iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

Ice conditions are between very good and beyond description in a significant portion of the state. (we haven't been on one without hazards however)

Forecast is favorable for much of our 6th straight week of Iceboating in Minnesota.

Sailors are known to be set up on White Bear, and Upper and Lower Minnetonka, ya sure, there are probably other guys out there sailing, don't know who or where... yet.

When I look at the current snow cover map, all I'm seeing is miles and miles of boatable ice which we should be identifying and tracking in anticipation of the upcoming regatta season.

All you need is Ice.

4695

15 DN sailed Spring Park Bay today... the ice was pebbled nicely as the curlers would say... little round dots of ice over a sheet of snow ice covering the mirror we sailed on Wednesday.

In 8-15 mph of breeze 15 DNs knocked off a couple heats in a more or less perfect Christmas Eve day sail... lots of old friends and new visiting the ice.

Amusingly Santa seemed to visit 602 today, demonstrating some serious gold fleet speed with a string of thirds to 4691 and 4824.

A number of other iceboats were also getting some great rips.

Week Six begins tomorrow... it'll be great... again.

My wife and I just finished cruising on our sailboat and I want to try this sport.

If you guys could pick any place in the country to live and ice boat for a winter, where would you live and what lake would you focus on.

We are thinking about driving up in Jan. and hanging out to sail with you guys.

At sunset last night there was a fair amount of slush remaining on the ice surface of Lake Minnetonka.

Now that we've had a little while for that rain water/ slush to drain Lake Minnetonka, Sailors will walk the ice this morning... and post a report:

Wayzata Bay, 0815, Saturday, The slush surface is currently shell ice, that is, about 1/4 inch of matte as opposed to gloss finish surface ice, with about 1/2" of slush/water between the top layer, and the ice surface , yet to freeze. I expect it will freeze tonite, leaving us with an inch of snow ice over the wonder ice surface we had before the rain/snow on Thursday.

I'm looking to find out how bad the damage was after yesterdays little winter storm. The good thing is the predictions of 3" - 5" didn't materialize in most of the TC Metro area.

How are things looking on Spring Park Bay?

Main lake of Minnetonka even frozen yet?

Will F

I know, this is a MN site, but what the hell.

I am banished to a week at the in-laws in Saginaw, Michigan over the holidays. My wife, recognizing my dilemma says, "Why not bring the boat along". Hmm, perhaps not a bad idea...

So, could someone please comment on sailing locations and ice conditions in central Michigan? Saginaw is very close to Bay City, fwiw, and about 2 hours from Detroit. I guess I can handle a 120 mile radius for a daysail, no problem.

If anyone has plans to iceboat the week between Christmas and New Year's, please let me know ASAP. I leave Satuday morning 12/23 and if I hear from no one before then, I will probably skip the idea. Name, number below...

Just a general question. Do you guys strictly race only one-design classes? If someone shows up with an odd iceboat are they allowed to race ... even if it's only academic? If allowed, are the odd boats just an irritation to the one-design classes?

All I have at the moment is an Isabella style boat. My next boat won't be any one-design boat either.

Thanks,
Dave

December 19, 2006
In The News
Cable station CNBC will run a story on ice boating on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week. I'm not sure of the time but will post any further information when I receive it.

3 DN's sailed Spring Park Bay, just rippin in light air on perfect ice again late yesterday afternoon, now in our 5 straight week on "the good stuff" in Minnesota.

Thats before taking the boats down in anticipation of Thurday's predicted weather system.

We're pretty sure to see something fall from the sky, the current forecast discussion indicates the majority of precip will fall south of the Twin Cities, leaving a very high probability that we'll have excellent ice available somewhere in Minnesota for this weekends sailing. We just may have to go looking for it.

My husband is longing for an iceboat but we can't swing it right now either financially or time-wise...I'd love to get him a 1/2 day of iceboating as a Christmas gift which he would absolutely love. He's an exerienced Hobie sailor and windsurfer. Is anyone willing to make a few bucks and give this deserving man a 1/2 day of heaven? We live in Tonka Bay right across the street from the lake. Need to know soon. Thanks!!!

Wow - another awesome weekend at White Bear. Despite the fact that we had less than 40 hours of temps at or below freezing in the last week, we lost very little ice thickness. The ice is still 4 - 6 inches in most places. The surface is near perfect although slightly mottled.

Not a lot of wind Saturday, but the breeze was 8 - 14 mph today, averaging around 10 most the time. Not too much ice boat traffic as I think people were nervous about the warm weather.

CAUTION: between the Peninnsula and the Island there is a long stretch of wide open water along the pressure ridge mentioned last week. One Nite sailor lost it into the hole and destroyed his boat but thankfully scrambled to safety (broken mast went through the deck!). Many boats stopped to help in the rescue effort - never sail alone!

I spoke with US 4824 just now... US 824 sailed the Spring Park Bay sailing area last night for 90 minutes without incident... his reported observation was the ice was smoother than last weekend... and about the same thickness.

4824 fished the bay Wednesday evening, in excess of 20 whacks with a sharp chisel point spud to penetrate, 5-6" observed where he fished.

Based on this, we plan an 11:00 start tomorrow in Spring Park... if ice is unsuitable, we'll contemplate moving to the wonder ice in Waconia or Buffalo (less than 20 miles)

Alternatively, there are boats set up in the Cottagewood firelanes of the lower lake, there's a high probability they'll find the excelsior bay, echo bay areas of the lower lake to be suitable... look for a post on ice conditions there as well.

Walked on echo bay, from wekota beach park, tonka bay, mn this afternoon ~ 3:30 there's a fair amount of water standing on the ice, ~ 20-30% coverage...

The sun/water have gotten to the top 1/8 - 1/4 inch of surface, leaving it a bit opaque, cracks show about 4" of ice, without the means to bore some holes, and objectively assess the ice thickness, we opted not to sail...

Based on this observation and the forecast I anticipate setting up on Saturday in Spring Park Bay to check the ice... sailing if suitable, looking Northward if not...

think ice

4695

McDonagh Brothers Computer Consulting's
Annual Holiday Party
We would like to join with you in celebrating the relationships that enrich our lives and give meaning to our daily activities.

We appreciate the special relationships we have with our clients (and iceboaters..) and look forward to the opportunity to express our thanks for a successful year.

When:
Thursday, December 14th
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Where:
McDonagh Brothers Computer Consulting
2205 California Street NE
Suite #101
Minneapolis
612.435.2000

We'll have plenty of holiday cheer and food.