Definition of an Iceboat

 As we lament the lack of ice and a proper winter, let's not forget the definition of an Iceboat: 

Tip of the hat to Henry Bossett, who found the quote.  

 

 

 Photo courtesy of Henry Bossett  -- above & below 

Finally, Ice! Sacandaga Lake 2-11-23

 Sacandaga is actually a reservoir in the southeastern foothills of the Adirondacks, and a fleet of 'A' boats traveled to this big ice for the first time.  Sacandaga is typically snow covered, but this winter's lack of snow gave a small window to sail for a weekend.  The Lawrence's set up Whirlwind and Ice Queen;  Reid assembled Vixen & Brett got the old Wrigley boat Genevieve rigged and sailing. There were also a variety of bow steerers, DNs, an arrow, a few skeeters.  Saturday provided gusty winds and all the assembled got in some great sailing, according to reports. One scrub race took place between the Red Bank Boats and several boats from The HRIYC.  Red Bank skippers piloted  Ruth, Georgie II, and Ymir.  Gusty winds led to a few tricky moments. Georgie ended up with a broken rail after a flicker & one of the Skeeters split its runner plank.  No one was hurt.   

                       Whirlwind set up Friday afternoon.                                 photo courtesy Rick Lawrence

      Ice Queen, Ruth, Georgie II                                                                                 Photo courtesy Bob Wills 

Vixen, waiting for a breeze on Sunday, which did not materialize....

Glen Burger snow kited across the lake & captured a few moments of Vixen sailing by: Vixen on Great Sacandaga       video courtesy Glen Burger.

Sunday brought a beautiful sunny day, alas with no wind. So after one glorious day the boats packed up & returned home.  Further sailing there does not look promising with upcoming warm temperatures. Will keep an eye on conditions as things may turn for the better.  Shout out to owner & friends of Lanzi's on the Lake for being generous hosts and use of their property for access.   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    photo courtesy Lisa Reid

 

"Making on an Iceboater"

from the Ray Ruge collection; Courtesy of the Hudson River Maritime Museum.

A History Blogpost from the Hudson River Maritime Museum:

https://www.hrmm.org/history-blog/the-making-of-an-iceboater   

This is a  reminiscence written by  Ray Ruge in the 1980s, about his early memories of iceboating - part of the Ray Ruge collection at HRMM.  Pretty cool to hear the experiences of one who lived through the transition from the old stern steerers and on to sailing the "new" bow steerers. Ray went on to be a champion racer through the '30s and '40s, and spearheaded reestablishing the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club.  He is reflecting back on the days like the above picture, of races at Lake Hopatgong, in 1939.

Read more about Ray  here.  

Courtesy of Hudson River Maritime Museum  

Ray was good friends with Captain Frank Drake. Some of their letters from the 1940s can be read here.  

Ray Ruge (2nd from right) in 1973, at the launching of the restored Jack Frost, on Orange Lake.

Lots more History Blogs on Iceboating at HRMM : 

https://www.hrmm.org/history-blog/spaldings-winter-sports-ice-boats-and-scooters-1917  

Happy Holidays 2022

 Happy Holidays! 

Wishing everyone smooth sailing in 2023!   Wheeee! 

some other holiday favorites...

From John A.Roosevelt's scrapbook 

Dust off Rudolphe...

More Glass slides - from Livingston Estate

 Some old glass slides courtesy of the Hudson River Maritime Museum, provide us with some new images of ice boating/ice motoring in the early 1900s.  I'm  still gathering more information on these, which were described as being acquired from "a reject pile at a house auction in the 1960s. "  Thank goodness for collectors/pack rats! 

These were noted as being from a Livingston estate, likely Charles Victor Livingston who lived in Ulster County, in a TuscanVilla-styled house on the shore, just south of where the Kingston-Rhinecliff Bridge now crosses.  Ricky Aldrich,  who knew Victor noted that he built both the ice yacht Rip Van Winkle and the 2 motorized ice yachts. Victor gave the Rip and another iceboat he built, Spider, to Ricky's father, in the 30s.

These first two are truly unique - a motorized ice yacht.  This is a one of a kind creation, likely circa 1910? George Buckhout was experimenting with a motorized ice boat around that time. Who knows if this ever had a chance to speed down the ice on the Hudson.  Those seats sure look comfortable!  

All images are  Courtesy of Hudson River Maritime Museum        HRMM

Clearly 2 different versions, Both bow steering;  Note the skeg that protects the front runner in first image.  

Rip Van Winkle is part of the Rokeby collection in Barrytown. It last sailed in March of 2014 off of Rokeby.  Early pictures of the Rip, and other Rokeby ice boats were subject of a previous post, Ice Yachts off Astor Point 

The Livingston slides collection has several earlier images of Rip. 

These appear to be taken on the ice just below Victor Livingston's house, on the west shore of the Hudson.

Ice Yachts  Prima,  Rip Van Winkle,  unknown.  early 1900s 

 Rip,   at Astor Point??

another unidentified ice yacht from Livingston collection. 

Rip Van Winkle (r) Aurora (L)  off Rokeby, March 2014.  (image courtesy Rueters news images)
 

Manhasset set up at Hudson Winter Walk

 Ice Yacht Manhasset was set up this past weekend for the annual "Winter Walk" festival in Hudson. It was the first full set up for Manhasset since its restoration. Rain in the afternoon and shifty winds in the evening prevented the main sail from being hoisted. She's a beauty. Always fun to talk to amazed festival attendees about the old yachts.  Lots of history to share about this 1906 George Buckhout built, gaff-rigger, double cock pit stern steerer.  Read about the restoration also.  

We hope to next get Manhasset onto the ice.  That would be its first time on the Hudson River! 

2 Pickup trucks with racks to bring all the pieces... 

Sorting out the rigging to step the mast.
Set up crew Chris, Dock, Reid, Sam, Bob & Frank.

                    Reid's Gin Pole was necessary to hoist the mast. 

                            Rains stopped just as the evening & event began.  

Happy Holidays!

2022 Annual Meeting of Hudson River Ice Yacht Club

 Join us for the Annual Meeting of the

                 Hudson River Ice Yacht Club 

Sunday, December 4, 2022

2:00 – 5:00 pm

Hudson Hall

327 Warren Street, Hudson, N.Y.

Join us for our Annual Meeting & Pot Luck; And, stop by to see a display of Ice Yacht Manhasset, a few blocks away at Olde Hudson, 449 Warren Street.

 

Pot Luck : Bring a covered dish, drink or dessert to share

Meeting at 3:30 pm

Election of Officers to take place – 

Note:  current Commodore (Bob Wills) and Treasurer (John Sperr) will be stepping down this year.   

Club dues ($25) are due