Northern Wisconsin, Lake Superior, Town of LaPointe, The Town of LaPointe has recently completed Ice trials of two new windsleds: a "Windmark IV Ice Angel", built by Windmark, Inc. of Blaine, Minnesota and a "Husky" by Husky Airboats of Bolton, Ontario, Canada. The new windsled the "Mark IV Ice Angel", is a tri-hull design 26 feet long and 14 feet wide. It is constructed of welded formed aluminum sheathed in a high-densityplastic material to protect the hulls from ice abrasion. The three hulls with tunnels provide a sliding surface on ice and snow: Propulsion is achieved by twin 502 Chevrolet VS aft mounted engines with pusherprops. Vane/propellers are a c composite eight-blade design, that give maximum hrust. Rudders mounted behind the propellers allo w for steering. Forward of the engines is the enclosed passenger cabin and operators station. An enclosed weatherproof, heated passenger cabin gi v es protection for fifteen passengers. The seating is closed cell foam covered in vinyl upholstery. A unique hydraulically operated aft wheel system and attachable bow hitch aye used to transport the sled to and from the ice. Navigation equipment by Raytheon Marine includes an LCD Radar Global Positioning System and combination VHF radio/loudhailer. The compass is by Danforth. Lighting for night operations is High Intensity Discharge lighting by J. W. Speaker Corporation and a remotely operated search light by Perko. The "Husky" Js a smaller, six passenger, fast response vehicle that can be used to assist the larger sleds. The Husky Airboat has a single 350 Chevrolet VS aft-mounted engine turning a six blade composite propeller. Hull construction is of Kevlar, for strength and durability. Bonded to the bottom of the hull is ultra high molecular weight polyethylene or UHMW for ice abrasion resistance. The hull is designed to flex and absorb impact with ice and snow formations. Passengers are protected by a canvas covered heated passenger space. Navigation equipment Includes, night lighting, combination VHF radio/loud hailer and global positioning system. A windsled is a cross between a boat, plane, and sled. It is designed to operate and traverse multi-terrain cold weather environments including water; thin and solid ice, slush and snow. Ten months of the year, car ferries transport passengers and vehicles across the 2.5 mile channel between Bayfield, Wisconsin and the Town of LaPointe on Madeline Island, in Lake Superior. There are two critical transition periods at the end of ferry operations (freeze-up) usually in mid-January, and the resumption of ferry service (break-up) in late March or early April where the windsled is necessary for safe transportation. During a one to two week period as the ice forms in January, the windsled begins operations. At this time, ice conditions are too thick for ferry operations (usually between eight to ten inches) but not thick enough for safe vehicle transit via the ice road. The windsled bridges the gap between ferry operations and safe driving on the ice road. This "ice road" is a plowed road on the ice between Bayfield and the island maintained by the Town of LaPointe for an average of six to eight weeks. Windsleds provide an essential transportation link between Madeline Island and Bayfield in Northern Wisconsin. Madeline Island is the largest of the twenty-two Apostle Islands in Lake Superior and the only one with a year-round population. Approximately two hundred people live on the island during the winter months and the windsled is the only scheduled mode of transportation to and from the mainland during the transition period when the ferries stop running and the "ice road" is not yet open. In addition to island residents and workers traveling daily by windsled, sixteen school children, 6th through 12th grade, make the 2.2 mile crossing each weekday to attend classes at the Bayfield School. In July of 1998 The Town of LaPointe, Hayfield School District; Madeline Island Ferry Line and Windsleds, Inc. met with Ellen Fisher of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to discuss the future of winter transportation. A "Winter Transportation Needs Assessment" was conducted by Northwest Regional Planning Commission to determine present and long-term needs. After reviewing the study the consensus of the committee was that demands on the existing windsled operation were going to gro w and that the increasing capital costs were exceeding what could be expected of a private operator. There was a need to enhance the service and pro vide back up in case of mechanical problems with the existing sled. The need for financial assistance prompted the Town of LaPointe to apply for a $575,000 Federal Ferry Boat Discretionary Fund grant from the Federal Highway Administration. U. S. Congressman Dave Obey has had along-standing interest in Great Lakes maritime issues and was particularly concerned about Madeline Island's unique winter transportation challenges. The Federal funding portion was a result of Congressman Obey inserting directive language into the 2000 fiscal year, Transportation Appropriations bill. U. S. Senators, Russell Feingold and Herb Kohl as well as Wisconsin State Representative, Gary Sherman, State Senator Bob Jauch and Ashland County officials also gave their support of the application. Wisconsin Department of Transportation, District Engineer, Glenn Landis was responsible for administering the grant funds on behalf of the Federal High way Administration. A twenty percent funding match was required to secure the grant. The Town of LaPointe, Bayield School District and Madeline Island Ferry Line provided the additional funds. The grant funds are being used to purchase the two new sleds and build an island terminal.
Windsleds have been transporting people and freight for over sixty
years in this small northern community. Up until February of 2001,
the windsled service was a private endeavor of Windsleds, Inc.
operated by island residents Arnie and Ronnie Nelson. They
have consistently provided a safe and consistent service for years.
The increasing traffic, a need to enhance service, and mounting
costs required that the Town of LaPointe take over ownership of
the equipment. The original sled previously owned by Windsleds,
Inc. and the two new sleds, are now property of the town. Windsleds,
Inc. will continue to provide their years of experience under an operating
agreement with the Town of LaPointe.
Terminal to be located adjacent to present Emergency Services Building. Architects drawing shown below. 
Owned by Arnie & Ronnie Nelson of La Pointe 
Large passenger windsled manufactured by WINDMARK. 
Small rescue windsled manufactured by NATTIQ. Cost.....$90,227.00 (See more of the sled in LaPointe Windsleds) |