The Heaven's opened and lowered down a “Miracle Zamboni” on Lake Minnetonka last night. I walked the lake last night at 12:30am after getting my boat back together after a long hiatuses in the work shop. I so wanted to set up my boat last night and go for a rip in the heavy air but duty calls.

Ice Condition:
60-80% standing water on lake. < ½ inch
Snow is all gone on main lake though some snow around the shoreline
Rough spots are much smoother than before but still a little rough

I don’t think the ice is regatta ice but it is sailing ice.

I call iceboating “ON” for Lake Minnetonka.

Final site for the NA & CDN Championships - Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin!

Scraped from the IDNIYRA Bulletin Board

Posted by: Claude Morin on January 26, 2006 at 09:03:16:

The site of the 2006 North American and Canadian DN Championships is Appleton WI on beautiful Lake Winnebago.

Further details concerning race head quarters, lodging, launch site etc. will follow later today and tomorrow.

Those travelling long distances should check our Hot line (802-985-1469) daily for updates.

Respectfully,

Claude Morin
Regatta Chairman
Sail # 5001

White Bear is boatable. Fairly smooth and probably no snow by Saturday. Especially the bay in front of White Bear Boat Works on the west side. Not quite big enough for a good race course but big enough for scrub racing(3/4 mile course)or crusing. The main lake is probably good but I have not been out there lately.

Fellow wind junkies,
Cornboy and I went Kite Skiing on Saturday Jan 21st out of Cottagewood the wind was 15-25 gusting to 30 out of the SE.

When I finally got back to the set up area I said to Cornboy, “I wish I was on my ice boat that was fucking scary”.

Ice conditions:
The ice is rough especially near lake access points (ATV and snowmobile tracks in ice)
80% ice 20% snow
Snow less than ½ inch

I didn’t go out to the center of the main lake since I didn’t think I could get back in the gusty wind.

Well worth setting a boat for a scouting mission I think the ice is good for cruising but maybe not racing. Personally, I would sail on the lake this weekend but you know me I don’t always us the best judgment.

Greetings,

Last year I asked the same question as a "blog", but will try it again. My dad is sailing in Madison, and I am stuck here with a garage full of tools and no lumber to work on. Called several saw mills today looking for Basswood, but only found one board 13+ feet long. But, as we all know, I would need two pieces to make it work. Any suggestions on where to locate lumber to build my new DN?

Thanks,

William Schmiedlin
Shakopee

Ten Minnnesota Ice Sailing Assn DN's Sailed on Lake Pepin yesterday, Sunday. We sailed ten or so races, legs might have been two miles long, certainly long enough.

The 10 mph, g 18, wind gave some very good rides, Yee Haa!, 4691 of course was fast, 4811 and 5214 showed some moments of speed. The ~ 1" of snow had blown around a bit, big dividends were earned by the guys who's snow program's were working well, althought there was a mix of runners used, Skiny Inserts, Blunts and Snow Plates. The 50% snow cover was noticible when sailing, and it rewarded keeping the boat very hot.

There were a couple of emerging hazards, one compelled the relocation of the marks, With the size of the sailing area we didn't have any trouble just moving a 1/4 mile.

Calling all sternsteers from the land of viking.
Next weekend Lake Winnabago. Check out iceboat.org for more details Flirt II

Hi!

There have been some very nice pictures on ice surfers on this site but not really how you made the steering.

I have sailed some ice surfers based on a skate board (long board) concept with four runners. The foot steering on those is a little bit to nervous in high speed though.

By the way, did you ever log your speed with gps? It would be interesting to know your all time high with the three runner surfer.

Surf on,
Per.

Packing for the NAs, which I expect to be in the East. I have the following stuff that could be for sale, and will be packed if interest is expressed:

Runners:

1. Steel near min T's, wood bodies, 36 inch 100 deg side runners, 90 deg 32 in steering runner. Set: $600

2. Pair of 3/16 Sarns steel 36 in inserts. Carbon sides. One rebuilt, body (maple core), one original body by Tod Gambel (birch ply core). Both straight and sit identically in chocks (interchangable, left to right). If they are not sold, these will be my steering and back-ups at NAs. Pair $700

Sails:

1. Doyle (Boston) FO-2 for composite mast, 4" shortened leech. Best for stiff mast (more rake) wide range of conditions. Also great with with soft mast set straighter with rig very low. $325 with battens, $260 without.

Minesota Ice Sailing Association is pleased to announce Sailing this weekend, Lake Pepin, Lake City, MN.

Launch Site, South Side City Ramp.

First Start, Saturday 11:00 am local time

6 Gold Fleet DN Sailors indicate they plan to tune-up prior to next weekend's North American Championship Regatta. A detailed ice condition report on this expansive sheet of ice will be posted upon completion of this weekend's sailing.

Sailors of all abilities are welcome.

It's gonna be great.

4695

Pepin, as good as it gets! Saturday we sailed in 6-8 mph on a one mile course. The Doctor put up a new mast and was very fast from the beginning. He won the first three races easily. I changed runners after the first race without much result. After the third race I stiffened my rig and like magic I was fast enough to finish ahead the next two races. Doctor of course change his boat again and out did all of us the last two races.

Sunday we decided that point to point racing had a place in iceboating. Lake City, Minnesota to Pepin, Wisconsin. Oh ya, Not sure of the exact distance, it seemed like about 7 or so miles ( farther than you could see).

I'm heading to Oshkosh Friday PM for the Nite regatta, and my two-up trailer is only half full.

If you need a ride, maybe we can work something out. Let me know.

Scott Brown
NITE 559

Gold Fleet

Ice on Lake Pepin was about 90% clear at Pepin. Fishermen report 6" of ice at the lower (Pepin) end of the Lake. Ice was firm with no noticable cracks but little on the rough side, especially for the DN's. Iceboater should use caution since there is still a lot of open water above Stockholm/Lake City.

We had about 9 boats sailing out of Pepin on Saturday with realy light winds. Sunday we had steady winds until 2:00 when it pretty much died. 8-9 boats sailing. Great time.

My thanks to the crew who helped get the mast up on the Rum Runner on Saturday.

E.C.Newcomb

Minnesota club sailing scheduled for Saturday Jan 14th.
Start time 11am, 7 races scheduled.
One mile courses, longer if you like.

Launching at the ramp in downtown Lake City. The same ramp as last years Western Regional Regatta.
If anyone remembers the name of that ramp please post.

The Ice is a 8 on a ten scale and looked very fast. We checked it last night on the way home from Wisconsin.
More info call 612 840 9855

iceboating.net events