iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

I got to the ice about 10:30 good breeze, supposed to build* and in that light, set the boat up for sailing in a breeze, plate runners, mast stood up, and the sides loose as they go.

Some pretty big shots were coming thru. 5366's text told me "...G25 mph!"

The lake is about 80 % snow ice with 20 % like glass, the snow ice isn't terribly smooth. There is snow covering now about 30 - 40 percent of the lake.

Did I mention the Wind Forecast, sailing out of the landing area, under the shore, the boat slowed noticibly in the drifts, thought I might have to push, A little shot came down lifting the windward runner about 3 feet in the air, I tossed the tiller hard, and barely kept the runners under the plank, Yee-Ha!

I am pleased to report the Western Challenge Regatta is ON of Lake Pulaski, in Buffalo, MN.

Launch Site is Griffing Park in the SW Corner of the lake.

Here's the deal, the lake is 75 clear snow ice, a bit rumbly in places and 25 % 1" drifts, it's improved dramatically since Sunday. That said, I don't want to be accused of over selling the event, or the ice conditions. It is suitable and we've sailed regattas on worse.

Given the postponement of a week and the emergence of ice in other regions, we're not expecting a record crowd this year, details will be posted tomorrow.

4695

Many DN's are expected to be setting up over the next 24 hours at Lake Pulaski, Buffalo MN, the primary site for the Great Western Challenge Regatta.

A very favorable forecast for most of the week, warmer temps, dry with some breeze should see people ripping out there most of the week.

It's gonna be amazing!

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As of now, the primary site for the 2008 Great Western Challenge Regatta is Lake Pulaski, Buffalo, MN

There isn't a lot of extra room on the ice, but there should be plenty for what we have in mind.

Additional details to follow...

It's gonna be Amazing!

4695

The Icemaker 4695 just called in after checking Lake Pulaski Friday, Dec. 7. He reports 1/2" of snow over 3" black ice. Boats will be meeeting there at 11 am Saturday, Dec 8 for a better look and sail.

He is also calling Pulaski as a primary site for the Great Western Challenge 2007, part duex.

Map of Pulaski

Looks like a public launch in the SW corner.

Adam
US 5366

"A lot can happen in the middle of nowhere."

4691 just phoned in an ice report, Gull Lake, Minnesota, the Tuesday snow on the lake has caused the lake to flood... it's currently slush, but looks completely locked in. expect it to freeze down over the next two days... at noon 2 degrees F,

Volunteers are solicited for an ice checking expedition on Sunday.

Other ice reports from local lakes are pending at this posting.

It's gonna be amazing_g

The primary site for the International Ice Opti North American Championships are ON for this weekend.

Eight Points Lake, Clare, Michigan. Please check the
ICE OPTI REGATTA ON NOTICE

After inspecting Green Lake, Spicer this morning... it's my sad duty to report that Mother Nature finally bested us... there are no known regatta grade sheets of ice in Minnesota, or Wisconsin or Iowa...

The Great Western Challenge Regatta, after consultation, is postponed one week...

ice checking, and potential sailing venues will be determined tomorrow afternoon for weekend club sailing, ice checking expeditions....

the First Ice Opti North American Championships REMAINS ON for this weekend, Eight Points Lake, Clare Michigan.

Details on Green Lake, Spicer, the lake is reported to have frozen on Sunday Night of this week, after the first storm, the second dumped a reported 2.5 inches of snow on the ice, it's blown around a bit, but is expected to be suitable for club sailing this weekend.

At this moment, our recent promising venues are under attack of a snow event… as of 4:00 Tuesday, Local time.

We really won’t know until morning. Intermittently we’ve had a number of locations become suitable and then immediately unsuitable,

Here’s what I see so far…
Lake Onalaska near Lacrosse, WI was reported to be boatable, right now @ 0930 , snow is forecast, contingent on that, this must be considered a primary site (under threat of snow,it will be inspected again at in late morning today)

Green Lake, Spicer MN, Froze Sunday Night, as some of those areas got less than 2" of snow, an immediate inspection is called for.

We've had encouraging inital observations on several lakes...

Clear Lake,in soon to be annexed, IA, was reported to be very attactive looking on a drive by... we're soliciting ice reports there.

Pepin, at Lake City, for no particular objective reason, Pepin, bless her, freezes in lovely sections about a week apart... somebody ranked by the fleet will drive, walk, and report tomorrow.

Central MN Lakes, e.g., Gull, Battle Lake, Ottertail, Big Cormorant, The main body of Gull was reported frozen after the snow... Ottertail, Battle and Cormorant were reported open prior to the storm.

Here's the process... I recommend we all send everybody we know in minnesota an email and ask them if their lake's frozen in the last 24 hours, we've gotten some endouraging info so far,

based on what we learn today we'll dispatch ice checkers for tomorrow, and accumulate some actionable information...

I expect we'll see people sailing on Wednesday, to check ice suitability for the upcoming Great Western Challenge Regatta!

It's gonna be amazing!

4695

Greetings,
Hopefully this isn't to redundant, I scanned posts back a year...

I am very interested in boating, almost bought a Slicer this morning... Anyway, With the cost of some boats starting in the 1000's what's a new boater to do. The money isn't really the problem but I don't want to over buy if it's only a few times a season which brings me to my first question. Now that Saint Paul, MN has snow and little ice is the season over before it started?

I am an experience furniture maker and novice welder with a substantial supply of tools and what I believe to be full plans to a DN60.

12 DNs showed up early in the day in hopes of sailing before the snow moved in. Some new faces, which is great. Unfortunately, the snow came early and it become an exercise in setting up and tearing down the boats. Such is life.

So the iceboats packed it up and the kiteboarders moved in. For the record, there are three significant holes.

Browner
5298

November 30, 2007

Buffalo was showing circa 20% open water so we played it safe and convened on Swede Lake. 6-7 DN's turned it lose on ice grade 8 of 10. Thickness is 4-5 inches.

Wind was up, 12G15, so were the speeds!

There are three smallish open areas marked by red cones so keep a look out.

5 boats are set up for an early AM session before the snow flies.

Vi ses i Sverige!
Pics here:
Svenska Sunset

Adam
US5366