Summer (ICE) Diversion

We are ticking off the milestones till we get on the ice again. The summer solstice is behind us, Independence Day is past and we are nearing the Dog Days halfway mark.

This weekend I was (again) reminded of how close our ice boat community is and the depths it reaches in sailing at all levels. At an after-race party on the Hudson (Chelsea, NY) I was introduced to someone I already knew through email correspondence on a classified ad for a DN. The boat sold and found a new home in Ontario Canada. That single classified ad connected iceboaters across the northeast and into Canada and down to the majestic Hudson. The Chelsea Yacht Club was originally founded as an iceboat club and many members sail classic stern steerers and more modern craft. For a historic view and classic iceboat origin check out Chelsea YC history. Great iceboat history read. If you have never perused the Hudson River Ice Yacht Clubs, site now’s the time.

This BIG iceboat community is exactly what is behind our Vice Commodore Jay Whitehair’s 2023 BIG Iceboat Gathering initiative. We are looking to hold a gathering of all iceboats next season. A parade of the ages featuring crafts from far and near.

Join us for our first preseason call to discuss the BIG Gathering as well as an upcoming summer drysuit demo next month. Pre Ice call is scheduled for tomorrow Tuesday night July 19th, at 6:15 pm and will last under an hour. To participate please drop me a note at john@neiya.org for login credentials.

Sail Fast, no matter what the craft,

John Stanton
DN5023
John@neiya.org

P.S. Keep cool this week with iceboat thoughts.