iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

Check out the image posted of today's fun by 7 DN's.

Not looking good! The good ice from Friday after 1/4 inch of rain has many low spots and now developing a shell ice issue at 27F. The ice is still confirmed at 3-5 inches but you can see a good 2 inches of water and ripples in this low spot just west of my home. I did not walk into this depression. The other photo is 5 feet from the ripples and a good inch if water with 1/4 inch shell! Bloom is on his way to further check it out. The wind is a perfect 10 mph. Stay tuned..
Coped from Minnesota iceboaters on FB. Hope the photos come thru.

Has anyone found ice on Tonka that is safe to sail?

Crystal bay froze earlier this week so last night I ventured out in front of my house but it is way too thin to be considered safe or sailable.

Has anyone checked any of the other bays?

us5432

mike miller's bay?

Is Pelican still the place to go for the upcoming weekend? Anyone seeing anything closer to the metro?

The pond known as Crane Lake located between Rigedale and Hopkins Cross Road was frozen when I went to work this morning!!!

It won't be long now.

Think Ice!

Mike Bloom
DN 5432

Just wondering now that the snow is off the lake, how to determine the quality of the Ice that is there.

Terry F and I had a great sunset rip on Tonka last night. Ice is smooth and hard. Planning on a late afternoon session today.

good for last season sail ,didn't find any hazards except for the Polar Plunge hole close to shore at Sand Pointe

Sailed the Lower Croix last Saturday for 30 miles with a top speed of 40. Ice was OK, but today was really nice. All the slush was gone!The drain holes are small and a non issue.
Had to wear my Wellies to get to my boat and 8 good inches of ice. Top speed today of 45 and 48 miles traveled. Not many days left though. What a season!
Might get another day or so to sail before the temps rot the ice beyond safe sailing.

Pulled the last skeeter and stern-steerer off the ice at Pepin yesterday. Ice at Pepin is still sailable but pretty rough. Landing is still OK for trailers.
Lake is opening fast above Lake City/ Stockholm.
Newcomb

For you tech heads out there...this is how the Canadians are monitoring and mapping lake ice with radar satellites.

http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/earth-sciences/geography-boundary/remote-sensing/...

They can tell the state and condition.

Since the Canadian own a couple commercial radar satellites (and the USA doesn't have any), they can easily provide this service like weather reports. NOAA could and should be doing this as a service considering the number of people who drown each year for going out on unsafe ice.

I sailed about 75 miles today (2-12-2012) w/ a top speed of 45.9 mph. Not to bad for sailing in 5-9 mph winds today. The ice is rough, the drifts aren't so bad to get through. definately not regatta ice, but it's sailable and a lot of fun.

Three boats sailed Cedar lake last Thurs. a little clattery but very little snow on ice. public launch off Hwy 13 at St Patrick. Cedar is about 10Mi south of Prior..

I am comint to Minneapolis this weekend and plan to drag my boat along. Where is a good site to set up and sail where my family could also play on the ice, but prehaps have a warm place to hang out too? Bar/restaurant? Thanks so much.

Bill Mintz
DN 5404
773-559-0377
bmintz@aol.com