Have you ever been on an iceboat? Have you even seen one? They are amazing vehicles and lots of fun - and this weekend is your opportunity to learn all about them.
The Toledo Ice Yacht Club is hosting their annual Winterfest and Iceboat Regatta at Ottawa River Yacht Club and the event is open to the public.
Saturday, there will be iceboats set up for viewing, so you'll be able to see the various kinds and learn about how they're made - and almost all of them are hand-made. There will also be some sailors who can take participants for a ride - if there's enough wind.
Ottawa River Yacht Club is in Point Place at the corner of Edgewater and 140th Street.
Wind and other conditions permitting, you can view the other boats sailing and racing on Maumee Bay. The best location for viewing and safe access to the ice is at the end of 125th Street.
So bundle up, bring the kids and enjoy some winter sports here in Point Place!
Showing posts with label ice boating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ice boating. Show all posts
Friday, January 28, 2011
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Ice boating videos
We spent the day ice boating and I wanted to share some video that we took. This first one is Sam on the runner plank with our friend Josh Kerst sailing Ragtime, the Renegade that my father built. It should be noted that riding on the plank is not really the best way to ice boat, but Sam wanted to be able to show people what it's like and that is pretty hard to do when you're actually sailing and working on that whole 'safety first' aspect.
This second video was taken by our friend Scott Decker. He's sailing Ragtime now and his son, Matthew, is in our DN for his second solo ride.
I think they give you a good idea of what it's like to sail across hard water. Sam's pretty sure they hit 50 mph - and it would have been more if he hadn't been on the plank. You'll also note after watching both of them how much less 'bouncy' the ride is when you're in the seat of the Renegade like Scott, than when you're on the plank like Sam was.
This is how I spent my winters growing up and it's nice to see our nieces and nephews and our friends' children learning and enjoying as well.
This second video was taken by our friend Scott Decker. He's sailing Ragtime now and his son, Matthew, is in our DN for his second solo ride.
I think they give you a good idea of what it's like to sail across hard water. Sam's pretty sure they hit 50 mph - and it would have been more if he hadn't been on the plank. You'll also note after watching both of them how much less 'bouncy' the ride is when you're in the seat of the Renegade like Scott, than when you're on the plank like Sam was.
This is how I spent my winters growing up and it's nice to see our nieces and nephews and our friends' children learning and enjoying as well.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
ICE BOATING!!!!
The starting line:
If you've never seen or been for a ride on an ice boat - today's the day! Starting around 11 a.m. there will be races of the DN class on Maumee Bay. The races are viewable from any street that deadends into the bay in Point Place. Once they get the race course set up, I will post specific streets that will have the best views.
best viewing point: The starting mark is in the middle of the bay at the end of 116th Street. There's also a rounded parking area the end of this street. 117th will also be good. 125th St. is where most of the boats put on the ice so it's a good point to watch from, but parking may be an issue. However, there is Friendship Park just up the street. 125th is accessible via 124th off Summit and then around Friendship Park...I know, it doesn't make sense, but this is the Point.
After the DNs race the Greiner Open, many of the ice boats will race from Maumee Bay, around the end of the Point and down the Ottawa River to end up at Ottawa River Yacht Club for the rest of the Toledo Ice Yacht Club/ORYC Winterfest Regatta.
Beginning around 1-ish and after the 'race around the horn,' the sailors will offer rides to any interested. Many of the boats seat multiple people. The winds today aren't going to be too strong so this is a perfect time to bring your kids (even the ones who are just kids at heart) and go for a ride.
I shouldn't have to tell you to dress warmly, but a ski-mask type of face covering would be very wise to bring...
Tonight there is a band and, I believe, the Captain Morgan Morganettes (because, as I was informed last night, 'wenches' is not a p.c. term)...
For more information, including a map of the sailing area, visit the TIYC website.
Riding in an iceboat is really a lot of fun...most of the smaller ones will go around 20-30 mph with good air...the larger ones can reach speeds of up to 70 mph.
If you're looking for something to do on a cold Saturday, this is it!
p.s. On the TIYC facebook page is a short video of ride over the ice, in case you're interested in a aerial view.
If you've never seen or been for a ride on an ice boat - today's the day! Starting around 11 a.m. there will be races of the DN class on Maumee Bay. The races are viewable from any street that deadends into the bay in Point Place. Once they get the race course set up, I will post specific streets that will have the best views.
best viewing point: The starting mark is in the middle of the bay at the end of 116th Street. There's also a rounded parking area the end of this street. 117th will also be good. 125th St. is where most of the boats put on the ice so it's a good point to watch from, but parking may be an issue. However, there is Friendship Park just up the street. 125th is accessible via 124th off Summit and then around Friendship Park...I know, it doesn't make sense, but this is the Point.
After the DNs race the Greiner Open, many of the ice boats will race from Maumee Bay, around the end of the Point and down the Ottawa River to end up at Ottawa River Yacht Club for the rest of the Toledo Ice Yacht Club/ORYC Winterfest Regatta.
Beginning around 1-ish and after the 'race around the horn,' the sailors will offer rides to any interested. Many of the boats seat multiple people. The winds today aren't going to be too strong so this is a perfect time to bring your kids (even the ones who are just kids at heart) and go for a ride.
I shouldn't have to tell you to dress warmly, but a ski-mask type of face covering would be very wise to bring...
Tonight there is a band and, I believe, the Captain Morgan Morganettes (because, as I was informed last night, 'wenches' is not a p.c. term)...
For more information, including a map of the sailing area, visit the TIYC website.
Riding in an iceboat is really a lot of fun...most of the smaller ones will go around 20-30 mph with good air...the larger ones can reach speeds of up to 70 mph.
If you're looking for something to do on a cold Saturday, this is it!
p.s. On the TIYC facebook page is a short video of ride over the ice, in case you're interested in a aerial view.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Happy Winter!
Today is the first day of Winter.
(Aren't you glad you know that???)
This day has both good and bad about it. I like it because it's the shortest daylight of the year, which means that, from now on, the sun will rise earlier and set later, giving us more daylight every day. That's a really good thing.
However, it is the first day of Winter, which means we've got roughly 90 days of snowy, cold, icy, icky weather to go. That's a bad thing.
Winter does have some advantages, like ice boating (check out videos on YouTube if you've never seen this) and ice skating, but while they help distract us from the weather, winter just seems too long to me and I'm ready for it to be over by about mid-February.
So whether you love it, hate it, or think it just a necessary part of the seasons, Happy First Day of Winter!
(Aren't you glad you know that???)
This day has both good and bad about it. I like it because it's the shortest daylight of the year, which means that, from now on, the sun will rise earlier and set later, giving us more daylight every day. That's a really good thing.
However, it is the first day of Winter, which means we've got roughly 90 days of snowy, cold, icy, icky weather to go. That's a bad thing.
Winter does have some advantages, like ice boating (check out videos on YouTube if you've never seen this) and ice skating, but while they help distract us from the weather, winter just seems too long to me and I'm ready for it to be over by about mid-February.
So whether you love it, hate it, or think it just a necessary part of the seasons, Happy First Day of Winter!
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Ice boating update
Well, it looks like there's too much wind for sailing today...
Yes, you can have too much wind - even for an ice boat...
However, we sat out on the deck in the sun but out of the wind. I had to come inside because I was sure I was getting sunburned...in Toledo...in February!
So since we're not ice boating - yet - I will console myself by watching salt water fishing shows in HD...
Yes, you can have too much wind - even for an ice boat...
However, we sat out on the deck in the sun but out of the wind. I had to come inside because I was sure I was getting sunburned...in Toledo...in February!
So since we're not ice boating - yet - I will console myself by watching salt water fishing shows in HD...
Ice boating!
Yes, it appears from the Toledo Ice Yacht Club's ice report that there will be ice boating on Maumee Bay today and tomorrow.
We're going to check things out and then, if conditions are right, set up the iceboats and go sailing!
It is said that ice boating is mainly 75% building them, 10% talking about them, 10% waiting around on the ice for the right conditions, and 5% actual sailing time ... but when you get that 5% of actual sailing, it's a trip!
Yippee!!!! Woo Hoo!!!! and all that happy stuff.
Obviously, I won't be posting, but might find some time to take some pictures and share them with you. And if you'd like to know more about ice boats, the classes and the speed, check out this website.
Enjoy your weekend!
We're going to check things out and then, if conditions are right, set up the iceboats and go sailing!
It is said that ice boating is mainly 75% building them, 10% talking about them, 10% waiting around on the ice for the right conditions, and 5% actual sailing time ... but when you get that 5% of actual sailing, it's a trip!
Yippee!!!! Woo Hoo!!!! and all that happy stuff.
Obviously, I won't be posting, but might find some time to take some pictures and share them with you. And if you'd like to know more about ice boats, the classes and the speed, check out this website.
Enjoy your weekend!
Sunday, January 27, 2008
More on ice boating
My friend Carol was out taking pictures of the ice boats yesterday and posted them, and ther thoughts, on a real estate blog, viewable here.
The pictures are good, but even better is her characterization of this winter sport and the opportunity it presents to local residents.
Enjoy!
The pictures are good, but even better is her characterization of this winter sport and the opportunity it presents to local residents.
Enjoy!
Friday, January 25, 2008
It's ice boating time!!!!
Woo Hoo!!! Yippee!!! Hurray!!!! Doing the 'happy dance'!!!
Yep - that's what so many of us feel like when you have the combination of good ice, decent weather and sufficient wind - which is what we have today and scheduled for the weekend.
Saturday, the Toledo Ice Yacht Club will host the Greiner Open. Skippers Meeting is at 9:30 a.m. Saturday morning. Grab your boats and head on over!
If you're not sure where to go, here is a map with directions to the 125th Street public access with ramp.
I've never met an unfriendly ice boater, so if you're not sure about what's going on, don't be afraid to ask them questions - most will be happy to explain things. However, as they do plan to race Saturday, best to stay away from the race course area after the starts.
If you've never seen ice boating, now is your chance. If you've got kids (in age or in heart) who love to ice skate, the light dusting of snow will not be a hindrance.
Bundle up good, bring the kids, come on out to Point Place and enjoy!
p.s. The photos are from last February. Above and below is a a blue Renegade named "Ragtime" that my father built and my husband, Sam, now sails. The wooden boat is the special two-seater Sam built so we could take all the kids out for a ride. The other boat you're likely to see is a DN, which is the last photo.
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