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

I figured it was time to start my new job. Thank you for voting me in as vice commodore of the NEIYA. It is a wonderful organization that I’ve been a part of for many years. Settling down in Wolfeboro in 1986 was by a stroke of luck . Within a couple years I was back on the ice with parts of a rig my dad had made in 1962. The following years always seemed to have local ice and many a Frolic was to be had. I hope those times will return and fun times can be had by all. I’ll try to keep all posted of local conditions and keep the group informed of happenings of this great activity.

Thank you again and hope to see you on the lakes this year.

Not much to report sailing-wise other than we were skunked for beeeze. A total bummer BUT it gave everyone plenty of time to hang out and catch up which, in a group like this, is always great to do.

In twenty-five years of DN sailing I’ve always been amazed at the scope of vocations, avocations and personalities of the people who are involved in this class. Boat captains, doctors, pilots, engineers, musicians, artists, landlords, composite experts, sailmakers, lawyers, boatbuilders, at least one plumber…. The list goes on and on!

Where are these people from? I can tell you that yesterday I chatted with people from Minnesota, Maryland, New York, Maine, Wisconsin, Ohio , Illinois, Rhode Island, Michigan, Germany, Massachusetts, Canada, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Australia. All hanging out in a lake in northern Minnesota. Not bad!

A quick count showed roughly 70 boats here, also a great turnout. We have even spotted a smattering of women and younger sailors in the group, good to see but would be great to have more of both…. Please recruit more women and children into this little cult….

Did I mention some night owls saw the Aurora Borealis last night?

Hoping for breeze today, will update as things go. Looking forward to doing some sailing…. In the meantime see below for some miscellaneous photos.

Think ICE!

T. DN US 5224

The frozen pizza section at Larry’s Food Store:

A small woodpecker eating suet off a deer carcass that someone left hanging from a branch:

Lake Christina from the top of a hill….

Aussies in Minnesota. How the hell???

The Deep Creek-ers made it out:

Action photo from the road:

The launch area Thursday afternoon, before the horde arrived

With Thanksgiving behind us, watchful eyes are monitoring the ice on various lakes and ponds. In case anyone did not see the IDNIYRA announcement last week, our own Paul Chamberland took the honor of first sail. Paul had to really go the distance and success meant going all the way to Alberta Canada.

We already know that the NEIYA contingent has arrived or is en route to Minnesota for the unofficial start of the DN racing season. Secretary Karen will continue to keep us jealous with her reports from Lake Christina. Put it on your calendar for next year.

Bob S. took a swing by Quabaug for a look and it is nowhere near what it needs to be but making progress. Seeing the ice form gives one the motivation to get boats ready.

Meanwhile some 350 miles northeast of Quabaug, Bill Buchholz and cohorts are nosing around a small lake. He reports there are skaters and skimbots. Heavier crafts are holding off for the moment. Pushaw Lake is also being looked at.

A small contingent including myself, VC Charlie S., and George Neisen will be dropping in on the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club’s annual meeting this Sunday. The HRIYC is the historical custodian of many vintage stern steerers. Their goal is to not only maintain but also use the crafts for their intended purpose, sailing on the frozen Hudson and elsewhere. As announced at our own meeting George will be the vintage event point person. Yes, we are going to do our best to make this event happen in 2024.

Our regular call is scheduled for 6:00 pm tonight Thursday 11/30 @ 6:00 pm. Drop in if you can.

Think Ice,

John
DN5023
John@neiya.org