ICE SAILING AND THE DN 60

Iceboating is without question the fastest way to sail, and iceboat racing is a very exciting way to race. If you live where the lakes or ocean near you freezes, you can sail all year round. For many of us winter becomes the season we look forward to most.

There are a few common misconceptions about the sport. Many people think sailable ice only
occurs once in a while. When the lake you see every day still has ducks on it or is under a foot or snow, you can often find another pond, lake or bay in your area that has sailable ice. In many areas you can sail on half to three quarters of the winter weekends. Portability of the boat is important.

People often wonder if it is possible to be warm on a windy, 20 degree day. We sail in temperatures down to about zero degrees Fahrenheit. Being warm at these temperatures in apparent winds as high as 60 mph is just a matter of dressing for it.

The sport is safe if you know what you are doing and are careful. There are lots of ways to get hurt in any craft that is capable of 60+ mph. When people get in trouble, it is usually because they don't follow the safety rules.

Ice comes in many forms, some if which are very safe and some very dangerous. Iceboating safely requires understanding of ice conditions, sailing skill and good judgment. Sailing with experienced sailors is usually the best way to learn.

There are a few commercially produced boats and several types you can build yourself. For most people, the best answer is to build or buy a DN. It is by far the most popular and widely raced boat world wide.

Some people think they need a two man boat. If you are primarily interested in taking friends for
rides, a two man boat may be a good choice. If you are more interested in sailing, build a side car for your DN for those times you want to give someone a ride.

If you are thinking of sharing a two man boat, consider building two DNs instead. It will cost about the same. In anything other than heavy wind, a two man boat is faster with only one person in it and will tend to get sailed solo.

The DN was designed in 1936 to be easy to build, light enough to be easily transported, iceworthy and inexpensive. The modern DN still meets these tenants although it has evolved considerably over the last 50 years. The cost to build one has evolved to, from about $25 in 1937 to about $1800 now. It takes most home builders a month of part time work to build a DN.

To see the DN60 Plans Click Here

The DN gets its name from the Detroit News newspaper. In 1937 the newspaper donated their
wood shop to build the first fleet of 15 DNs. Some of them are still sailing today.
 

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