The DN remains the world’s most popular iceboat for many reasons. It’s usually someone’s first ride, home buildable, easy to transport and set up, and pure fun to sail. The DN is also the perfect size for a permanent exhibit in the National Sailing Hall of Fame’s new museum in Newport, Rhode Island.
The DN’s natural wood hull, plank, and runners will stand out among the other five soft-water boats that will permanently hang from the former armory’s impressive wood ceiling in the interactive exhibition hall.
Home built by Doug Kolner (Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club) in Monona, Wisconsin, the boat reflects the DN’s humble beginnings at the Detroit News hobby shop in the 1930s and its evolvement into a modern racing machine. Doug built the boat using standard plans and it is most representative of the type of DN you’ll see at North American regattas. Typical of modern DN racers, the hull was built using Gougeon brothers epoxy, Harken brothers blocks, and Sarns hardware.
The DN class is honored to symbolize the spirit of American ice yachting in the new Sailing Museum.
Our friends in Sweden appear to be the first in the world to hit the hardwater. They hunted down some impressive new ice in Skelleftea, Sweden. Thanks to Dideric van Riemsdijk for taking a moment to send the photos.
Ask Matt Struble – Live Friday, 12 November at 7 PM ET/ 6 PM CT
UPDATE:
Join Mike Madge and Matt Struble US183 live on Zoom as he talks about early season DN iceboat and body preparation, followed by a question and answer session. An email has been sent to all class members with the Zoom link. Not a member? Not to worry, just use the sign up form below to receive the link. All are welcome.
Mike and Matt will be covering topics geared for the beginner to intermediate iceboater. They’d like to extend a special invitation to those new to the class or who want to participate in DN iceboating.
What To Know:
Please make sure your device is muted before you join the meeting.
For questions, please use the chatbox, and Mike will unmute you so that you can speak directly with Matt.
Can’t make it? Mike will record the entire session so you watch it later.
If you aren’t a DN class member or didn’t receive the email, use the sign up form below to receive the link
Matt Struble is a three-time DN world champion, a four-time DN North American champion, and holds other soft-water sailing titles. Though he currently lives in San Diego, Matt continues to sail DNs whenever he visits his family in Michigan.
You are a crucial part of the number one ice sailing class in the world. Your dues support this website, the class newsletter Runner Tracks, and the class yearbook. Your dues help to maintain the value of your DN and make you eligible to vote in officer elections and class business. You must be a member of the IDNIYRA to compete at regional and continental regattas.
If you’d rather mail a check or have any questions about your membership, please contact Executive Secretary Deb Whitehorse treasurer.idniyra@gmail.com
DONATE TO THE IDNIYRA
Another way to support the class is to donate to the IDNIYRA. We keep membership dues reasonable to encourage participation. Your donation will help secure the future of the largest ice sailing fleet in the world. The IDNIYRA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
NOTE: The 2 proposals that were approved come into effect 31 May 2022!
The Autumn 2021IDNIYRA and IDNIYRA EU combined ballot closed at 1200 US CT October 21, 2021. Two-thirds of ‘yes’ votes are required for a question to pass. The results are as follows:
61% percent of eligible members participated in the ballot. Abstentions were allowed on individual questions.
Question 1: PROPOSAL TO CHANGE SPECIFICATION G14 SAIL WINDOW SIZE 160 yes / 8 against (95.2% yes, Question 1 passes and comes into effect May 31, 2022.)
Question 2: PROPOSAL TO ADD SPECIFICATION I. FITTINGS SELF-RELEASING STEERING POST HEAD 65 yes / 82 against (55.8% no, Question 2 fails.)
Question 3: PROPOSAL TO CHANGE SPECIFICATION A30 NATIONAL LETTERS AND SAIL NUMBER 110 yes / 50 against (68.8% yes, Question 3 passes and comes into effect May 31, 2022)
VOTE BY CONTINENT
1. G14 SAIL WINDOW SIZE
Votes tallied: 168
Abstentions: 4
NA
EU
Total
Yes – I approve the amendment
107
53
160
No – I reject the amendment
6
2
8
113
55
2. I. FITTINGS SELF-RELEASING STEERING POST HEAD
Votes tallied: 147
Abstentions: 25
NA
EU
Total
Yes – I approve the amendments
37
28
65
No – I reject the amendments
63
19
82
100
47
3. A30 NATIONAL LETTERS AND SAIL NUMBER
Votes tallied: 160
Abstentions: 12
NA
EU
Total
Yes – I approve the amendments
79
31
110
No – I reject the amendments
26
24
50
105
55
The members support to the governance of the DN Class is appreciated.
Attila Pataky (M-100) Commodore IDNIYRA EU
Jody Kjoller (US 5435) Commodore IDNIYRA
COVID 19 continues to affect our everyday activities of life, whether home, work, or leisure. Border crossings between Canada and U.S. remain challenging and in flux. It may continue to affect our coming hard water season, but we have plans in place and a decision-making schedule.
The Governing Committee will hold a conference call on November 22, 2021, to decide whether the North American Championship (23 – 29 January 2022) can be held. The decision will be published immediately after the meeting. This allows two months lead time for the regatta, both for the organizers and for those competitors who need to plan international travel.
Suppose the Governing Committee decides that the North American Championship cannot be held. In that case, we will plan to run another US-based Championship during the same period as the scheduled North American Championship. Canadian members might decide to run a Canadian regatta in the same period. A U.S. Championship and a Canadian Championship would be non-ranking events.
Some factors in the decision-making have to do with the risk of a COVID positive test and quarantine requirements before reentering Canada or the United States. Canadians still face some severe logistical and expense problems attending regattas.
If the conditions don’t improve, the North American Championship could not be held. It would fail the most basic measure of fairness to have a championship when it’s too great a burden for international competitors.
Please feel free to engage the Governing Committee if you have further questions. We are committed to offer racing this winter subject to constraints that might be imposed by COVID 19.
The DN is most popular iceboat in the world. Whether you are a racer or cruiser, your $25 membership in the IDNIYRA helps to promote the art and skill of DN ice yacht construction and the sport of ice yachting on all the hard waters of the world.
