WESTPORT — During the summer sailboats are a common sight as they catch a breeze and bob in the blue waters of Lake Champlain.
However, white triangles are less common during the winter, and there might be several year intervals due to needing ideal conditions. This includes ice that is safe and covers a large area, but unlike driving conditions, smooth ice, also known as black ice, is preferable. Wind speed, much like in summer sailing, is also an essential component.
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On this particular day, a dozen or so craft could be seen zipping across the ice about a half mile from the DEC Boat Launch in Westport.
Andre Babq came down from Pointe-Claire, Quebec, to take advantage of the conditions.
“It’s been awhile since I sailed here. You have to have perfect ice. It’s a rare year that the ice freezes from five to 10 inches,” he said. “I am staying in Plattsburgh but came down here because the ice is good. I am a summer sailor, as well, and got hooked on ice sailing in 1987.”
Unlike the newer, lightweight craft, Ben Aldrich, of Westport, has a wooden hulled boat with canvas sails that was built in the 1930s.
“It’s one of a kind and has a large cockpit,” he said. “I grew up with ice boats as my dad was a member of the Hudson River Yacht Club.
“This boat is small compared to many antique boats, though it weighs 500 pounds. It can generally go 30 miles an hour, though the others reach speeds of 50 miles an hour.”
The history of the ice boat goes back centuries where, in Europe, they were utilized to haul cargo.
In addition to the sail, the craft uses steel runners, with more modern ones utilizing fiberglass hulls, though the older, more traditional ones feature wood. The runners are sharpened much like ice skates at a 45 degree angle and may melt a thin layer of ice as they cut the smooth surface.
The craft have different classifications. Several of the craft have a capital DN displayed on their sails. This popular class is so named due to the winner of a Detroit News design contest held in 1937. They are generally 12 feet long with a 16 foot mast.
There are also other designs, such as the Hudson River Ice Yacht.
Other boats may have letters such a KC, followed by a number, which designates it as a model similar to those initially produced in the Midwest.
Though originally controlled by a rear rudder, now a front runner controlled by foot pedals is utilized to steer the craft, which often attains speeds of over 50 mph. Safety is paramount with a helmet, goggles and protective clothing.
The price of iceboats varies from $1,000 for a basic DN model to $8,000, though larger craft, considered yachts, may cost $100,000 or more.
The first ice boats were introduced on New York state’s Hudson River in 1790 and soon became a sport. In the mid-19th century, ice yachting clubs had been formed as wealthy boat owners sailed large ice boats with up to seven crew members. Boats were as long as 69 feet and sailed as fast as 107 mph.