iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

Dear Friends,

these days, those of us, who haven’t been for long in this sport learned more about the good old times of Iceboating and the guys, who introduced it to Europe. Skip and his Family hosted and sponsored Iceboaters from the US and Europe for all their life. e.g. Andreas Bock G 624 got all the support in sails from Skip and so did last winter 19 Year old Merili Randmaa C46 from Estonia. She won the silver qualifier with a sponsored sail from Skip. Being that successful in Madison she got offered one of very few 470 boats to race with and became a few weeks ago the Junior World Champion in this class. She’ll never forget Skip and she was amazed by his knowledge about sails and how he put it into cloth.

I actually wanted to respond right away to a question I got asked a while ago by the Minnesota Iceboaters and others. But it was important to tell the words above and in a way it has something to do with their question.

Rob E., Mark C., John.D., Meade and Jan G., Matt St. James(Jimmy) H. and others were planning to travel to WC and EC this upcoming winter. Others like Greg S., Ron and Wendell Sh., crazy Leon L., John H., Hal B., Doug H. and Pete J. have already delivered their toys to Europe. And there are many more, who have done it in the past like Rand R., Jeff K., Al St., Bruce and many more. It might be easier, than you think and the question they asked me was how do we organize such a trip?

I like to show some options after gaining experience since the WC Detroit 1997 at least twice a year.

First of all find a buddy in Europe, who picks you up at the airport and you can travel with. If you need help with this part write me an e-mail and I will find someone. It would help, if you on the other hand would be willing to host someone too during the worlds in the U.S. but that is not mandatory.

Than decide, whether to leave some equipment permanently in Europe to reduce future travel expenses. I would recommend to leave a hull or even a hull and a mast in Europe for future journeys. Your buddy will store it and even do repairs, if necessary.

Than decide to send the boat with Air Cargo or take it as normal luggage on your scheduled flight. The Air Cargo option only makes sense, if you bring everything in and take it out afterwards. Perhaps Jeff K. can tell you more about this option, he used it many times. But be aware that all the papers, boxes and shipping assistance you will need this way, can be very expensive.

I like to recommend the “Normal luggage” option. In winter you are currently able to get return flights to Europe from $300- $500,-. This includes two pieces of luggage up to 70 lbs each. Each extra piece will be subject to a charge of $125,- for each way. Some Airlines will charge extra for oversize, e.g. United(don’t go with them, as one piece than goes up to $ 280)
e.g. Lufthansa charges only the pieces. The trick now is to travel with a second Iceboater to use the synergy of combining your equipment and reduce the number of pieces.

2 Iceboaters on the same plane:

First Rule: You are travelling with an Ice Wind Surfer. Never mention to the Airlines you are travelling with an Iceboat. They don’t know, if they may carry an Iceboat, because it is not in the Sport equipment list. But Windsurfers are carried on the roof as well, are known to the airline staff and this way cause no trouble. Also, with many airlines, you have lower extra piece fares for windsurfers!

Assure it is either a Boeing 747 or an Airbus A 340 due to the sizes of the cargo compartment.
Anyway, if you get asked how long the longest part is? Just say 3,80 meters. They can bring in up to 5 meters length(Mast is 4,80). But sometimes the Check-In Staff want to make no mistake and they call someone who also doesn’t know. So it is better to say 3.80m to avoid long talks. Also explain that you have been travelling with this equipment for years without any problems and therefore having chosen this airplane type.
For the “right plane reason” you have to fly out of a bigger Hub, like O’Hare, Detroit, Montreal, Boston, New York, …(Minneapolis was so far not possible)

Two masts will be one piece of luggage if you tape them together(Foam at both ends and around the hound is mandatory to avoid damage) Don’t tape more than two masts together as it is almost impossible to lift and slide it into the gap between the cargo containers and the compartment roof for the airline staff. Don’t worry about a spare mast. If you need it, one will be found.

Each hull will count as one piece of luggage and can carry small things like steering rod and chock, shoes, stays,… inside(use no bubble foil but use hard foam like being used during camping to sleep on). Cover all the boat and have the steering system removed. Remember the 70lbs max.

Two planks will be Taped together and count as one piece of luggage.Further this package can carry some runners taped to the bottom of one plank inside the sandwich. Foam on both ends will prevent damage.(mind the 70 lbs.)

Up to 5 sails and two booms can be rolled together. Start folding from the bottom of all 4 or 5 sails at the same time and slide the two booms(each in a sail bag) into the middle of the bundle. Put the bundle into the remaining two sail bags and fix a rope around that functions as a handle.(do the same for the planks)

Three boxes of runners of 70lbs each should be more than sufficient for two Iceboaters.(Don’t use too heavy boxes)

Two bags of 70lbs for the clothes should be sufficient for two guys as well

Don’t forget to use the maximum for your carry on. Officially 16lbs. But nobody realizes if it is a little more in weight.(mind the maximum size)

This adds up to a total of 10 pieces for two Iceboaters. Finally you have to pay for 3 pieces/each Iceboater, as two are included in the ticket fare. For each way this will add up to $375

Customs will make no problems, as the value for the homebuilt material is "officially" too small and, just in case, you have photos of the sport and in copy the “notice of race” that shows WC or EC. Americans are treated very well by the European Customs and we never had any problems so far. Of course you should say that you will take everything of your loved equipment home after the race, if you get asked at all.

Other expenses(travel and accommodation) are the same as in the US except the Scandinavian Beer prices.

Further I would recommend again, that leaving some equipment in Europe, will reduce the future travel hassle a lot.

I really hope to see more of you guys here in Europe in the future. First of all it is a lot of fun to sail in different countries. Also meeting other Iceboaters(friends) and seeing other countries is worth half the journey . I also hope to see more of the Top sailors here too. Most Europeans only know Ron, Wendell, Dough and Pete, because they are always here. They cannot imagine that there are more fast guys around in the US and this way they think it is so easy to gain a good result as an European competing in the US(I know it is not) . I really think it is time to let the giants of the sport meet in Europe. For that reason let me mention some people who should think of finally stop talking about travelling and just do it. I know J.D. and John H. are coming-Congratulations! What is with Mark C., Robby E., Steve O., Jeff K., Matt St., Greg. S., Leon L., Mike o B., Bruce W., Jim G., Jan G, John D and all the other excellent sailors? I’m sure there is a way to find some time in the beginning of March 2006.
I will be more than happy to assist on your personal travel plan and pick-up.
Please contact me: j.bohn(at)t-online.de or contact Ron S. US 44

Think Ice and about journey to Europe and see you all in Minnesota this December!
JoerG-737