Members of the North Shrewsbury Ice Boat and Yacht Club test the ice on the Navesink River (historically also known as the North Shrewsbury River) for thickness. (Photos by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
Maybe Friday.
That was the word from North Shrewsbury Ice Boat and Yacht club members Michael Soldati and Bill Carton after they walked across the frozen Navesink River, measuring the thickness of the ice Wednesday. The measurements are done to make sure the ice is safe for ice boats.
Carton said there were still spots of “wavy soft ice” that will keep the club members’ ice boats on tierra firma a bit longer.
“We have to give it another two days,” he said.
With forecast temperatures remaining well below freezing until then, he expects that at least the smaller boats should be able to sail that day.
Carton and his companions conduct their tests while tethered with rope for safety purposes. He and Soldati showed off the “old school” axe and “new school” cordless drill, both with hand-drawn rulers on them to measure the ice thickness.
Should the boats set sail this winter, it will mark the second straight year the club has been able to get out on the home ice after a seven-year streak of iceless winters.
Last winter’s freeze brought fleeting joy however. Warm temperatures melted the ice within just a few days.
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.
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