iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

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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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.

http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/webdata/cwops/html/modis/modis.php?regi...

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/auto-theft-ring-targets-luxury-ca...

Auto theft ring targets luxury cars in hotel parking lots
Quebec police bust thieves shipping stolen vehicles to Africa
CBC News Posted: Jan 22, 2013 8:46 AM ET Last Updated: Jan 22, 2013 1:25 PM ET

More than 80 officers from local and national police forces today raided an international auto-theft ring based in the Montreal area.

Joyce Kemp, spokeswoman for Quebec provincial police, said the network had been under investigation since October.

Have been waiting all season for a wind event when it's not + 40 or -20 degrees. Have been waiting two years for the right ice conditions for studded tires. We've now got friable lumpy ice and a Thursday wind forecast in the mid 20's. Could be an interesting day.

Here's a the video from sailing through the shell ice on Green Lake during the first attempt of a Western Regional.

Any reports,the satellite image is showing new ice on the North Shore.
http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.cgi/modis?region=s&page=1&t...

let's hope the west end freezes monday night. east end is frozen and madison frozen with big dump sunday. bring your optis too. meyer

The ice is still good and sailable as of 12/14. 2-3 inches of generally powdery snow. Not much resistance, but still takes more than a 3 mph "breeze". So sad when mother nature doesn't cooperate. 1 more Nite and 1 more DN set up now.

any ice report from there??? meyer

A shoreline report from Lake City shows about 2 inches of new snow over solid ice. No significant pressure ridges noted. When it warms up Thurs or Fri, my contact will take a walk out to see how smooth it is.

harry allen reports that a large of area of the main lake opened up and refroze sat. so only has the little bit of snow on it from sunday. In front of his house etc also may be sailable as last big strong storm fell into water on the ice. So plan on setting up at harry's. meyer