iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

You probably all know that Bob Dill, in a article published in Seahorse magazine this year has de-bunked the myth that an ice boat with wooden spars and cotton sails could possibly be faster than a modern Ice boat. No one to my knowlege has ever published a gps recorded top ice boat speed, we hear a good skeeter tops out at around 72mph is this true. If not, what is the higest recorded speed attained by an ice boat using modern methods. Richard Jenkins of Wind Jet has a new boat ready for the ice and would like to have an honest top speed to attempt to better.I know you all have stories and i do as well, but an honest apprasial would be appreciated.

[This has been posted on the "DN America" site and iceboat.org, so apologies for the duplication. I'm looking to cast the widest possible net in hopes of getting this together for next season...]

I'm putting together a "loaner boat" around my old DN. Last year I got the hull and plank back in shape for Jori Lennon to use while her new hull was under-construction. That catalyzed an effort to assemble the rest of the parts for a complete program. My old Norton-Winder fiberglass mast should be nearly perfect for a beginner, and the Mattison/Krueger shop on Willy Street has donated some wire to make stays. Two years ago, Wayne Schmiedlin helped fix my spare boom to use with his new hull, and just yesterday I acquired a set of plate-runners from Eric Olsen of Milwaukee.

sailed the old nite in front of Frost Point and the islands...monster wind really got the old boat moving..thanks to Mike P for the new plank and John B for helping me line up the holes..

To the south, there was the main pits area for the NIYA:

      
(click "View Original" to see the full-size photo)

... and there, there on the other side, in the middle of the other side, away from everything else on the other side, in parentheses ...

we are on our 3rd sheet of black ice this season.at present time i'm skating on 2.5'' black ice.forecast not good,heavy rain tonight,changing to heavy snow tomorrow.no sailing today,high is mid 30's after overnight low in teens

Last sunday i sailed on lake Pokegama,just west of Minong,WI.
Amazingly,the ice was fairly smooth and clear of snow.
i checked it today;there is less than 2 inches of dry snow and no real drifts.
this is the best ice i have found in this area.
the public landing is at the south end, off hwy.77
i plan to sail there again this weekend,unless it snows more or better ice is found.
hope to see you there, nick

Snow finally cleared from local lakes. Ice is fast but a bit lumpy. Ear plugs, seat cushion, and soft plank recommended.

Several of us; The Reverend Petey, at Head Injury Media /Penalty Box Productions, Aussie Peter Norton of , Rum Jungle Media , Geoff Sobering Moving Target Photography , and myself for sure have been talking... about "Telling The Story", the story of iceboating, like with all this ice, and all this sailing, the speed, the thin ice, there's a couple great stories to be told.

And she said, "In the unlikely event of a water landing..." From personal experience, cold water immersions are no fun, an unplanned swim in a newly frozen lake, alone, at sunset is the loneliest place on the planet.

Link to page: Self Rescue or How to be your own best friend!

http://www.iceboating.net/node/2323

A reprint of Bob Dill's excellent article from the IDNIYRA Site, and a couple other thoughts.

Well, sort of.... both my cameras sort of froze up, right quick-like. But, watch the video anyway, it's a bit fuzzy but it will give you the flavor of this event. If this sheet of ice doesn't get yer blood pumpin' ye must be ded.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aklsa2h_sos

It was stunning! The huge bluffs behind the racers, the brilliant blue sky, the trains crawling along the WI shore (and the boats BEATING them!), being able to sail 8 miles to Lake City for burgers, and the most-perfect launch site. It was almost overwhelming. I was too star-struck by all the serious racers en masse, so I left my boat on the rack and just soaked it all in. When I drove up along the bluff, coming from Lake City, and saw that flock of 100+ white sails on the WI shore it took my breath away.

4695 The IceMaker

Do you need any help on Sunday? I my have some time to give to the event. I work all week, but Sunday is open at this tome.

500 lb. trailer 2002 for single DN in NJ with spare...

$175.00..... 973 335 7785......

At Sailing Specialists, Inc., Williams Bay, WI we have DN covers ready to ship. To protect your DN from road salt, slush, ice and snow while traveling, order a hull bag which will completely protect the hull and all hardware. $155.00. A mast bag is $49.00, a runner plank bag is $45.00.
These bags are made from extremely durable and waterproof light green canvas.
We can also supply an on-the-ice cover, but this configuration leaves the bottom of the hull and the steering hardware exposed, which is not desireable when traveling. email sailing19@charter.net

IT LOOKS LIKE TRAVEL WILL BE INVOLVED TO GET ANY ICE TIME. I NEED A COVER.

Went up to west Lake Okoboji last night to check the ice. A local sailor sailed late Sunday and called down Monday and said the ice was great. He was right! 4-5 inches of clear hard ice. It is a piece that is 1 X 3 miles in size. We checked it at Gull Piont State Park. We are going to sail Thur. or Fri. before the next storm hits on Sat. Flirt II