, 2022, 3:32:30 PM1/14/22
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Ron -

Yes, we do get ice chunks here on the shores of Toronto. Just down the road, on the shores of Lake Erie, they get some ice also. Here's what happened in Hamburg, NY.

Ernie A. in Toronto

Ron Weber

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Jan 14, 2022, 3:51:33 PM1/14/22
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Mark,
That video is indeed brilliant and a nice lighthearted diversion from today's turmoil - thanks

Ernie,
True, my experiences on the Chesapeake didn't parallel those depictions. I guess living in Florida for a while has tainted my memories of winter in the North. I appreciate you helping me to refocus. I should go outside now in my pajamas.

Ron Weber
N22 Magic Time
Punta Gorda Fl  

Terence Cutts

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Jan 14, 2022, 4:26:52 PM1/14/22
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No sharks!

   Terry & Clarise
     #404 Toronto                   647-856-0377
  

On Jan 14, 2022, at 12:05 PM, Ron Weber <rone...@comcast.net> wrote:

I saw a video this morning of ice shards crashing against the shores of Len Ford Park in Toronto. So I wondered, you hearty sailors of the North have ice breaker gear on your boats for winter sailing? Do you have heated cold weather suits that plug into your boats electric system, or do you duct the heat from your diesel cabin heater? Are there special races with "ice speed" factored into the PHRF rating? Seriously though, you all have my sincere sympathy. I spent many years sailing the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and remember some real challenges from the winter cold. I was younger then and didn't seem to recognize how miserable I was at the time. I'm sure someone of similar thought constructed the bumper sticker line that said "A Bad Day Sailing Is Better Than A Good Day At Work" , and the same thought has been applied to many other activities.
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Fred Rachwitz

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Jan 16, 2022, 8:52:54 PM1/16/22
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It was 5 degrees below zero F yesterday morning in the town where I live and Concerto lies. Most of the harbor began to freeze over, there are no boats in the water and the ice fishermen will be likely putting their shanties out soon in spite of global warming. I don’t think that I understand what all of you are talking about. 

Fred Rachwitz 
Concerto
Nonsuch 30 U #445
Harbor Springs, Michigan
Northern Lake Michigan

Sent from Fred’s iPad Air 3

On Jan 14, 2022, at 4:26 PM, Terence Cutts <nonsu...@gmail.com> wrote:
6

No sharks!

Thor Powell

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Jan 16, 2022, 10:08:19 PM1/16/22
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Mark Powers La Reina 26C Vancouver, B.C.

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Jan 17, 2022, 4:45:40 PM1/17/22
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If you want a different look at boating in Ontario in the winter check out page 35 of Good Old Boat January/February 2022.

Mark Powers

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