iceboating.net Minnesota Ice Sailing Association

Sailed the whole lake yesterday. The rain that came with Wednesday's snow kept the lake free of snow. There are some pressure ridges that every one avoided but it is generally safe and clear. Got in two official races yesterday and we are trying for more today. Racing starts at about 1:00. DNs, Notes, even a Skeeter are sailing out there. Hoping to get a historic stern steerer or two to join us. Casual racing. Hopefully the snow falling now won't amount to much. And we can still sail next weekend.

Does anyone have a report on the ice conditions on the main lake?

Black Ice Friday.

We are going with Buffalo.
Launch at Sturgis Park

Buffalo was all frozen up on Sunday. Although we did get that heavy wind on Monday and Tuesday, so who knows.

I'm going to go check it out tomorrow and see what's what. Nobody has been out on it yet, so If you go, be careful. It might have blown out on Monday and only have an inch on it.

I'll report back tomorrow.

Spring Park Bay of Lake Mtka. has kicked!
Photo taken at 11 AM Wed Nov 27. One inch only as far as you can see! Give it a few more days and could be a great sheet! I am going to be near Swede at 10 AM Thursday to walk it and spud a couple holes. Preliminary report from last week is it has some rough ice.
Meyer and I plan to sail some ice somewhere on Friday-Sunday.
Miller

As we get the iceboats out in the coming days, if you are wondering about long term trends in lake ice formation dates, here are a couple quick references for you to scan during the football border battles this weekend:

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/289/5485/1743

This first one by Magnuson et al is the research that convince me over a decade ago climate change was happening. (Probably one of the best 'simple' research approaches to measure climate change.)

Note: you need a subscription access via directly, your library or work to access the full article.

As of 2 PM, Friday, Nov. 22nd, Swede was 70% open water.

Browner

I know I am not the only one doing some shop work this summer, so let's keep the website goin' and share what's new for next season. Picture attached of the plank for my new C Skeeter. Unfortunately, the plan is to not complete this until 2014, so my wife doesn't kill me for working on the boat every day.

Anyone know of sailable conditions for this coming weekend? Clear Lake, Iowa? Okoboji?

Got an itch. Needs scratching.

Browner

White fronted geese have entered SE Iowa, which has been a harbinger of the death of the ice season in these parts. Nice while it lasted. The snow maps show NW Iowa as clear and the ice fishing shanties are still up. Clear Lake, Ia. is still sucking up vehicles.

North end looks pretty good from Satelite.
The Big Bay here is pretty much locked in with fresh ice.Good news is when you have 300+ miles of square ice there is lots of room for the ice fishers.

http://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=t1&product=true_...

Sadly, little access on the lower Croix, but no fisherman, sno machines.... 3miles long and a mile wide.
It's lonely out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jZlxGqiHkg

The DN Worlds and North American Championship is next week and it would be nice to have a ranked sailor check out Lake City.

Any volunteers?

http://youtu.be/4a3cDPa_FGc

The conditions for tomorrow are looking perfect. Wind 15 NW, Temp 30.

Geoff Evans and I (Terry Foster) are going to be running around Excelsior and or mail laike on Minnetonka tomorrow afternoon.

TIm Carlson said it's Ok to setup at Shorewood Yacht Club.

I won't be able to make it in to work tomorrow. I've got an Ice Boating cough!!!

Who can come out and play?

DaBear

We had a great weekend on Riley Lake despite cold conditions. Three Nites, Three DN's and an Iceflyer enjoyed very high winds Saturday, with Ex Riley sailor Don Sitter driving down from Duluth on Sunday to more moderate but still enjoyable sailing and scrub racing. 5 hours on the ice in 10°F was enough!

The ice remains good despite the best effort of the fishermen.