Big Sky Journal: Montana Ice Sailing

by | Nov 26, 2022 | 2022-2023, Home Page

The winter tradition of sail-powered ice boating finds the right combination of ice, wind, and speed-seeking participants in Montana

BIG SKY JOURNAL
in Winter 2022 | Feature Stories | Written by Andrew McKean | Photography by Sean R. Heavey
Just as surfers will spend the balance of their year waiting for just the right wave, and skiers will rearrange their lives in pursuit of fluffy mountain powder, so do ice boaters watch for fresh ice and stiff winds. They’re monitoring long- and short-term weather forecasts for their version of powder days, says Flathead Lake ice-boat builder John Eisenlohr, one of the dozens of Montana winter sailors who travel the West in search of perfect ice. “For us, that’s the first black ice thick enough to play on, plus a certain amount of wind,” Eisenlohr says. “Not too much wind, and no packed snow on the ice. And, if I’m really lucky, the ice will have just a little stippling on it to hold the runners.” Continue reading.

4LIYC Meeting Reminder for November 23, 2022 – ZOOM ONLY

by | Nov 23, 2022 | 2022-2023, Home Page

Thankful for Ice Sailing

Thanksgiving Edition ZOOM ONLY Meeting.
Join us from the comfort of your own home while you make pumpkin pies for your Thanksgiving feast. Deb has sent the email with log on information. Please contact her if you haven’t received it.

WHAT TO KNOW:
Date: Wednesday, November 23, 2022
Time: 6:30 PM CT

ZOOM MEETING
Didn’t get an email with the Zoom link? Contact Deb debwhitehorse@iceboat.org

DUES
If you haven’t already done so, please pay your dues, only $20! Information here.

Chasing Perfection with Composites

by | Nov 20, 2022 | 2022-2023, Home Page

Shop time with friends is a big part of iceboating and a long tradition with the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club. Last weekend, a group of friends invaded Daniel Hearn’s shop and laid up a composite C Skeeter iceboat mast under the direction of C Skeeter maestro Pat Heppert. Want to build a C Skeeter? Plans here.

Drone Video courtesy of Sean R Heavy
YouTube handle: @SeanRHeavy