Something to show friends if they want to know about ice boating, especially the stern steering vintage crew.

Neat little story here….

The Schmidt Family Ice Optimist Project – DN North America (idniyra.org)

Great photos and video from the Western Challenge earlier in the month. The ice is no quite as pristine as Pushaw but there was a great turnout (70 boats!) with 21 races run for each fleet!

Take a look, get your gear ready, and pray for some cold weather….

Relive the 2023 Western Challenge – DN North America (idniyra.org)

The latest DN Class Newsletter is out! Click and enjoy! OF course it is yet another masterpiece….

Runner Tracks – DN North America (idniyra.org)

I’ve always been intrigued by, “different” kinds of craft. Not that I don’t have traditional boats in my fleet, but sometimes I like out of the ordinary. When I first got “back into” Iceboating and attending NEIYA meetings in the early 1990’s, I made an old Sarns style DN and used left over crude parts from an iceboat of my youth. It needed about 10 knots of wind to keep it going but I digress. Anyways, at one of my introductory meetings this rig was set up. A little out of the ordinary you might say, but I figured my two girls could have some safe fun with it. This is an original, one of a kind deal, designed and constructed by the late, great Leo Healy. It was a silent bid auction with a coffee can to put your bid in. Soooooo with my daughters name and a $25 bid I figured what the heck. I didn’t stay around too long after the meeting, but when I got home, there was a message on the answering machine. (Pre-cell phone era) I was the only bid. Factoring another tank of gas to go pick it up, I was now the proud owner of, “something different”. As you can see this was a family boat and we had some nice excursions tooting around the local lakes. The children grew and went out on there own as they are supposed to. I did set it up a few times for nostalgia, but eventually let it go to a new home. I hope the new owners get to play on it and have as much fun as we did. Yes you steer it with a rope.

Sorry Folks…. The ice is nice up at Pushaw but there isn’t a plate big enough for a proper regatta…. So we will be patient and wait it out.

Check the CIBC site for info on the lake and sailing.

Exercise caution as early season ice can be hazardous….

it’s Thursday and time to catch up on the ice happenings this week.

We had a Vintage Event kick-off call on Tuesday and are ready to solidify plans once we have ice. If you have a vintage craft and would like to participate in our event sometime in February please contact George Neyssen the Event Chairman or me.

At the moment we know people are sailing up on Pushaw Lake in Maine on a beautiful new plate of ice. However, we await further intel before calling any official event, whether racing or cruising. We will have the latest update on our 6:30 Call. That doesn’t mean you should not join in if you can.

Remember, scouting ice for the first time should always be done with extreme caution but the reward is being on a fresh un tracked plate of ice.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

Great article here about practice, improvement, and everything else it takes to get good at something whether it’s sailing your iceboat, playing an instrument, becoming better at bowling, whatever it is.

Read and learn!

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? — The Favored End

Hey Folks-

Big news as it seems there may be regatta-worthy ice up in Maine…. The surface looks spectacular but as ever we need to confirm that what’s underneath is reasonable safe.

IF we get some good reports we might just be able to have a regatta this weekend. Hopefully we will make an announcement by tomorrow afternoon on this site.

Do recall that this is not only for DN ice yachts- As discussed at the meeting 3 or more of any class will get their own start. Skeeters, Skimmers, Whizzes, Whatever. A sound knowledge of ice yacht sailing right of way rules is a must, so read up on that.

Also keep in mind that a trophy (to be named eventually) will be awarded to the best finish by the skipper sailing the oldest, slowest, most time-worn DN in the fleet. So your boat need not be cutting edge to get some hardware!

Get your gear ready and stay tuned. Think ICE!

Just got this post. Usually this area gets the snow. Flagstaff is one of those, “Dam the river, drown the town”, types of lakes. Much shallow water in a definitely colder part of Maine. Not sure of a good launch site except maybe the main road. There could be moving water there though. Great camping in the summer too and a Main Hut just a short ski in.

This past weekend NEIYA members bursted out of our six New England states to join the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club’s annual meeting. For those who are not familiar with the organization, the HRIYC members are custodians to one of the largest collections of early 20th century ice yacht. Some in their collection were owned by the Roosevelt family.

Those traveling to Hudson NY included VC Charlie, Eben Whitcomb, and our new Vintage Event chairman George Neyssen.

We intend on holding a grand classic iceboat event this season. The welcome mat has been laid down. Has been laid down for the entire region as well as the Midwest. And as we often hear “All we need is ice”

While we sat around inside and talked iceboating on Sunday, several NEIYA members actually sailed. As previously reported by Karen and T there was ideal ice and practice racing on Lake Christina in Ashby, MN. Hats off for the level of commitment to make that happen. More tiller time is the open secret to performance on the race course or cruising.

Coming up we will have our regular call on Thursday at 6:30 maybe there will be some sailable ice to report. If not we will certainly talk about our most recent travels, the Classics event, and how we are getting closer to sailing somewhere.

Any Metro NY iceboaters or those with an interest in iceboating should consider attending the Lake Ronkonkoma Ice Boat Yacht Club Swap Meet.
When: Saturday, December 9th, 2023
From: 12-3 pm
Where: Weeks Yacht Yard
10 Riverview Court, Patchogue, NY
Qeustions: contact John Ziermann racekart8@yahoo.com

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org

Take a look at this vid from today’s racing from the Western Challenge; Great day!
Good breeze, nice ice, seven races each in three different fleets and a whole second course set up for new sailors. Awesome day! Thanks to all who are making it happen….

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYq1SzE5ipc