iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

Minnesota's Ice is ready!

Minnesota has been blessed with its earliest ice in years. At least 10 DN's have sailed this weekend at both Lake Christina and a small pond, Swede Lake. Both were sailable ice and thick enough. Lake Buffalo is frozen, unsailed and now has an inch of blown crusty snow from last night. A few other lakes will freeze this week with cold weather predicted. Heavy winds are forecast across MN for next two days as well.
I have consulted with a number of DN racers about calling on the 2014 Western Regional for this next weekend, Nov 22-23.

The Commodore and others will be at Swede Lake today arriving around 10 am. The lake doe have some snow on it.
Who knows, could be a perfect day to dust off your plate runners.

You will be hard pressed to recall an iceboat season that started as early as November 15. But mark this date on your calendar. Today, Tonka sailors ventured up to Lake Christina in Ashby MN and enjoyed a rare early start to the season. Congrats to the Doctor for being the first to rip across the lake!

The ice is over 6" thick and rated about a 7. It was a perfect day to clear out the cobwebs and put a few scrub races under our belts.

Several of us are heading to Mile Marker 8, Lake Christina, in Ashby MN. We leave Saturday (11/15/14) at 7:15 a.m. We will be home by dark.

WARNING:
Lake Christina has not been sailed. We do not know if the ice is safe. The ice has not been checked.
Check the ice before you sail. DO not sail alone. Carry ice picks or bear claws.

Harlan reports in from mile mark 26 of Christina at 8:30 AM Friday!
100 yards out, 4 to 4 1/2" of solid ice. Temp at zero and mostly calm and sunny. He walked over a some small chunks of refrozen ice as it was windy when it froze on Tuesday night. No duck holes can be seen. A very light dust of snow, almost like a hoar frost covers the entire lake.
Pelican, where he lives has less ice. He did not walk it. It had some open spots on Thursday, but are likely froze over last night.

If Flyer602 were here (intead of in Texas!) he would swear we should be sailing Christina this weekend?
Does anyone know anything about the ice up north.

Nite #246. Fast Orange. For sale by original owner. Boat is in very good condition. Two sets of runners with the newer set in excellent condition. Newer North sail, also in excellent condition. Cockpit cover, snap in seat cushion, everything you need to go sailing. Located near Minneapolis. $3800.
Rob Evans (612) 275-6010.
revans@mastersofsail.com

Dammm , and I'm still in Tx. but we are starting an E fleet, Black Tie for E's anyone this spring after iceboating? meyer

The 2014 Western Region Regatta is scheduled for Dec 13-14, 2014. This follows the prior weekends Great Western Challenge, scheduled on Dec 5-7 for the best ice in Minnesota.
The 48 racers who registered and paid for the attempt last January at Green Lake, Wi will be pre-registered.
With the next 10 days weather forecast, ice will soon be made in many locations.
Use this site for posting Minnesota ice conditions.
Official notices for the DN Western Regionals will be posted on the DN forum website.

Mike Miller
US5369
Western Region Rear Commodore

I wanted to give a shout out to our friend Tim Carlson of Sailcrafters for hosting our local swap meet last Saturday. Tim generously opened his loft and served coffee and donuts so the rest of us could turn our thoughts to iceboating. Thanks Tim! Much apprecaited!

No matter what class of boat you sail or race, on both soft and hard water, please do not hesitate to contact Tim for your loft and rigging needs.
Tim Carlson: Phone: 952-693-6089 Email: Tim@Sailcrafters.com
Web site: www.sailcrafters.com

The new C-Skeeter is finally ready for a great Minnesota winter of Hollywood ice. It was pretty windy when I set it up in the yard, and it powered up and jumped forward on the wood under the runners a couple of times, which was really scary. Sewed up a full set of covers, the trailer is done, two sets of runners are done, sharpened and aligned, now all we need is ice.

Iceboat swap meet Nov. 1, 2014 from 10am-2pm. at Sailcrafters, 7450 Oxford Street, St. Louis Park, MN. 55426.

Everyone welcome.

More info contact Tim 952-693-6089

FOR SALE: New Sarns DN hardware: chocks, mast base, steering posts, etc.

New Sarns DN hardware: chocks, mast base, steering posts, etc.
This is new hardware that has never been used.
Shipping to contiguous US 48 states as noted below.

Mast Base $44, free shipping (and no tax)
Mast Socket $29, free shipping (and no tax)
Mast Step $44, free shipping (and no tax)
Bushing set $33, free shipping (and no tax)
Outhaul bracket $32, free shipping (and no tax)
Side Chocks $190 , $10 shipping (and no tax)
Chock plate set $75, free shipping (and no tax)

FOR SALE: New Sarns 30" bull nose runners

New Sarns 30" bull nose runners
Black powder coat.
These have never been used. A couple of small scratches and a few crazings in the powder coat but that won't slow you down!
MSRP is $880. Yours for $700 and shipping at cost (or pickup in E. Lansing, MI or see you at a regatta!)