iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

I have an old wood spar that I think is from a class A stern steerer. It's a gaff type rig (3 pieces) with the boom and mast being about 28' in length.

A sectional view would be round.

It has been stored in our Minneapolis shop since the late '50s and in some garage, for who knows how long, before that. The boat was probably sailed on Lake Minnetonka.

Let me know if someone out there would have a use for this.

612-872-4100 ext 28

The Minnesota Ice Sailing Association is pleased to announce the 2006 Western Challenge Regatta is scheduled for December 1,2 & 3, 2006 Best Ice, Western Region.

The primary site is Milepost 8, Lake Christina near Ashby, MN.

Additional information regarding this epic sailing event will be posted two weeks prior to the event.

Now in our 15th year, the Western Challenge Regatta has become The Place to begin the iceboat race season. Tune up against some of the very best sailors in the world.

In addition to a huge sheet of perfect ice, a World Class 50+ boat fleet, and more sailing than your neck can handle. We're planning on some exciting new things for '06 that will both improve your iceboating experience and elevate the game, both for individual sailors and the fleet.

I have too many speed sails! I'd like to sell one. $450.00 including battens.

^612-840-9855

JD

NWS Forecast, Battle Lake, MN, FYI there were reportedly over a hundred vehicles on the ice last Sunday. Of course they've probably had some rain, planks to the ice may be called for.

Today: Rain likely, mixing with snow after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 44. Breezy, with a north northwest wind between 22 and 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 19 to 22 mph decreasing to between 9 and 12 mph.

Saturday: Partly cloudy, with a high around 48. Northeast wind 8 to 14 mph becoming south southeast.

[Apologies for the multi-site posting of this item...]

I'm hoping someone can help me. Through a convoluted series of misadventures, I never picked up the 2nd place Bronze Fleet trophy (just the keeper mug) from the NAs this year.  I'm hoping someone out there may know where it got to after the regatta.  If you do, please drop me a note at: us5156@geoff-s.net or give me a call at 608-235-3746.

Cheers,

Geoff S.
DN US-5156

Sailed Calhoun this AM, started about 8:00 and finished about 10:00, slush runners the whole time.Motorist on Calhoun BLVD say's he was doing 40 and we were passing him on lake so it was pretty good for a couple of hours. jw

NOAA Detailed 7 Day Forecast - Battle Lake, MN

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ifps/MapClick.php

Today: A chance of rain and snow. Cloudy, with a high around 37. Southeast wind between 12 and 15 mph becoming light. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph.

3 DN's reportedly sailed Minnetonka today in 12 - 20 mph wind. Look for a report on conditions experienced by those who sailed.

I drove up I 94 from the Twin Cities Saturday to log a little much needed time with the Princess. Unlike Wisconsin, the Center of the Iceboating World, It's been unquestionably winter in Minnesota until quite recently, (cold temps, snow, etc).

We ran out of the snow just north of the cities, (Rogers) and were subantially clear of snow all the way to Fergus Falls. Right now there are perhaps 40 pretty good spring lakes lakes in Minnesota, (suitable for sailing), e.g., generally clear of snow, solid shore, lots of ice and the sun hasn't gotten to it yet.

From Wekota Beach Park I walked halfway across Tonka Bay towards Big Island. The snow cover is down to the level where it's just starting to show grey on ~ 90 % of the area. This surface is ~ 1/4" of very dense snow, it easily gives way and compresses under foot to the underlying ice surface. The drifted 10% were generally under 1" deep consisting right now of perfect snowball fight grade snow.

http://iceboating.net/node/1396

The weekend weather forecast should take all the snow off by Sunday Afternoon, when we'll get down to the slush program for a little while.

Assessment: Right now, I'd be setting up with snow plates, bringing every runner I own, just in case. When the breeze fills in conditions will probably request a couple runner changes over the next 30 hours, e.g., at some point tomorrow afternoon I'm pretty sure angles will be the fastest, but who knows. I expect the lake will be suitable for at least a week.

Just in time for your off-season building projects, the 4LIYC Juniors are selling Sitka Spruce and other iceboat building wood. ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SUPPORT THE 4LIYC JUNIORS PROGRAM, so step up with your order! Orders accepted until April 20.

This webpage has been updated with a section showing runner alignment using both the beam and laser techniques.

http://www.carbondragon.us/iceboat/runner_align.htm

/Adam

Ok, sharpen your runners and pack up your gear for the 2006 GTIYC Fun Regatta. Baring a major snow event during the next several days, the 2006 GTIYC Fun Regatta will happen this weekend (March 18 & 19) on either South Lake Leelanau at the Bingham Road Launch or on Houghton Lake off the DNR launch in the SW corner of the lake.

South Lake Leelanau will be sailed tomorrow and Houghton Lake will be sailed on Thursday. The final venue call will be announced on Thursday evening by hot line, E-mail and web sites. Launch site maps will be available at www.gtiyc.com on Thursday evening.

Get ready now so we can beat the extra large lady that is warming up in the soprano section!

I just read on the Iceboat.org that the Northwest Regatta is called on for Winnebago next weekend. Rumor has it that they are "driving around all over the place" on thick ice.

Maybe a the DN Western Region Spring Regatta isn't totally improbable?

Cheers,

Geoff S.
DN US-5156

Talked to a few of the regulars. We're thinking it will be too soft & slushy today. Tonight 26 degrees should be enough to firm it up nicely. Still tons of thick, smooth ice out there. Meeting at the fire alley at 8am, Cottagewood beach or St. Louis bay will also work for launching.

Let's go boaten!