Elk Lake, Michigan Iceboat Events and News
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December 25th 2009 Newest ice report from Rich (J14 #6)
We just returned from doing a drive by survey of the 3 plates nearest us. As of 3pm the rain had wetted out 75% of the snow on Bass, 90% on Birch and 50% on Skegemog and it is still raining fairly hard. We didn't bother checking ice thickness in the rain, we'll wait for everything to refreeze before doing that. There were significant areas of standing water that could make for very good surface conditions once it sets up. Also Elk Lake is wide open. The ice is gone in Kewadin Bay due to the rain received.
Will update when conditions improve which should be very soon, Happy Holidays.
December 24th 2009 Thanks to Walt, Gordon and the group up north people were aware of the sailable conditions on Walloon Lake. There is currently sailing going on the snow covered ice. Thanks for the reporting guys! We are expecting rain and warm temps in the area so the lakes that were snow covered may improve. Just be careful since they did not build ice as quickly as they would have if they did not have snow cover for the last week.
December 21st 2009 Rich (J14#6) sent us an ice report for the Elk Rapids area..THANKS RICH! See below:
Bass had 4"-6" of good hard snow ice with some black ice patches and about 2" of light snow on top. It snowed all day so it probably has a bit more now. There was no wind all day otherwise I would have set up. Birch had 2-1/2" of hard clear ice with 2" of light snow on top but I didn't venture more than 100' out from shore. The launches were good at both with a bit more snow in the pit area on Bass. Kewadin bay was locked up almost to the point. Skegemog is frozen all the way to the narrows with a few shanties on it. All we need is some wind, it was dead calm all day. And hopefully it stops snowing soon. One way or another I believe we may be sailing sometime later this week. As always, don't take my or anyone else's word for it - conditions can change quickly so always check for yourself before you venture out.
December 19th 2009 While there is no shortage if ice and sailing in Michigan and Wisconsin there are also several J14's getting ready for the ice this season. For the latest update on Mike's First in Glass, nida-core based J14x click the photo below
December 18th 2009 Normally I would post the early lake that is getting sailed, but there is so much sailing going on south of us that I doubt that anyone is here to read it. You are all out sailing. Reports are there is sailing in southeast Michigan in several places, but most prominently Oakland County. There is also sailing along the coast of the west side of Michigan in many places between the OH/MI border, north to just south of us. They are also sailing in Wisconsin and small ponds on the east coast. HAVE FUN!
December 15th 2009 Snow all you want NOW before Elk Lake freezes.
All of the early long range discussions said we would have an unusually snowy December, they were right. They also said we would have a dry and really cold January and February. Let's hope they are just as accurate with that.
December 13th 2009 This weekend we had a glue party to get Walt's iceboat all epoxied together. Here is the video and then click the link to see MANY photos from this great weekend! http://elklakeiceboating.com/walt.html
They are sailing in Wisconsin already, check it out.
Photo credit Robert Cummins
December 11th 2009 Short update video from yesterday in the Jacobs' Iceboat Shop
Elk Lake cooling is causing alot of steam. Click the photo below from today to check the cam.
December 10th 2009 NEW Live Dedicated Elk Lake Webcam...
The new cam will be up 24/7 and you can control it!
Internet Explorer users can even zoom in.
The link will always be on the left side of this page with the other links.
Click here to check it out http://elklakeiceboating.com/cam.html
December 8th 2009..update Dec 10th..Bass Lake broke up and is water again Well, we have gorgeous, smooth, clear ice on Bass Lake. It has been there since the night before last. We will have to wait and see what this storm we are getting over the next two days does to it. Meanwhile work continues on building J14's and other iceboats across the country. Check out our message board for updates on boats from Michigan, New York, Ohio and Minnesota.
You can also view Mike's page, Walt's page and Ed's blog for building updates.
December 5th 2009 Skim ice is starting to form near the shore on several smaller lakes.
It's Starting! We will check out a few tomorrow and take the camera.
Below is a photo of part of Pontiac Lake in Oakland County skimmed over already.
December 4th 2009
The DEEP FREEZE is on it's way...click the photo for the forecast
Lake Christina in Minnesota has frozen..http://iceboating.net/
December 3rd 2009 Jacobs' Iceboat Workshop updates...
With visits from Walt, Rick, Dick, Rob, Bob and Henry in the last week there has been alot of progress in the shop. Walt's boat is taking shape (and a very cool shape I must say) and we also set up Black Ice with the new mast and it's new storm sail to make sure it all fit well. Click the photo of Black Ice to go to the Jacobs' Iceboat shop page or click Walt's boat to go to Walt's page.
November 30th 2009 It's starting!!
Check out some of the Minnesota webcams. You can see the ice starting.
Click here for Minnesota Live cams
Watch the Minnesota forum for info about the Great Western Challenge and when it is scheduled.
November 29th 2009 East Coast iceboater Mike Acebo tried out this cool tiny new cam http://www.goprocamera.com/
He says "This camera is very cool and tiny. I can't believe what it can do. Fully waterproof, and it even supplies heat to the battery for longer battery life (HD model)." Click to watch the video below as Mike cruises around Long Island. The quality is amazing. He said the sound would have been better if he had not had the waterproof cover on.
GoPro Camera Test from Mike Acebo on Vimeo.
November 28th 2009 Don't forget to check out the Elk Lake surface temperature page.
I updated it today and was pleasantly surprised that it is 42 degrees.
November 27th 2009
Upcoming Events...
The DN Western Challenge is traditionally sometime in the beginning of
December on the best ice in Minnesota.
Watch the Minnesota Iceboating webpage
for info and updates.
The New England Iceyacht Assoc. Indoor Tune Up Clinic is scheduled
for December 5th at Lamb Co.'s shop at 85 Jackson St., Canton, MA. 02021.
This event is open to anyone that is interested in iceboating,you do not
need to be an NEIYA member to attend.
See the East Coast area's Yahoo message board
Via Mike Acebo:
Lake Ronkonkoma Ice and Yacht Club Swap and Buy Meet next Saturday at Weeks Yacht Yard, Patchogue, Long Island. Hopefully Steve From NORTHWIND ICEBOATS will show up and have all the parts anyone needs, he sharpens runners also. Let him know if he needs to bring something specific for you. That way we know he will show up! New member sign up and meet the Long Island Icboaters.
November 23rd 2009LIVE Iceboat Chat Room every Tuesday night at 8pm...
Come join in and chat with people around the country about iceboating. This is a trial to see how it goes. As long as there is interest and it remains friendly we will continue it every Tuesday night at 8pm eastern standard time. http://elklakeiceboating.com/chat.html
Just put in a user name and click connect. Then click "enter without password"
November 12th 2009Building J14 #247 begins.. Walt started on his JX today, you can follow along by clicking the link below or the photo. I also added a link to the left side of this page under "Personal Pages"
Walt's J14x Build
Also remember to check out Mike's First in Glass J14 build, Ed's new J14 building blog and follow the J14 message board for Phil Jim, Jeff and Taras' J14's currently being built
November 10th 2009Report from the Gull Lake Iceyacht Club Swap Meet...via Pete Sarelis...
We had another successful meet with great "parking lot weather" (upper 60's). Great turnout from all. Doug Schoener from Sarns and George Seigel were there too printing hull numbers as you waited. Ron Sherry gave a highly motivating lunch presentation of getting everybody to the ice this year and the "how-to's" to sharpening runners. See the photos Pete provided below
November 4th 2009Today we set up the electric J14x in the driveway. It has been in storage for approx 12 yrs. Walt, Ed and Dick were here to help. Lots of photos can be seen by clicking http://s696.photobucket.com/albums/vv326/iceboatphotos/ also here is a video of the setup
November 2nd 2009
Swap Meet reminders... The Gull Lake Iceyacht Swap meet is coming up.
November 7th 2009
Gull Lake Iceyacht Club annual swap meet...
Check out GLIYC's new website for info.
Location: Grand Rapids Yacht Club on Reeds Lake.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Lunch: 1 p.m. Raffle: 2 p.m. Directions to the Grand Rapids Yacht Club: From Interstate 96, exit at the East Beltline (M-37) and head south. At Lake Ave, turn right, heading west to the traffic light at Lakeside Blvd. Turn right at the light, you can see Reeds Lake and the football field. The GRYC is down a steep driveway past the Dept of Public Works building. GRYC address: 740 Lakeside Dr. SE, Grand Rapids MI 49506 Telephone: (616) 949-0221. Also the Skeeter Ice Boat Club (SIBC) annual swap meet
November 8th 2009
Sailing Specialists, Inc.
210 N. Walworth Ave., Williams Bay
See iceboat.org for more details
October 25th 2009Getting in the mood....
If these videos don't get you in the mood for iceboating, nothing will
October 19th 2009
NEW PAGE ADDED! I have added a new page to our ever expanding website :)
It is a page I will use to track past and present Elk Lake surface temperatures so we can compare year to year. The question marks (?) are just place holders. The page is a work in progress as I have to dig up the previous years temperatures from several different computers I have it stored on. I will slowly fill in the temps to replace the question marks. This new page also tracks the # of days sailed each year, set up dates and tear down dates.
Check out the new Elk Lake Surface Temperature Page.
I will also add a permanant link to the left side of this page.
October 17th 2009These are AWESOME! I need a pair! (Thanks for emailing the link Rob)
Sunglasses with a built in video camera!
October 11th 2009Ed from Traverse City is starting to build his J14/JX iceboat. We have added a blog page to this Elk Lake Iceboating website so you can follow along with his build. You can post comments, ask questions etc.. Since it is set up as a blog Ed can update it at will. Check it out and follow along.
Ed's JX Iceboat building blog
September 25th 2009Up and Running... The Gull Lake Iceyacht Club website!
The GLIYC has a great new website. It is the oldest and most historic iceyacht club in Michigan. Be sure to check out their history, their "meet the skipper" feature, videos, photos and more. Right now you can also keep tabs on their upcoming swap meet. It is a very cool website. I will be adding a link to the left of our homepage here so you can always view the GLIYC site. We will also be adding a link to the Michigan Iceboating forum's link page.
September 16th 2009Ron sent me some awesome videos to add to his media page, you have to check them out.
An hour of talking DN iceboating with Ron Sherry, Videos of the Detroit Ice Yacht club racing with some very cool footage, three generations of Sherrys on the news and many more. Here is a sneak peek
Now go to Composite Concepts webpage to view them all
Click on the link on the left side of the page that says "Photo and Video Page" Below are a couple of the many stories done on Jack and Elk Lake Iceboating within the last year or so. I will try to dig out some of the older ones. I have about a dozen or more magazine ones to scan and a half dozen or so more TV interviews including one for ESPN about 15-20 yrs ago MyNorth.com/Traverse Magazine does a video interview with Jack.
Click the iceboat below to watch it If you have trouble viewing this award winning video go directly to it: Jack on the news Also here is the Lakeland Boating Article for those who haven't seen itClick here to see the large version
Jack's Award being presented
Photo of the award that was presented to Jack is below: 
Jack sailing his twin masted iceboat on Lake St Clair in southeast Michigan
You can also view the patent Jack holds for this boat just for fun.
Black Ice doing some amazing hiking on Bass Lake in Elk Rapids, Michigan with 5" of snow. Make sure to watch it all. The hikes get bigger as the video goes on.
Jack, Al, Larry, Rich, Mike, Ed and others enjoying one of the most fun sailing days of the year.
Map of recent visitors from around the world
Art by Harry Whitehorse is a must see
Harry's sculptures and paintings are some of the most beautiful and creative I have seen.
Harry painted "Wildest Renegade Race Ever"
More contributors Elk Rapids Sweet Shop (Incredible doughnuts, pastries, cookies and eclairs)
108 River St, Elk Rapids
Downtown Elk Rapids
(231) 264-9732
Sweet Peas
145 River St
Elk Rapids, MI
231-264-8031
Looking for some great Pizza in the Elk Lake area.
Be sure to try these fantastic places:
The Moose
127 River Street, Elk Rapids MI 231-264-9266
Chef Charles Pizza
Located at 147 River Street, Downtown Elk Rapids
To place an order call: 231-264-8901
Poma's Pizza
11621 Se Torch Lake Dr., Alden
(231) 331-6262
Looking for a comfortable place to hang out, great food and drinks? Stop by these sponsors:
The Town Club
(the place to be after sailing)
133 River St, Elk Rapids
(231) 264-9914
Java Jones
131 River Street Downtown Elk Rapids
Art Galleries:Beautiful blown glass and artwork can be found at Mullaly's 128
Click their banner below
Restaurants: Pearl's New Orlean's Kitchen
Elk Rapids, 1/2 mile east of the light 231-264-0530
Chang Express, the best Chinese food in Northern Michigan!!
Crab Ragoon (my Fav!)
Chang Express
114 River St, Elk Rapids
(231)264-9140
Iceboat Elk Lake right out your front door !!
Owned and operated by long time iceboater Rick Conrad
Torch River Resort near the Torch River, close to Elk and Torch Lakes
You are Iceboater number to visit Elk Lake Iceboating
