12' Lodge &amp

DN Iceboat.
It’s been my goal for many years to get back into an iceboat. My initial build back in college was a 2×4 and plywood HomeDepot affair that made it as far as the other side of the cove but never came back.
A DN is an obvious choice – Fast, light, simple, and beautiful in all the right places. There’s a reason that this is the most popular iceboat in the world. I considered building my own but when I came across this boat it made much more sense to start with this one. She was built by Rich Crucet, who built many competitive and successful DNs and – this was his personal boat. The two images with sail #500 are with him at the controls, no doubt winning another race. She’s built of fine mahogany and unobtanium (Sitka Spruce). With a beautiful tiller, likely fashioned by shipwright Chris Hale.
I took her out on Quaboag Pond in Massachusetts earlier this month – what a ride! Do check out the link to the ‘onboard’ video, with sound on.
Fun facts –
1) We’re less than 10 years from the centennial anniversary of this boat and the class is still going really strong.
2) Much of today’s composite West System technology was driven by the passion of Jan and Meade Gougeon – accomplished and driven DN sailors that developed the West System as a means to win races.
3) She’s likely the fastest boat in the show (excepting perhaps some of the unlimited hydroplanes!