My First Iceboat

by | Nov 22, 2020 | 2020-2021, Home Page

Paul McMillan and ? enjoy a day on his first iceboat, a diminutive stern-steerer on Lake Mendota in Madison, WI c.1960.

4LIYC member Paul McMillan suggested a new series for this website called “My First Iceboat.” What was your first iceboat? Send us a photo and short explanation debwhitehorse@iceboat.org.

This was my first boat from sometime around 1960. I got it from the third generation of Trachte Brothers of the famous metal buildings. My dad made new sails by hand sewing. Note the low boom, similar to modern boats. It was a blast at the time.
Paul McMillan

Jack Ripp’s first iceboat, MUSTANG.

 

FIRST!

by | Oct 31, 2020 | 2020-2021, Home Page

The 2020-2021 ice sailing season has officially begun. Lowell Ross up in Alberta, Canada posted this video on his Facebook page today.

Well, up here in Northern Alberta we really have an early start to the season after a long drought of years of bad ice or heavy snows. Feels great to see that shoreline come up in 3 minutes that normally takes 30 minutes to reach. Ice sailors are awesome–we even walk on water

Montana FIRST!

by | Nov 2, 2019 | 2019-2020, Home Page

Via John Cassidy and the Montana Icebuds Facebook page, looks like we have first runners on the ice in North America and quite possibly the world.  This DN sailed on Ray Creek on Friday, November 1, 2019. Ray Creek is part of the famous Canyon Ferry watershed. 

 

Silver Potato

by | Nov 19, 2018 | 2018-2019, DN, Home Page

Icesailing Minnesota
Silver
Icesailing Menekaunee
Potato

The ice line is creeping south. The Minnesota sailors opened their season over the weekend on Silver Lake, 20 miles west of ‘Tonka. Mike Bloom reported, “4 inches of ice with 1/4 inch dusting of snow. Short course racing. Multiple races. 7 boats.Great day.”  The Menekaunee sailors also opened their season on White Potato Lake, 30 miles west of Menominee/Marinette in Wisconsin. It won’t be long before the runners hit the ice here at Four Lakes!

First, Eh!

by | Nov 12, 2018 | 2018-2019, DN, Home Page


Thunder Bay, Ontario DN sailor, Mike Madge is once again the first to ice sail in North America (as far as we know). Last year, he was sailing on November 9. Another box ticked!

Just back from Whitefish Lake
4″ of Black ice with maybe 1/4″ covering of Snow.Wind 15 gusting to 20 made for a fast ride

Meanwhile in Minnesota, lakes are coming online in the usual places near Alexandria and with tonight’s low at 10F, it will only get better! Stay tuned to the Minnesota ice boating website for the latest.