The new engine power requirement of Finnish-Swedish ice class rules has been criticized to give too high power values for small ships. Therefore the Ship Laboratory of the Helsinki University of Technology observed the performance of the small tonnage in brash ice channels during winter 2003. The observation voyages were made on seven ships, one on each. Additionally the channel profile was measured in three locations so that the performance of the vessels could be evaluated. This report consists the description of the observation voyages and methods, the analysis of the results and conclusions of the performance of small tonnage in ice. The ships in this study are not identified but they are only designated as A, B, C, D, E, F and G.