The 2004-2005 Season Ice Report
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Glen Reports that there is one inch of snow on sailable ice at Sand Lake. They sailed it Wednesday and he says it is melting down daily. Kings Challenge is Scheduled to take place on Saturday. Keep checking back for more reports...
Meanwhile Corey Hughes at GTIYC reports the snow is extremely sticky up there and is postponing the fun regatta for yet another week. March 26-27 is the next tentative date.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Race commitee Chairman Rand Baumker has called for the club championship to be held on Sand Lake. Skippers Meeting at 9:30 racing at 10:00. There will be a minimum of 3 races max of 5.
There will be chili and hot dogs at lunch time.
Races will hopefully be done early to allow plenty of time to put things away and get home to go to the Fiesta Party.
There will be chili and hot dogs at lunch time.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Today at least three of us are going to Sand Lake to Join Glenn and The Irish-Hills area sailors. We plan on being back with a full report on ice conditions to give an update at the meeting.
As of this morning Glen Reports 1” of powder snow and a forecast of a good NW wind. There could be more snow today, but chance of snow it downgraded to 10% for tomorrow and very little on Sunday. So it looks like whatever we have tonight is what we will get for the weekend. Cloudy conditions should help keep the ice hard and dry and keep us supplied with wind.
Glen has asked that all Renegade Sailors who want to get a race in for the season please come! You can keep your boat at his house for the weekend. For that matter, and of the bigger boat owners come on up! 10 meter, Arrow, Sweet 16, 15 meter, A-frame… This could be it for the season!
Tuesday, March 8, 2005
Sand Lake- Glenn Emailed in this: Just got off the lake, it's good ! Ruts around the edge and at the DNR ramp but out in the lake its ok. I'd rate the lake at 7.5 Lots of ice, about 8"
ALL RENEGADES, 15 Meters, 10 Meters, Arrows, etc... There will be a safe haven for you to leave your boats overnight if you come up this weekend. Get some racing in!!!
Sunday, March 6, 2005
North Maumee Bay - Many showed up at the North Bay Site and enjoyed hot dogs and refreshments. About 5 DN's and 1 arrow were set up. Wind was light and the ice was pretty soft. Occasionally we had enough wind in the afternoon for some of the DN's to get some rides in. The Arrow was never quite able to get going.
The North Bay access is off of East Sterns Road, (East of Summit Street just before the I-75 on ramp) cars and trailers cannot drive on the ice from there, but it is a short distance from the roadside to the shore.
Saturday, February 12, 2005
Maumee Bay - We had 4-6 boats racing the Meilink Trophy race this morning. Wind was light and the snow was getting slushy as the day went on. Ryan Lashaway combined his Skills and Lightweight to pull off 3 bullets out of 3 races, the last race he was going so well he lapped the rest of the fleet. Quite a number of DN's, an a frame and an Isabella-type iceboat were all seen on the bay often hooking up some good rides. Forecast is hopeful for Sunday with winds at 10-15 MPH and highs in the mid-50's. Best conditions will be in the morning when the ice is hardest. So rig early and enjoy! We hope to get at least 3 more races off in the morning.
Friday, February 11, 2005
Maumee Bay - Lester put a boat on, and both he and Ryan sailed it. Ryan said it was surprisingly good ice! Will need substantial wind to make you go, but I think many will rig Saturday morning and wait all weekend if we have to for the right wind...
This weekend DN N.A.'s will be held at Elk Lake near Traverse City... Many of our members will be there racing and at least one will be there as race committee. More details can be seen here: http://cerebus.winsite.com/laser/DNboard/DNregat.html
Monday, February 7, 2005
Word in from Torch lake they did 12 races (6 per fleet) on Saturday and then called off Sunday as they were not too confident of the ice conditions after the warm weather.
In Toledo this morning we had rain following several days of warm weather -highs near 50 dropping to just below freezing each night. The snow on the Bay is melting down. There are some new cracks, and of course we will have to look for drain holes, but just maybe it will freeze nice enough for some sailing this weekend...
We anticipate Sand Lake might look real good by then too.
Thursday, February 3, 2005
Torch Lake Report in from Dave Zoll:
I just spoke to Dick Wollam and Glenn Betzoldt from the ice. There have been 4-8 DN's and a Nite sailng Torch lake all day today and yesterday. They tell me it is a 10 after sailing at the worlds. Elk lake is also being checked out as a back up locale. Also the extreme North end of torch is smoothing out and expected to lose its 1 1/2 inches of snow cover.
The north access has the most room for parking and has a restroom. You will have to sail through some snow covered ice about a mile to get to the racing area. Stay along the west shore and you will not have to worry about crossing a ridge that extends east to west. There are limited facilities at the torch lake village access. Go to the GTIYC web site for an excellent map. Registration will be at GTIYC Friday night. Call me on cell if you will be registering on the ice so we can do the fleet split and starting line draw.
Tuesday, February 1, 2005
Sand Lake and Maumee Bay are probably not going to be good ice. Lots of snow last week, probably sticky mush now. We are looking at possible ice at Alum Creek (North of Columbus), and Findlay Reservoir. The Central Regionals are to be held on Torch Lake up by Traverse City.
Monday, January 24, 2005
Maumee Bay: Same as before. Reports of at least 3 snowmobiles or 4 wheelers going through the ice in the Ottawa River over the weekend. Appears the snow cover may have rotted the ice quicker than we thought it would.
Sand Lake: Report came in from Glen on Sunday that there was about 12" of snow there.
At this point - we have to stop watching it . "A watched pot never boils" and it seems to be the same way with a watched body of water never freezes...(or melts?)
Remember there will be one sort of ice or another at this weekends regatta... Even if you cant sail on it.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Maumee Bay: First thing this morning snow coverage increased to about 50-60 percent. Soon afterward more snow and drifiting. As of 9:30 it looks like about 90%+ snow coverage and probable drifitng.
The RACE COMMITTEE has officially called off racing today due to snow. (Or is it the fact that the TIYC trailer is stuck behind a two foot drift?)
We would like to hear from SAND LAKE to see how they faired in this massive snow front. As of yesterday they had 3" drifts which made for a lot of pushing.
Friday, January 21, 2005
Maumee Bay: Walked on and checked out our ice. Green ice is beautiful and a minimum of 3-4 inches. We were able to step directly onto the ice from shore and that snow-ice was about 5-6 inches. There are some drifts - Styrofoam in texture and hardness. Snow Coverage is about 5-10 % and drifts are easy to navigate around. There are some cracks to avoid hitting at speed and look out for water outlets along shore. There is an open spot near Dynamite Dock.
At this point we can't call for racing on Maumee Bay, but it may well be fit for recreational sailing. There may be some holes or weak spots that need to be identified... rumor has it that someone went in a hole yesterday... we will try to validate or disclaim this rumor, and get a location of the alleged hole.
Monday, January 17, 2005
Sand Lake: The kids have the day off of school and some of them went back to Sand Lake for more sailing. Now has some powdery snow (less than an inch) but is still hard pebbly ice under the snow.
Maumee Bay: Due to the flood waters and warm weather, the bay has been resistant to freezing. Last night we finally got skim ice, but it is not thick enough to survive wind or waves.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Sand Lake: Had 5 more races and even more wind! There was a couple spinouts. A really nice day though. About 10 or so TIYC club boats were in attendance.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Sand Lake: There were about 10 DN's, An Arrow and Two Skimmers out. Good Breeze. Ice is hard snow ice with a pebbly texture. No snow on the surface.
The DN's got 5 races in. The results for today are: 1st place-Dave Zoll, 2nd-Richard Potcova, 3rd-Robbie Linden, 4th-Glen Betzoldt, 5th-Karl Bradley. Wind was shifty and puffy. Races generally went quick with plenty of wind except at the weather end of the course where at one point a few may have gotten out of their boats to push. For the most part the wind was pretty good making for some fun photo finishes and mark roundings. Karl Bradley has our first major breakdown of the year with his spar breaking in half on the last leg of the last race.
WE WILL SAIL SUNDAY! There may actually be a few more boats out there on Sunday too. Make sure you dont miss it.
Friday, January 14, 2005
From David Berry:
The ice on walled lake held through the last thaw, and the surface at this point is flat and appears to be solid. Frozen Slush surface. Still a large clear patch in the N.E. bay close to town adjacent to the park. I will stop over on the way home for a closer inspection. It looks very sailable, with light patches of fluffy snow from last night.
My pager is 313-796-4161, Cell 248-787-4781. Call
if your are looking for directions or information
Berryfam@peoplePC.com
Sunday, January 2, 2005
Between 9:30 and 11 AM this morning the ice moved out, pushed by a westerly breeze. Temperatures near 60 made for some spectacular fog. Hopefully this is for the best. Refreezing old ice with snow it can lead to dangerous ice. Forecasts are for continued warm weather for another week or so. Keep your fingers crossed. Meanwhile we are waiting for word from Sand Lake.
Thursday, December30, 2004
With New Years perhaps comes new ice?? In contrast to the last few weeks weather, we now have unseasonably warm weather and rain. Highs on Friday are expected to reach the mid-50's. Mostly above freezing temperatures for the next 5-6 days, and lots of rain (the rain might be a problem if it comes down too hard and forms drainholes). But all we need is a few days of 0 degree weather again and we might be in business for the regatta... I am not sure but I think someone went through the ice yesterday so hopefully the sleds will stay off and let it all flatten out. They definitely did some damage out there the last couple days.
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Happy Holidays to all!
Unfortunately there is little joy to spread for area iceboaters. The snow came in abundance and wiped out many a sheet of beautiful ice. We need to either fuel up our cars and travel, or wait for some major weather events to clean the slate for us.
I saw a man and two dogs walk at least halfway out to manmade today. Snowmobiles have been spotted on the river, but none on the bay so far, so there is not much confidence there.
NOTICE: Although a large area of ice was deemed safe Wednesday Evening on Maumee Bay, It is NOT necessarily safe now with the snow on it! (Yes, even with the sub-zero temperatures) Snow insulates the ice and allows it to melt from the bottom up. In addition, presence of swamp gas could allow for holes to easily form and hide under the snow - undetectable until too late. Be safe!
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Maumee Bay is currently snowed out. Waiting to see what the winds do later today.
Sand Lake took about 4" -Glen will get back to us as soon as they find it to be sailable.
Warm weather on Monday - so anything is possible.
Wednesday, December 22, 2004 6:00 PM
Two of us walked the ice of Maumee Bay. As usual there is a soft rim 6-10 feet off the rocks, but with a ramp we safely stepped on to 2.5 inches of green ice. As we walked out the thickness increased to about 2.75" Once we got within 80 feet of Grassy island the ice turned white but increased in depth to nearly 5 inches. So we safely stepped right onto the island. This is some of the best ice you can get on the bay. There is no snow at this time. We could not see any danger spots but only walked a straight line. Will rig skimmers and check out a larger area on Thursday.
Story From Sand Lake is they had great sailing all day. Will add more as I get reports from one of the sailors that were there but they say it is a mirror. Keep your fingers crossed that the front stays south of Irish Hills...
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Glenn Reports that boats are rigged and will be sailing Sand Lake starting at 8AM. They are quite worried about the snow that is headed our direction. Rumor has it Chris Teal is headed out there.
There is definitely a front coming through. We hope that if it does snow it is as cold and windy as possible. That would help keep the bay clean and smooth. Thursday breeze is projected for 27 MPH. We should not see any temperatures above 28 degrees until Monday.
Another hope is that if you look at the satellite images (above) you will see that the clouds are splitting as they near the Maumee River Valley possibly deflecting the snow to the north and to the south of the Maumee Bay. (this could also be a coincidence - I am not a weatherman). This could be good news here- bad for Sand Lake though. This valley effect happens more often than people realize, but it can't be relied upon when needed.
I will go out on the Maumee Bay while the ice is still clear today (once I find someone to go with me) and take several thickness measurements and try to find any holes or other dangers. Once it snows, it becomes very difficult to find these hazards other than the Ryan Lashaway method (not recommended).
-Kent
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Reports have come in that 3" of ice is present both at Sand Lake and Maumee Bay. No snow at this time. Last report from Sand Lake was that boats were being set up - but no word on if anyone has sailed yet.
Monday, December 20, 2004
Maumee Bay is now frozen over just about out to the shipping channel. No thickness to report yet - but it is thick enough to support the bald eagle that we spotted out there this morning feasting on some freshly frozen fish (shown in above pictures). Ice is not glass smooth, but is much better than what we started out with last year. Will give reports as conditions change.
Word in from Glen at Sand Lake is that it is frozen and he will check it Tuesday and Hopefully sail Wednesday.
We hope to have tune up races either at Sand Lake or on Maumee Bay this weekend.
Greiner Open is tentatively scheduled for January 1st, 2nd. Check the TIYC hotline (419-726-9811) as it will have the latest information.