Houghton Lake, Jan 5-6, 2013

[DN5358]

Wondering who all is planning on going to Houghton Lake this weekend for scrub racing?

[RANDY ROGOSKI]

Ten members of the West Michigan Ice Yacht Club sailed Houghton Lake Wednesday and Thursday. Many found the conditions so enticing they stayed the night to sail Friday. Sailors from Ohio arriived late Thursday afternoon.

The best ice report there is: "We had so much fun we left our boats, we called our friends, we're going back to sail!"

There's huge interest to sail Houghton Lake, Michigan's largest at almost 30 square miles. Plenty of launching at the west end on Old 27 at the DNR launch and the road end at the Comfort Suites.

I personally sailed this ice Dec. 29, 30 & 31. It was the best ice I've sailed since Lake Superior's Thunder Bay in March 2010.

Randy Rogoski
US 4192

[RANDY ROGOSKI]

Houghton Lake is the largest inland lake in Michigan at 19,646 acres, about 31 square miles.  It is eight miles wide and five miles across.  It has a modified oval shape, which tends to diminish the formation of pressure ridges, and at over 1200 feet above sea level, it is higher that the peaks of the ski resorts near Traverse City and Petoskey.  There is usually wind too because of the elevation and the long fetch across the wetland plains to the west, the origination direction of the prevailing wind.  Since it is no more than 21 feet deep and averages around 12, it froze mid-December.  It piles on the ice over night; the Lower Peninsula’s overnight low temperature is often recorded there. Located in a summer resort community, ice sailors will find that minutes from the launch there are plenty of lake front accommodations, restaurants, and other amenities.  It is a “Total Package” ice-yacht-regatta and ice-cruising venue. The only thing Houghton Lake needs but lacks is a local ice yacht club.

[RANDY ROGOSKI]

This Web site draws its data from airport weather instruments. It is the most reliable wind Web site I have found to date.

http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?Submit=Go&sta=KHTL&state=MI


George Reis and myself, appearing in the photograph at right, were racing the huge course on Houghton Lake in the 2007 Central Lakes Championship. 

Randy Rogoski
DN US 4192

[Rolley]

Great weather site.  Thanks for the posting.  Ice in SE Iowa continues to be good, but can't seem to get the wind out of the teens.
Rolley

[rpotcova]

Help Requested

I left a black coat with a hat and mittens in the pockets at the Central Regional Regatta in Houghton last week. 

I left it in the restaurant/bar during awards and fortunately it is waiting for pick up in their lost and found box at the front desk.  Comfort Inn Suites I think?

Anyway, if anyone is driving by could you be so kind to pick it up?  A cold beverage reward is waiting...

Thanks,
Richard Potcova
(734) 497-9047