iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

All the frames are mounted to the form and all the chines are glued on. It's starting to look like an iceboat. Man this thing is small. I will have to loose a few pounds before winter.

Maybe the season really is over.
Duluth MN and Superior WI news outlets report that icebreaking on Great Lakes has finally ended. May 15 was the final day. All totaled, there was 160 days of ice breaking this past winter and the cutters assisted with nearly 950 commercial vessel passages.

This winter is believed to have produced the thickest and most expansive ice cover on the Great Lakes in the past 35 years.

It’s official! Mike Miller, DN 5369, is the new Western Region Commodore!!!

Thank you, Commodore Miller, for your willingness to serve the DN fleet.

And to echo Deb Whitehorse: “Many thanks to outgoing WR Commodore Julie Jankowski for her unwavering dedication to the DN class during her three years as Commodore.”

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.