How many iceboaters does it take to make a runner body?
The answer, seven with 225 years of ice boat tiller time.
- Greg Cornelius to watch from afar.
- Jeff Kent to advise and mock from up close.
- Steve Madden to actually cut material.
- Big Mike to trim edges.
- Jack Ericson to quietly, unobtrusively observe.
- Steve Duhamel to laugh at how inept the aforementioned group is.
- T Thieler someone had to take the picture
- Maine resident Dave Fortier to be a lightning rod for a torrent of abuse from the Massachusetts residents in the photo (which is everyone).
Good time had by all!
Please pay your dues and lunch online today. Don’t worry you do not have to have PayPal, any credit/debit card will do. Lunch is a club subsidized $10 this year. Yes, the same low price as last year! Our treasurer Bob Haag would appreciate online payment or at least let him know (treasurer@neiya.org) you’re coming for an accurate head count. There will be plenty of Swedish meatballs.
| Description | Price | |
| 2017 Membership | $30 |
 |
| 2017 Membership and Lunch | $40 |
|
| 2017 Membership for one & Lunch x2 | $50 |
|
| Lunch Only | $10 |
|
If you have any extra gear be sure to list it in the classified section and drag it to the swap meet. Your old gear will make someone very happy.
Stay tuned for more info- Looking forward to seeing everyone- Be there or be square!
Think Ice and see at the Meeting
From The Video Vault – 2003 DN Worlds & NAs
From deep down in the bowels of the video vault, what is believed to be the only full video coverage of the 2003 DN Gold Cub and North Americans has surfaced.
We have added a few notes to the video. Can you find yourself or fellow competitors out there on the ice? If so leave a comment about where on the video and we will add a note for all to see. Any commentary is welcome. Jot em down now as yoyu will forget later.
UPDATE: Click here to read to read Rosemary Hamill’s story about 2003 North American Championship, “A Champion’s Cheering Section – Our View from the Race Pits“.
Let’s not forget our annual meeting Saturday Novemeber 5th. The Meeting welcomes a new season and time to pay your dues.
Please pay your dues and lunch online today. Don’t worry you do not have to have PayPal, any credit/debit card will do. Lunch is a club subsidized $10 this year. Yes, the same low price as last year! Our treasurer Bob Haag would appreciate online payment or at least let him know (treasurer@neiya.org) you’re coming for an accurate head count. There will be plenty of Swedish meatballs.
| Description | Price | |
| 2017 Membership | $30 |
|
| 2017 Membership and Lunch | $40 |
|
| 2017 Membership for one & Lunch x2 | $50 |
|
| Lunch Only | $10 |
|
If you have any extra gear be sure to list it in the classified section and drag it to the swap meet. Your old gear will make someone very happy.
It’s on! Annual Meeting, Swap & Lunch Saturday 11/5/16
All NEIYA members, iceboaters and anyone with any interest in iceboating,
The fall meeting and swap meet has been scheduled for November 5, and once again will be at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 17 Willow St, Westborough, MA 01581.
Swap meet starts at 9AM in the parking lot, lunch at meeting starts at noon in the hall. There will be great door prizes
Put it on your calendars folks! Start digging out all the gear you want to sell or trade and start making a list of anything you’d like to bring up at the meeting.
Please pay your dues and lunch online today. Don’t worry you do not have to have PayPal, any credit/debit card will do. Lunch is a club subsidized $10 this year. Yes, the same low price as last year! Our treasurer Bob Haag would appreciate online payment or at least let him know (treasurer@neiya.org) you’re coming for an accurate head count. There will be plenty of Swedish meatballs.
| Description | Price | |
| 2017 Membership | $30 |
|
| 2017 Membership and Lunch | $40 |
|
| 2017 Membership for one & Lunch x2 | $50 |
|
| Lunch Only | $10 |
|
If you have any extra gear be sure to list it in the classified section and drag it to the swap meet. Your old gear will make someone very happy.
Stay tuned for more info- Looking forward to seeing everyone- Be there or be square!
Think Ice and see at the Meeting
Black Ice Fanatic Seeking Black Top…
Hello All-
Joachim Roesler is looking for some info about local landsailing- read on, this might work out well for someone- take a look at the attached photo! If you have any info for him, give him a shout- his contact info is at the bottom- Think Ice!
He writes: I was wondering if you could put the word out for some help with a land sailing question.
Recently I have scouted and found a very nice old airfield near Boston, SouthField in Rockland, MA. The main runway would be very suitable for some land sailing (see attached pic of my hybrid ride).
However, I have not yet been able to identify who controls that old airfield, or whom I would have to ask for permission.
Do you think anyone in our ice sailing audience would know or could help with that? I’m offering free rides, if it works out.
Thanks!
JoR
Joachim P. Roesler
New Canaan, CT
JoeRoesler@gmail.com
IDNIYRA – New Site – New Way to Join
Hey Folks-
The Regular membership remains at the bargain price $25 per year. You now have the option to pay conveniently through Paypal for one, two or three years.
The Sustaining membership is $35 per year and for those who want to give a little bit extra to help support promotional, regatta, and basic class expenses. Again, you have the option to pay for one, two, or three years.
There’s also a Donation button on the Membership page for anyone who would like to give an amount of their choice to help insure the future of DN racing.
Think Ice,
Classic (very) iceboating designs
John Mandryk, who has a house at Deep Creek Lake in MD, is going to try to build an old style Dutch ice yacht. And the term “old style” really applies here as this will be similar to the oldest iceboats we know of, going back to the late 1500’s!
Take a look at the attachments and have a look at his emails on the subject- if you think you can lend a hand or offer him some advice or an atta-boy give him a shout-
Here is an email of his:
Thanks for you interest in my quest for learning about the “Traditional Dutch Ice Yacht”
I tell my friends, that after two years of retirement, I have had only three “bad days”: Two were on the golf course (so what else is new?) and one was watching my friends sail their DN’s on Deep Creek Lake in Maryland, where I have a Lake House. My problem is that at age 67, I have had one hip replaced and one that should be replaced. And when I move, it is like the Tin Man in the Wizard of OZ. So sailing a DN or its equivalent is pretty much out of the question.
So I embarked on a search to find a Hard Water vessel that might accommodate my needs. I fell down a rabbit hole of endless myriads of Google Searches and finally discovered the “Traditional Dutch Ice Yacht”, or as they are called in the Netherlands: old Dutch ijsschuiten.
So here are my objectives.
1. Find pictures, line drawings, etc. and categorize these examples into convenient “Types”.
Note: I have displayed these on Pinterest for anyone interested to observe and to make comments, corrections, etc.
They can be searched by using the search words:
Type I iJsschuiten
Type II iJsschuiten
Type III iJsschuiten
Type IV iJsschuiten
Type V iJsschuitne
Type VI iJsschuiten
2. I intend to learn about the historical, traditional Dutch “soft water” craft and will hopefully make some connection between them and these ice yachts: For example what boats from history were influential on the design of the ice yachts. Can we make some general observations. I have been coached on this by Bert Van Baar a Boat builder in the Netherlands, and Cees van der Rest of Vaartips Nederland, and Maartin de Groot of the Netherlands.
3. I am enrolled in a the course “Elements of Design” at the Wooden Boat School in Brooklin Maine this summer. My objective is to make line drawings of the Types that I eventually settle upon. John Brooks of Brooks Boats Designs will be my instructor.
4. I have some stitch and glue sailboat plan recommendations from Paul Fisher of Selway Fisher in the UK. and Bill Buchholz. They could be modified to make and ice yacht. If I can come up with a suitable solution, I could have the vessel completed by February 2018.
5. Meanwhile I will convert my 8 ” sailing dingy to an old Dutch ijsschuiten for an experimental launch on February 2017. (Note: A club member in the Netherlands did a similar thing)
Note: To accomplish this I will need to:.
1. Build the “A” frame, and Sails. I have drawings from Maarten de Groot, Secretary of IJszeilvereniging De Robben, Netherlands that give me great guidance.
2. I received skates from a 1930’s rear steerer from Bill Bucholz of Apache Ice Boats in Camden, Me.
3. I was gifted a DN crossbrace to support 200 pounds from my neighbor and DN enthusiast Ray Gauthier of Annapolis, MD and Deep Creek Lake Maryland.
So this is my evolving story.
Let me know what you think.
John Mandryk
Boalsburg, PA
Deep Creek Lake, Me.
john_mandryk@comcast.net
PS. I have copied everyone who has been mentioned in this email. It is so amazing how generous people are with their time and talent. This project is really a compilation of their efforts. I am just the coordinator.
Examples of Type I Traditional Ice Yacht
Possible Plan A for Type I Traditional Dutch Ice Yacht
Possisble Plan B for Type I Traditional Dutch Ice Yacht
Type II. Traditional Dutch Ice Yacht Examples
Possible Plan for Type II Traditional Ice Yacht.
Warren Nethercotte Recognized By Sail Canada
![W_Nethercote[1]](https://i0.wp.com/neiya.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/w_nethercote1.jpg?w=291&h=291&crop=1&ssl=1 "W_Nethercote[1]")
![Warren_at_USODA_2012_Opti_Team_feature_photo_1[1]](https://i0.wp.com/neiya.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/warren_at_usoda_2012_opti_team_feature_photo_11.png?w=291&h=291&crop=1&ssl=1 "Warren_at_USODA_2012_Opti_Team_feature_photo_1[1]")
Ripped from the headlines of Scuttlebutt Sailing News and Sail Canada (Original Sail Canada article). Our Canadian and Nova Friend Warren Nethercotte (KC 3786) has been recognized as a top Sail Canada Volunteer. Echoing Sail Canada’s write-up, Warren is a tireless traveler, relentless competitor and all around great guy off the ice. In addition to all the contributions mentioned by Sail Canada, he is a pivotal member of the NOVA Ice Boat Club and serves as IDNIYRA Canadian Vice Commodore. When we see Warren sailing in New England, you can be sure that he has driven at least 50% more miles than anyone on and off the ice. As we all know, dedication and miles traveled equals more ice time. Warren congratulations from the New England Ice Yacht Association and see you on the ice in six months time.
![scuttlebutt-logo2[1]](https://neiya.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/scuttlebutt-logo211-e1465658801138.png?w=590){kind=logo}
![logo[4]](https://neiya.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/logo4.png?w=590){kind=logo}
(June 10, 2016) – Warren is a tireless contributor to his club, the province of Nova Scotia, Sail Canada, and regattas around the world. A continuously active volunteer at St Margaret Sailing Club, he has been on the club’s Board of Directors for a number of years, only very recently stepping down.
Warren’s leadership has been evident with Sail Canada’s Training & certification Committee – Chair from 2010 – 2013, and continued as a contributing member through 2015.
A leader in the training and development of Sailing Judges, Warren was active with Sail Canada’s Judges Sub-committee for decades. As an International Judge, Warren holds a wealth of knowledge and experience from his many appointments on sailing juries around the world.
Warren finds some time for himself – he is an avid ice-boater in the winter, and enjoys sailing a Soling in the summers. His volunteering touches so many – you will still find him volunteering as a Judge at regattas up and down the Atlantic Seaboard and at local, provincial & national US and Canadian sailing championships!
The St Margaret Sailing Club is a Member Club with Sail Nova Scotia and Sail Canada. A registered CANSail Training Site, SMSC’s Sailing School delivers CANSail dinghy programming for youth and Keelboat training for adults. They run weekend & weeknight racing for their members. Each year SMSC hosts the famous Bay Wind Regatta, and is renowned for hosting class championships at all levels, and the Sail Canada’s Sail East & National Youth Championships.
Think Ice,
John
VC
P.S. Only ten days till the days start getting shorter!
Thin…With a “K”
Found while wandering around a boat yard on the banks of the Stony Creek in Branford, CT.
But seriously, the owner should get a refund for the spelling error.
Think Ice people, the Summer Solstice is two weeks away and the days only get shorter from there.
John
Chad Goes North…
While most of us are happy to buy the same sails used by the top of the DN fleet from a few of the usual suspects, one of our own Chad Atkins has been working directly with North Sails. Read all about it in his interview with North.
We’re all looking forward to seeing more development from Chad and North next season.
For a little less eye strain check here. http://theneiya.org/north-sails-chad-atkins-interview/
Links to North Sails and Learn more about the new North Sails designs for the DN Iceboat.
2016 NEIYA SPRING MEETING REPORT
The spring NEIYA meeting was a big success- at least thirty, maybe forty people (some youngsters, some grizzled vets, cruisers, racers, a Maine resident or two, and at least one dog) showed up at Composite Solutions Inc. in Hingham, MA to wrap up the season and hang out a bit before soft water season kicks in full-force.
Plenty of food on hand (thanks to Mike Hart of Hart Brothers Caterting and Dina’s Pizza!) out in the office and plenty of interesting projects to check out in the shop!
Safe to say a good time had by all! Great to socialize and swap stories and we had a bonus presentation by Jeff Kent (with a little help from his latest co-conspirator Chad Atkins) on the evolution of the composite DN mast. Jeff began to get serious about DN sailing just as composite rigs were making their first appearance and he has been at the leading edge of that technology since. He talked about the various rules, requirements, building techniques and materials, successes and failures over the years- absolutely fascinating stuff, and then we even got to hear about what his latest thinking is about what might be the next big development. I’d elaborate but we were all sworn to secrecy….
Great way to wrap up the season. Already looking forward to the fall meeting! Many thanks to Jeff for letting us have the run of the place and for the presentation- Thanks to all who showed up as well- really exciting to see such a jump in attendance over last year. Well done gang!
Stay tuned and THINK ICE!
T
Spring Get Together Saturday April 9th
Of course, part of me is sorry to say we have to talk about an on land Spring gathering. The calendar and the thermometer says we must.
Jeff Kent has once again graciously opened up his shop for all interested ice boaters.
Whether you are running/planning a gran-prix or back yard program, there will be a panel of experts available to help you.
- Get Started
- Go Faster
- Go even Faster
- Attain Ludicrous Speed
- Tactics galore
Jeff Kent will be on hand to discuss the next generation in mast technology. This will include a behind the scenes look at the brand new mast plug and mold. Our own version and private showing of “How it’s Made”. You have to be here as this will not be televised.
Get there at 11:00 AM sip on your favorite beverage while drinking in decades of knowledge. A tasty lunch will be provided. Feel free to bring adult beverages of your choosing.
Place: Composite Solutions,
Time: 11:00 – 3:00 PM
Show up with the desire to go faster…
See you there,
John Stanton
john@neiya.org
Iceboating Report from PEI
Six DNs travelled from Nova Scotia to PEI this weekend to join PEI-based NIYC members on Covehead Bay, near Stanhope. Some were cruisers but there were enough racers for us to decide to sail for the Nova Ice Yacht Club’s Nova Scotia trophy – OK , we were in PEI, but have you seen any ice in NS recently? There was about 2 km of available ice with plenty of room to set a course about 0.6 mile in length.
Temperatures were below freezing all weekend. On Saturday we sailed on 7 or 8 inches of hard salt-water ice covered with about 3 inches of soft snow. The wind started at about 8 knots and built to 10 to 12 as the day progressed. Plate runners and FO1s were the order of the day. As the day wore on the snow began to drift and the ride got bumpier as the boats knocked to tops off the drifts. It was fast, powered-up sailing, and Bob Crinion had the measure of us with six bullets.
Saturday night we retired to Doug Gaudet’s for dinner where Helen treated us well; indeed, at lunch on Saturday she brought hot chili to the launch site!
Sunday morning dawned clear and windy, and as feared Saturday’s drifts had hardened into boat-breakers. There were lots of clear patches, but the prospect of tearing a plank off on a hardened drift or having an out-of-boat experience brought common sense to the fore. We loaded up and headed home. Despite sailing only one day we had a grand time, with special thanks to hosts Doug an Helen Gaudet. Photos by Doug and Helen too.
If that is the end of the season, it ended well! Great Western Challenge next?
| Races | Total | |||||||
| 1 | Bob Crinion | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2 | Warren Nethercote | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | RET | 2 | 12 |
| 3 | Danny Mosher | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 17 |
| 4 | Art Samson | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | DNS | DNS | 18 |
| 5 | Wayne Matheson | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 23 |
| 6 | Mike Webber | DNS | DNS | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 27 |
| 7 | Howard Garland | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | DNS | 30 |
Warren
2016 Nova Scotia Championships
March 19, 2016. Covehead Bay, PEI
Lake Erie in all her fury
As we once again move from the solid to the liquid state, the awesome powers of wind and water are revealed. Thanks to Walt Colantuono for passing this photo essay on.
http://theneiya.org/2016/03/16/lake-erie-in-all-her-fury/
Think Ice, wind and waves,
John
john@neiya.org
Drones Trained on Newfound Lake Sunday
Thanks to Nigel Croxon for skillfully piloting his drone and capturing the struggles of the day.
To view the video as drone pilot / videographer intended click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl_A9a11sHE.
Nigel thanks again and hope you come out next time.
Still thinking ice,
John Stanton
Who’s Sailing Sunday – Where?
As reported earlier and by our friends in Maine. Lots of people sailed both around the buoys and around the shores. There will be more in the morning. Not too late to pack, get some sleep and drive in the early morning hours.
Newfound lake in Bristol NH and Great pond in Belgrade ME (see iceboat.me) are the places as well as a few others that have already been reported.
Sail fast and safe tomorrow.
Ever thought about what punishment your front runner goes through as it passes over smooth and otherwise ice. Bill Converse trained his GoPro forward and captured just that. A day in the life of a steering runner.
More Bill Converse pictures from last week on Wentworth.
Think Ice,
John
Start of the Week Odds and Island Friends
Thanks to Bill Converse for sending over a few more shots from Lake Wentworth.
This season we have all been traveling more than usual. And it’s not just us but some of our friends from Long Island as well. Since we have been crossing paths so much this season, thought I would pass on their most recent newsletter. Make sure you say hello the next time you see them on at the launch or on the ice.
There is still safe sailable ice out there.
Not done yet!
But wait, There’s More – Moosehead
Four of us from Cape Cod took the trip to Moosehead Friday night for a great sail on Saturday. We started the day very early with about 10 mph of breeze. The wind built steadily throughout day. After I took an interesting spin out after lunch, we all shortly there after decided to head for shore and the long drive home.
Thanks to the “usual suspects” from Chickie for hosting and helping us explore Moosehead’s vast icy reaches
Have trailer will travel. We are not done yet!
Rick
Not Done Yet…
Photo credit Bill Converse
Conditions are ever changing. What looks good sometimes is not and visa versa. It’s all a matter of of not giving up and being at the right place at the right time.
Seek and ye shall find. Sailors had a good day on Lake Wentworth Saturday, and Sunday. Plenty of ice, surface about grade 6 but for this time of year, sail-able. Good wind after 2:00 P.M. Very light early.
More pictures to come.
2016 DN NA’s – And The Winner Is…
The results are in. More recaps out tomorrow some time. It’s a long haul home to RI.
In the mean time take a look at how the NEIYA was represented on the results.
More later,
T
2016 DN North American Championship Results
![e3bea55d_o[1]](https://neiya.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/e3bea55d_o1-e1456705493920.png)
Ice Boating is Everywhere…
People often ask me, with a disbelieving look, where can one ice boat. The short answer is, anywhere there is suitable ice.
In that “anywhere” category is this story and video by The Inquirer and Mirror of Nantucket. A publication that has been in continuous existence since 1821. Yes, Nantucket home to sea fairing legends and reality. The fabled whaling port and home of the whaling ship Essex. If you have not read In the Heart of the Sea, put it on your list.
Thanks to local Tim Reinemo for sending article and video.
The Inquirer and Mirror
@InkyM
newsroom@inkym.com
(Feb. 17, 2016) As temperatures dropped into the single digits and below earlier this week, some Nantucketers broke out their ice boats and took to Nantucket’s ponds on Sunday. Monday was equally cold, but there was no wind. Inquirer and Mirror photographer shot this short video of the cold-weather action.
Think Ice — Look North to Maine and the CIBC http://iceboat.me for safe sailable ice.
John
DN 5023
john@neiya.org
Should have been there…
Ice wisdom says there is always thin ice someplace — but remember the corollary there is sailable ice out there as well.
Several sailors from the NEIYA, Long Island and a stray from the Hudson Valley, sailed Mallets Bay in Colchester, VT Sunday. They were stragglers from the abandoned New England Championships but walked off the ice knowing those that didn’t come missed out on a fine piece of ice.
Those fleeing the wet ice of Mallets were in transit to the NA’s in Madison and passing through a new region of the mid-west “Equatorial Chicago”, with their AC blasting.
Back at Mallets condition briefings were given by area local experts Bob’s Dill and Schumacher and Paul Gervais. The plate was holding firm with only a
few scars.
Those that showed up were treated to large patches of glassy smooth slightly wet ice. The wind held till early afternoon than shut down when the sun began to show.
There is a moral of the story here. — Conditions are ever changing from good to bad and back again — You will never know from the couch.
There will be more ice this season. Some of us haven’t gotten out but i’m pretty sure it will be out there.
Good Luck to all the competitors at the NA’s, especially our home region favorites!
Think Ice,
John
And They’re Off…
About 10% of our membership is on the road to the DN North Americans. The call was made last night and the destination is Madison Wisconsin. Good luck guys! Drive safely and bring home some silver. More on this from our man on the scene Commodore “T” who will check in from the road, hotel shoreline and on the ice or where ever he has cell service. As we all know, especially this season, it’s hard to find decent conditions to sail and an even greater task when a major regatta is involved.
Eric Anderson outlined and previously published what was involved with pulling off the 2014 DN North American’s. Here is a link to the archived article “Many Miles to the 2014 DN North Americans“. Some time after the dust from the trophies changing hands settled we will publish a piece on the planning/scouting phase of the 2016 NA’s from the Eastern perspective. Stay tuned.
Closer to home let’s not forget that we are not done yet. Bill Buchholz and the CIBC crowd have been sailing this week. Reports are in from Sunapee in NH as well as Mallet’s Bay in VT. Waiting on some VT details but all reports are of a spectacular plate. Sunapee locals Ron and Kate have put out the welcome mat, conditions are looking a little challenging but we are used to that. I don’t have to say it but our season is short and little wet sailing is better than none at all.
If your thinking of sailing, on the fence, looking at the weather reports or already packed let’s hear from you. Either comment hear or reply to the Ice Reports email. Yes all you have to do is hit reply.
John Stanton
john@neiya.org
UPDATE: 2016 DN Eastern Region Championship Postponed
The 2016 DN Eastern Region Championship will once again be postponed due to the extreme forecast for this weekend in Colchester, VT on Inner Mallets Bay.
Next up for the IDNIYRA is the North Americans starting next week February 22nd with registration the night before. Information: NOR full registration info at IDNIYRA.org
See you there,
Chad Atkins – ERC
catkins4487@gmail.com
Mushamush Tales
Not sure if it’s from reading Jack London or Robert Service but the name Mushamush conjures up something distinctly Canadian. In this case it’s not the Yukon but The Maritimes and specifically Nova Scotia.
Below is Warren Nethercote’s chronicles from this past Sunday on Mushamush.
Things are firming up all over the place so stay tuned for some action.
Nine DNs turned out on Mushamush today – or really 8 1/2, since I didn’t arrive until late because of an airport run. Howard, Tyler, Derek, Clyde, Bob, Dave, Mike, Art and I had a good time.
The ice was hard in the morning but the surface softened as noon approached. When I arrived around noon the boys were coming in to enjoy Claudette’s excellent chowder as I rigged and sailed with 1/4 inch 100 degree inserts and an FO1. I was good! The foundation ice was still black, but with patches of white ice here and there and a uniform quarter inch slush topcoat. I didn’t think my hundred degree inserts were necessary, but Art reported that his 3/16 inserts were digging deep.
After lunch the sun came out in force with reinforced wind and we all had fast, exciting rides until it was time to head home. The rides were a bit wet too, from slushy spray from bow runners.
On the wistful side, the ice on Mushamush is getting thinner, and without a good cold spell is not long for this world. We need to be thankful that Sherbrooke has thicker ice. The right conditions should see us there before season’s end. It was my tenth day sailing this season – not great compared to the previous two years, but not bad, considering El Nino.
Not all of the photos are of my boat: at one point Dave Collins got his camera out and rumor has it that there are some good action shots of boats loaded up and goin’ fast!
Warren
DN KC3786
New England Ice Yacht Association 