iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

Today’s temperature is forecasted to reach the 70’s. That’s a far cry from the below zero temps we all complained about at the Great Western Challenge! Still, after today, the snow that prevented us from sailing on Tonka since last December will finally be gone.

Unfortunately, even though the snow may be gone, it does not mean we have regatta quality ice. Far from it. I walked out onto Crystal Bay last night and boy was it slushy. The slush is a good 6 to 8 inches deep. And, of course, with warm weather comes the dreaded drain holes.

The Fat Lady has sang for this skipper. Ice 20 ft. from shore gone, and 2-4 inches of slush.

I don't know if anyone is around the St Cloud area besides me, but, I am heading to Grand Lake near Rockville tomorrow to give it a try. Probably be there late morning at the public access. This evening, about 3/4" crunchy/slushy on top. Middle of the lake doesn't get fished much and looks to me that there are at least a few clear paths that shouldn't be too bumpy.

I looked at Buffalo Lake on Friday and appeared to have shell ice and generally looked rough as hell to me. I am a bit of a newbie to spring sailing, but I don't think I'd want to try Buffalo.

Tonka is not sailable. 5% shell ice, 25% old hard drifts, 30% old hard snowmobile tracks, 5% old plowed road and fish shack piles. What's left is a nice smooth re freeze. No way to steer around all the crap. Need a better Zamboni job!
My Pepin report last night sounds much better. They only had rain with no wet snow on Thursday eve!
I hope to get a walk on and photo report today, in case anyone is interested in a day trip on Sunday.

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However- Back in Minnetonka we have very good chance of ice Sat-Sun. May be a little rough but after an entire season has just about snowed by, time to get out and check it out.
Re: 2014 IDNIYRA -Western Regional Regatta - NOR & Registration

« Reply #9 on: Today at 08:34:32 AM »

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Struble Chocks for sale- all cut out for Kent-style stiffeners.
Studs included- $300/pair
Contact T for info-

James "T" Thieler
12 Channing St.
Newport, RI 02840

401 258 6230
t_thieler@yahoo.com

CSI plank for sale- Cedar and glass, 2 1/2" of crown, bends 1 1/2" with 190 lb of weight.

Good for a heavier sailor or take a sander to it and soften it up a bit....

Gloss black Awlgrip paint, foot pads installed, holes drilled for Struble chock studs.

$750

Contact T for details and photos

401 258 6230
t_thieler@yahoo.com

Late last night, after hearing the Western Championship Regatta had been postponed, I decided to unload my iceboat trailer. It was a warm night and rather than move the trailer closer to the house I figured I could use the exercise and carry everything the 40 to 50 feet to the basement door.

I needed to move 10 sets of runners, 2 sails, a mast and a tool box: If my math was correct, I could get it all there in about 7 trips.

Don't shoot the messenger!
The DN Western Regional Championship Regatta tentatively scheduled for this weekend has been postponed. Never a good thing this late in the year.
Think ice!

DN
1st 5501 Peter Olebeke 2 3 2 1 8.0
2nd 5432 Mike Bloom 3 4 1 3. 11.0
3rd 4961 John Davenport 4 2 3 2. 11.0
4th 602 Tom Meyer 5 1 5 4. 15.0
E-Skeeters (Bubble Boats)
1st Jay Yaeso 1.0 1.0 9.0. 11.0
2nd Mark Isabell 5.0 3.0 5.0. 13.0
3rd John Dennis 2.0 13.0 DNF 1.0. 16.0
4th Dan Clapp 4.0 2.0 13.0 DSQ. 19.0

The jinx is over!

Scott Brown, the best Nite sailor to have never won a national championship finally earned top honors. Scott was crowned 2014 Nite National champion this past weekend on Green Lake, WI.

Details are sketchy but his competitors report that Scott thoroughly dominate the regatta. Scott won the first 4 races and then sealed the deal with a top three finish in the 5th and final race.

Scott now joins an exclusive list of Tonka sailors who have won on the National stage.

Congratulations, Scott.

Hear yea hear yea. Meyer wins race 2!

March 14 - 16 Green Lake, Wisconsin
Results as of 16:27 on March 14, 2014
Overall
Sailed: 2, Discards: 0, To count: 2, Entries: 14, Scoring system: Appendix A
Rank SailNo HelmName R1 R2 Total Notes
1st 5501 Peter Olebeke 2.0 3.0 5.0
2nd 602 Tom Meyer 5.0 1.0 6.0
3rd 4961 John Davenport 4.0 2.0 6.0
4th 5432 Mike Bloom 3.0 4.0 7.0
5th 5536 Matt Schmidt 1.0 9.0 10.0
6th 4140 Peter Hoeper 8.0 5.0 13.0
7th 2360 Pete Johns 7.0 6.0 13.0
8th 5369 Mike Miller 6.0 8.0 14.0
9th 5449 Mike Madge 9.0 7.0 16.0

More info at:
http://dnamerica.org/forum/index.php?topic=1575.msg5435#msg5435

Has found a new home-

I need a set of Dn bullnose runners.
Bruce 612-481-9311