Class History

Iceboating
With speeds hitting 50-100+ mph and your body suspended mere inches over the ice, iceboating is the fastest winter sport and one of the most intense sailing experiences there is. Speed generates more speed in iceboats—while "soft water" yachts eventually succumb to hull drag, nearly frictionless iceboats can use apparent wind to reach speeds 2 to 4 times the true wind.

The DN Iceboat
The DN, the smallest iceboat at 12 feet but the largest class, was first crafted by enthusiasts in the Detroit News' wood shop after it won the paper's 1936 design contest. Most of the 2000 members of the class build their own DN's, lending the boats to significant experimentation within the rules.

Boat Specifications

Sail area: 60 sq. ft (5.5 sq. m)
Length: 12 ft (3.6 )
Hull width: 21 in (53 cm)
Mast length: 16 ft (4.8 m)
Runner plank length: 8 ft (2.4 m)Number of runners: 3 (1 front steering runner, 2 side runners)
Hull: wood
eight: 100-150 lb (43- 68 lb)
Maximum speed: 60 MPH
Typical performance: 2-4 times wind speed