iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

The 4LIYC says racing is called ON for the weekend of Feb. 11-12!
Launching at Mendota County Park. They report 12" of ice at the landing.
I am not aware of any Tonka DN sailors making the trip down.

(click for full report) What's the difference between fun, craziness, and stupidity? Ask someone else, because I have no idea. Today was an awesome high wind day on Waconia. Started out the day by breaking the false halyard rope while raising the sail, which was really a pain to get it fished out. Then proceeded with sailing in 20+ MPH winds, and I hit 80 MPH like nothing. With the rough ice, and sailing alone, speeds like that are not good, so I sat it out for a couple hours.

What is the best bet for sailing this weekend? Unsure how the Monday snow affected the lakes, hope none of it turned into the dreaded styrofoam. Kiters report 2" fell on WBL. I have nothing in my yard in Belle Plaine, so I would be willing to bet Waconia might still be great. Any reports from Tonka? Since no regattas this weekend, any local plans??

Sailed Waconia Saturday on the windsurfer-iceboard. Snow was 0-1" deep, no resistance, with a very occasional 3" drift that seemed to cause catapults. Ice is not perfect, still bumpy, but plenty good for the iceboard so any iceboat will not be an issue. I was all alone on a 2 mile x 2 mile great surface with few icefishermen on the main area. Sailed Bald Eagle lake on Sunday again on the iceboard. Snow was 0-1" deep, and also no real snow resistance. Ice was much more bumpy than Waconia. Counted 4 nites and 2 DN's. A great day.

(click for pictures) Well, Bald Eagle turned out to be a bust for racing on 12/31. Ice too rough. Looks so good but sucks so much. A little bit of recreational sailing for 3 nites, 1 DN and 1 Skeeter, but none of us lasted long. Got a good chance to test all the new Drifter parts and test for vibration resistance. Stiffer springboard is finally correct now, new runners worked great, new-used blade/storm sail seemed to work somewhat, new plank seems good but might need shims to get chocks flat. The plank is so hollow that you could hear the echo like a drum on the rough ice.

The Tonka Nite fleet will set-up Friday in front of the fire lane next to Harry Allen's in Cottagewood. Th ice will be rough. Be sure to scout the ice as the lake has not been sailed. Never sail alone. The Bald Eagle Nite Feet is already on the ice and plans club racing this weekend. Kudos to BEIYC Commodore Bill Reed for rallying the troops. The DNs are heading to Lake Kegonsa near Madison for Friday scrub racing with the 4 Lakes IYC. The best ice reportedly is in front of Springers.

There is ice on Kegonsa. I say we go down Friday and sail. You could also stay and sail the Grand Slam FUN Regatta which has ben called "Tentatively ON" for Dec 31, 2016 - Jan 1, 2017 on Kegonsa. 4 Lakes IYC Commodore Ken Norton reports 6" of hard ice, no snow, with a bit of ripple and no bumps. He rates it a 6.5 and a 7 in terms of quality.

Our friends in the Central Region, lead by Commodore Bill Cutting, had hoped to squeeze in the 2016 Central Championships before the new year. Unfortunately, the forecast is not cooperating. The word on the street is that the regatta will be canceled.

But, I do know they are sailing in Michigan. I have received reports that Struble, Sherry, Grogan and a few other speed freaks are sailing as I write this. They have great ice but a relatively small venue.

Pepin is being scouted today. Stay tuned for the report. Think Ice!

Might be a little rumbly for DNS. Prob ok larger boats. See if ok for fri. Sat. Sun. Otherwise. Lake city looks smoother. Meyer

Check In Towne Marina's Facebook page for updates on ice thickness. I live 40 ft. ,above the lake on the southern shore so I am able to see almost the entire lake. After our Christmas rain, no snow remains. Although it froze slushy so is rough. I would be happy to field phone calls at 952-442-4741. I believe the golf course restaurant is closed for the winter, but plenty of warm up locations in St. Bonifacius as well as Waconia. I'm an "old" iceboater from Tawas Bay, Michigan.

Main lake froze so unless snow blows off need to find a lake that is water sat am to freeze that night or sunday please report such a lake ?pepen Gull green lake spicer millacks???

The bay shorewood yc is open so hope enough clear ice by wed not huge area but goes to sun set pt put on at firelane end of hazel st off of to ka bay rd Meyer

Swede Lake (north of Waconia ) has 3 inches of smooth sailable ice. If you stayed local this weekend, come on out! Not much wind today, but probably enough. I am going to see up the ice surfer / free skate / windsurfer thing. I also drove by Waconia, which is half froze and will lock in tonight.

JD and Jimmy do the impossible: Find ice in Brainerd.
Friday is always the best day. See you there!

If anyone knows of anything that is frozen it would be great to hear from you.