Iceboating Anarchy

[Serge A. Storms]

The DN is NOT a one-design class! It's a box rule, and a rather tight one at that.

The boats basically are one-design; There are only a few spar builders and a handful of sailmakers that are prevalent in the class- Seems like all of the mast/sail combinations get up to the front of the fleet regularly-

While the boats aren't one-design they have evolved into the same corner of the rules- so they are all pretty close. Since the class is NOT one-design individual sailors can fine tune their boats (especially plank stiffness and mast stiffness) to suit their size and sailing style- this allows a wide size range of sailors to be competitive across the wind range. Kinda cool.

So you get enough room to tinker and tune but not enough latitude that you can go off on crazy and expensive tangents. Best of both worlds!

In New England we've been informally dividing the DN fleet into modern and classic divisions- people with older boats have been getting out and having some fun with that.

Renegades are cool too- would love to take one for a spin sometime-

One thing I do know is that no matter what the boat the thing that makes it go fast is the nut holding the tiller!

SERGE

 

[us772]

Serge, yesterday I assigned the 52nd sail number for the Mini Skeeter. I would say the majority of the people getting plans are iceboaters. I'm trying to figure out runners rules. My Idea is to limit to 2 pair to help keep costs down. I'm considering allowing a pair of plate runners 26 front 30 rear 4'' to 5'' high. (typical DN runners) My inclination is to allow another set of plates the same length. One set can have 90 degree for hard ice and the other 105 degrees for soft ice. What do you think would be a good option for runners?

 

[Serge A. Storms]

Hey 772- Congrats on cracking 50 numbers! That's awesome.

As for runners, your concept sounds good- only thing I'd suggest is that 105 degrees sounds like it would have traction issues- I know that on a DN 100 degree runners get a little twitchy in all but light wind- maybe different in a mini-Skeeter though-

 

[Serge A. Storms]

Don't forget the New England Ice Yacht Association annual meeting and swap meet is today (11-5-16) in Westborough, MA.

Come on out and take a look at the gear and see what this iceboating stuff is all about!

Info here:

https://theneiya.org/

 

[us772]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=share&v=besJYrCVYOk

Skeeter racing yesterday in Wisconsin

 

[us772]

A few years back I made the first Mini Skeeter iceboat. One of the reasons I made is that it's easy to transport and setup. Because of that we've been able to explore different places to iceboat on a moments notice. This year has been the coldest winter I've experienced since moving to Montana in 95. The bays on Flathead lake have been frozen for 3 months. Unfortunately we are experiencing record snow fall as well delaying the start iceboating season until the last 3 weeks.

We live in a spectacular place to enjoy the sport. It's next to miraculous to get all the elements of hard snow free smooth ice and wind to come together as one to sail. I recorded a few of our trips traveling across Montana and sailing some local ice on Flathead Lake that we've never sailed before. I will typically set up a windward leeward race course. We fun raced for hours until our arms were noodled. Yesterday I sailed out to the windiest part on Big Arm Bay with the drone in tow to try my hand at recording some video. I followed some of the iceboats around for a while recording them. After doing that I flew the drone and pointed it to record where I was standing next to its carrying case. Drone In the air I put the controller on the case and got into my iceboat and sailed around and recorded the action. - Good Times!

 

[Serge A. Storms]

Fast is fun....   


And pretty much nothing is faster than an iceboat!

If you are interested in getting on the ice this year and live in NE be sure to check out the NEIYA Tune Up Clinic tomorrow in Canton, MA...

This clinic is always informative, instructive, and if nothing else you'll leave with a head full of knowledge and a full belly!

Info here or scroll around https://theneiya.org

Date: Saturday December 9th
Time: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Location: Arthur C. Lamb Company 85 Jackson St, Canton, MA 02021
Refreshments: Served continuously throughout the day

Clinics start right off at 10:30 AM

10:30 – Bob Haag will talk about and demo chock and runner alignment.  Misaligned chocks are slow!

11:15 – Chad Atkins– Sail Trim – Chad will demonstrate what he has learned developing sails for North and the DN Class. We will have a fully rigged boat and a sail hung horizontally so you can really see shape.

12 Noon – Lunch Rumors of Venison stew, the Lamb’s famous chili and hot dogs

12:30 – James “T” Thieler–  He will discuss and demonstrate what your plank should look like and the effects of different stiffnesses

1:15 – TBD Runner profile benefits. Steve will tackle questions we have all had. 18” of flat? More? Less? Why?

2:00 – Eben Whitcomb – Safety and Race Rules- really something we can’t talkabout enough, and a good refresher for everyone.

All Ice boaters are Welcome to this Clinic Racers, Cruisers, Voyeurs and Vagabond.

OLD ICEBOAT IN THE BARN? BRING IT. WE’LL TAKE A LOOK AND HELP GET YOU ON THE ICE THIS SEASON.

In addition we welcome any newcomers trying to get into ice boating and onto the ice this season.

 

[jrfarrar]

So far in Erie, PA 2018

 

[dacapo]

Orange Lake NY last week:

 

[Serge A. Storms]

Interested in giving iceboating a shot or checking out some of the craft?  Come to the New England Ice Yacht Association annual meeting and swap meet in Hudson, MA on November 3.

There will be boats and gear set up and all kinds of stuff for sale, from bits and pieces to whole boats.  

You cannot find a wind-related thrill that compares to ripping it up on the ice....  It'll make you look forward to winter!

For more information and directions go to    https://theneiya.org/   Hope to see you there!

 

[Serge A. Storms]

More Swap Meets!

Take a look here-  More swap meets than you can shake a stick at!  Find one near you and get your ass on the ice!  Nothing like it....  Best knots-per-dollar ratio in yachting....

NEW ENGLAND ICE YACHTING ASSOCIATION SWAP MEET & LUNCHEON
November 3, 2018 10:00 AM (Swap Meet) 12:00 (Luncheon and Meeting)
Hudson-Concord Elks Hall – 99 Park Street, Hudson, MA 01749
Details

CHICKAWAUKIE ICE BOAT CLUB
Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018 11:00 AM
12 Cretian Rd., Biddeford, ME 04005
Details

WESTERN MICHIGAN ICE YACHT CLUB SWAP MEET
November 3, 2018 9 AM until 2 PM
Muskegon Yacht Club – 3198 Edgewater St., Muskegon, Michigan
Details

SKEETER ICEBOAT CLUB SWAP MEET
November 4, 2018 9 AM until noon
220 N. Elkhorn Rd. (WI Hwy 67), Williams Bay, WI.
Details

MINNESOTA ICEBOAT CLUB SWAP MEET
November 3, 2018 9AM until noon
Sailcrafters – 7450 Oxford Street, St. Louis Park, MN 55426
Details

 

[hobie17li]

Hey you forgot Lake Ronkonkoma Ice Boat & Yacht Club Swap

Meet at Weeks Boat Yard, River Ave, Patchogue, NY, I believe it

Is Dec 8, 1-4. One of the officers can correct me if I am wrong.

Doug A

 

[Serge A. Storms]

If you live near Montreal don't forget to attend this one!

https://www.idniyra.org/2018/10/28/iceboating-presentation-in-montreal-nov-15/

If you are in the Montreal area and want to learn more about ice sailing, Andre Baby and Jack Marcenski are presenting a program open to the public at the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club on November 15, 2018. Last year’s presentation attracted  80 attendees. Information on the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club website.

 

[nice_ice]

View from the first sailor to hit the ice for 2018-2019 iceboating season - yesterday (30 Oct 18) in Norway. 

 

[us772]

Tis the season for iceboating!

     My friend Dave Farmer and I got a chance to the International Skeeter Association 2018 regatta in early December held at Battle Lake Minnesota. The turnout was light so they let us race unofficially in the regatta in our MiniSkeeters. The A Skeeters were amazing to watch. The ice literally shook under your feet as they rounded the leeward mark. Good ice conditions with light winds. We got in 6 races per class on Friday and Saturday.  Here is a short video from the regatta. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6LG2sOljWt0

 

[Serge A. Storms]

In other news the DN Central Regional Champs have been called on for this weekend (Dec 29-30) on Houghton Lake in central MI.  Be sure to check it out or even better, sign up and compete!

Details here  https://www.idniyra.org

 

[us772]

Thanks to La Nina were having a good season in the North Western Montana. 13 days of iceboating so far since November. Here is some video footage of our local iceboat crew all shot in the Flathead Valley     .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ykwVN-HOG4 

 

[Serge A. Storms]

Great video from the recent DN Ice Yacht European Championship in Poland.  Check it out!

 

[Serge A. Storms]

Great vid from Polish DN Champs last weekend....  Click and check it out!

https://www.idniyra.org/2019/02/04/2019-polish-championship-the-conclusion/

 

[Serge A. Storms]

It's getting to be that time of year again....  Nights are getting chilly, soft water craft are being put away....  Time to check out the hard water world!

If you are interested in getting into iceboating make this the year.  Pick a swap meet near you and see what craft will be on display and for sale-  you may just get hooked!

Read on for places and dates-  See you on the ice!  Serge

EAST:
New England Ice Yacht Association
Saturday November 2, 2019
10 AM with lunch at noon
Hudson-Concord Elks Hall

99 Park Street, Hudson, MA 01749
More information.
 
Chickawaukie Ice Boat Club (Maine)
Sunday November 3, 2019
11 AM, pot luck lunch
12 Chretien Rd.
Biddeford, ME  04005
https://iceboat.me/


 


 
CENTRAL:
Deep Creek Lake Ice Sailing Club (Western MD)

November 30, 2019
10AM
158 Yacht Club Road
Swanton MD 21561
Contact Ray Gauthier for info at [email protected]
 
 


West Michigan Swap Meet at the Muskegon Yacht Club
Saturday, November 2, 2019
9 AM – 1 PM
3198 Edgewater St, Muskegon, MI 49441
WEST
Skeeter Iceboat Club Swap Meet
Sunday, November 3, 2019
9 AM to Noon
Lucke’s Cantina
220 N. Elkhorn Rd. (WI Hwy 67), Williams Bay, WI.
More information

FAR WEST
Minnesota Ice Sailors Swap Meet
Saturday, November 2, 2019
9 AM – Noon
Sailcrafters
7450 Oxford St., St. Louis Park, MN 55426
More information