Tag Archives: BSA Greater Cleveland Council

Bay Sea Scouts See Signs of Spring.

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Spring officially started a couple of days ago but in Bay Village we know it is on the way because; the turkey vultures have arrived. A whole “kettle” of them fly up and down the shoreline searching for carrion.

First buzzards of the year scouring the ice on Lake Erie for dead fish.

First buzzards of the year scouring the ice on Lake Erie for dead fish.

The first ore boat of the 2014 shipping season has been sited off the shores of Bay Village. With the Lake Erie over 95% covered in ice it has been a difficult season for the shipping industry. A busy one for the USCG ice breakers.

First ore boat of 2014

Sea Scout Iceboating Plans are a Real Learning Experience.

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The one thing we have leaned this winter is that to go iceboating conditions have to be just right.  The ice is the number governing factor, it cannot be too rough.

Rough Ice not for sailing or skating on.

Rough Ice not for sailing or skating on.

A nice smooth clear ice that is 8 inches thick is ideal for an iceboat and to reach speeds of 50-60 MPH you need a good breeze of 10+ MPH.

Snow covered ice really slows or prevents iceboats from getting up to speed.

Snow covered ice really slows or prevents iceboats from getting up to speed.

You may have good ice and a nice breeze but then you need the space too. Is does not take long to travel a good distance at 40-50 MPH.

Your average skating pond while it may have good ice is hardly large enough.

Your average skating pond while it may have good ice is hardly large enough.

So this year while it has been bitterly cold we have learned that iceboating takes the right conditions and a lot of patience.