iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

We haven't even sailed the Great Western Challenge (December 4,5,6, 2015) but already the Notice of Race for the 2016 World Championship and European Championship has been posted on the DN European website (http://idniyra.eu/?p=2995). Registration for the WC and EC begins December 1, 2015.

Went to a good home on Muskegon lake in lower Michigan.

Now there is no excuse for not having the fastest gear. And, if you are new to iceboating or if you are just curious about the sport, you are more than welcome to attend.

Tonka Swap Meet: Sailcrafters is holding its annual iceboat swap meet at its loft on Saturday, November 7, 2015 from 10am -1 pm, 7450 Oxford Street, St. Louis Park, MN. Bring stuff you want to sell or bring your checkbook if you're looking for things to buy.

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/boa/5231295112.html

"Very well built DN ice boat, ready to sail. 4 sets of blades, wooden mast. I have an aluminum mast (no boom) that could easily be converted for the boat. $1500"

DN for sale-Gougeon hull,sarns blunts,stainless angles,extra mast,harken,blocks,hull and mast covers, asking 2300. jwood, 952-469-2725 or jdwood@frontiernet.net

In Canada, they are always thinking Ice. While up in Ottawa last week, ran across this Canadian Citizen Science "Ice Watch" postcard where citizens monitor ice on and ice off conditions for Environment Canada.

More info can be found at:

https://www.naturewatch.ca/icewatch/

Maybe NOAA can take a clue from this......

The fall issue of RUNNER TRACKS (the magazine of the IDNIYRA) is available online at http://runnertracks.org/.
It won’t be long now so Think Ice!

Sailcrafters will be hosting their annual iceboat swap meet on Saturday, November 7th from 10-1 at their sail loft , 7450 Oxford Street, St. Louis Park, MN. Bring stuff you want to sell or your checkbook if you're looking for things to buy. Last year a DN and Nite exchanged ownership along with some trusted old parts.

If you're new to the sport or just curious, you are more than welcome to attend.

This is the Grand Daddy of all swap meets, hosted yearly by the Skeeter Ice Boat Club. Swap, buy, and sell new and used iceboats and equipment. More equipment changes hands at this swap meet than all others combined. If you want to buy or sell something this is the place to be. There is no charge for participating. Boat builders & hardware manufacturers will display new products.
Date: Sunday, November 8, 2015
Time: 9 AM until Noon
Location: Lucke's Cantina
220 N. Elkhorn Rd.
(WI Hwy 67), Williams Bay, WI.
For more info email: sailing19@charter.net

Every year, in the spring, John Bushey (DN 5158), spends a few weeks quietly boiling maple sap at his sugar shack on the shores of Lake Riley. The fruit of his labor is the best maple syrup you will ever taste. This year, however, you need not take my word for it. This year, there is undeniable proof.

No ice these days, but there is plenty of faster-than-the-wind sailing to be done...

Here's a video of Geoff (US-5156) and Jim (US-5566) getting in some close-quarters boat-handling practice a few weeks ago:
This is one of the videos on my YouTube "blokart Sailing" playlist.

Always hard to get started on iceboat work in the summer. Below is a video of construction of another new mast for the C skeeter. I have no idea what I am doing, and it won't be my first mast failure when I break it. Not sure if I actually have enough motivation (and money for carbon) to get it done, but it's a start. I don't know how to embed video very well, so it may take a couple tries. Think ice !!!!

Mattison designed hull, rumble seat A skeeter. Formerly John Hudak’s “Ho-Hum II”. Hopefully the new owner (unknown) returns it to it's former glory!! Don't be afraid to ask for help and advice if needed. There are a few of us crazy skeeter guys in Minnesota who are always willing to help.

It is never too early to think ice!
2016 DN Worlds: Austria! January 23 to January 30, 2016

Who's "in!"

The ice boat season is over...at least on Tonka.

The lake is officially liquid again as the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office declared "ice-out" on Sunday morning, April 5, 2015.