WISCONSIN
STERN STEERERS ASSOCIATION
NEWS AND INFORMATION
January 22, 2012
WSSA Regatta Postponed
Via WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton, "Via WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton, "The WSSA has been postponed to Feb 4 and 5. Check back on Sunday, Jan 29, for further updates. We need more ice thickness."
December 11, 2011
2012 WSSA News
Your 2012 WSSA Newsletter is now posted online.
W.S.S.A.-2012 REGATTA NOTICE
Wisconsin Stern Steering Association’s Annual Championship is scheduled for January 7 and 8, 2012 as a two-day regatta. Regatta information will be available by Sunday evening, January 1, 2012. Call the 4 Lakes/WSSA Hot Line, 608-204-9876 Ext. 4 or see www.iceboat.org for ice conditions and tentative regatta sites. Final confirmation will be on Thursday, January 5, 2012, with information being available after 12:00 noon at the above Hot Line number. The regatta is tentatively rescheduled for the following weekend if conditions do not exist so stay in touch. The N.I.Y.A. regatta is scheduled for January 20, 21, and 22. It will take priority at that time.
We could use some people to volunteer to be on the Race Committee for this regatta. Many thanks to those that can do so.
March 22, 2011
2011 WSSA Canceled
Via WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton, "All right, we'll give up looking for ice though there was racing in Menominee this past weekend. The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association annual Regatta for 2011 has been cancelled. This is the time now to fix all those nagging tasks on your boat so it will be in top shape for next December. Have fun sailing in the soft ice this summer.."
January 20, 2011
So What Now?
Via Todd Knopp: "With the regattas in postponement, it is time to take care of those pesky manufacture recalls. So it was unload,flip over the hull, and get the electric planer out. Bill said this should do the trick. Good thing we had the extended warranty!"
January 19, 2011
The Ice Piles of Winnebago
Via WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton, :Here are some photos of this past Saturday's excursion. Matt Critchley and I sailed from Oshkosh to Fond du Lac to see the ice piles in the lake and along the shore. We climbed some piles that were higher than my mast - 26'. It's a good thing we don't have to cross these shoves!"
January 18, 2011
Judy Davis
Via WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton, "I received notice that fellow iceboater John Davis's wife, Judy, died suddenly yesterday. John sails the D stern steerer 'Little Wind'. Their two sons, Jeff and Jay, sail the C stern steerer 'Flirt'. The three of them rarely miss a regatta even though they have a long drive. Judy would sometimes make the trip with them. John can be reached at 3107 5th St, Emmetsburg, IA, 50536. An obituary will be in the Oshkosh Northwestern paper in a day or two."
Service: 10:30 a.m., Friday, January 21st at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Emmetsburg.
Burial will be at Lake View Memorial Park in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
Visitation: The family will greet friends from 4 – 8 p.m., Thursday at the Joyce Funeral Home.
December 2, 2010
2010-2011 WSSA Newsletter
Now Posted
WSSA-2011 REGATTA NOTICE
Wisconsin Stern Steering Association’s Annual Championship is scheduled for January 15 and 16, 2011 as a two-day regatta. Regatta information will be available after 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 9, 2011.
Call the 4 Lakes/WSSA Hot Line, 608-204-9876 Ext. 5 or www.iceboat.org for ice conditions and tentative regatta sites. Final confirmation will be on Thursday, January 13, 2011, with information being available after 12:00 noon at the above Hot Line number.
The regatta is tentatively rescheduled for the following weekend if conditions do not exist, but the N.I.Y.A. regatta will take priority, so stay in touch.
Attention, Attention, Attention! We could use some people to volunteer to be on the Race Committee for this regatta. Many thanks to those that can do so.
Hearst & Stuart Cup Series
The William Randolph Hearst Cup and the F.A. Stuart Cup Series is tentatively scheduled for January 28, 29, and 30, 2011.
This will be the first of typically a two-weekend event. This is a Class A stern steerer event that is independent from and generally not sailed as part of any other regatta. Stay in touch - if conditions do not exist this series will tentatively be re-scheduled for the following weekend.
The N.I.Y.A. annual regatta will take priority. Please return the Official Entry form (obtained from the WSSA Secretary) by Friday, January 21, 2011.
Information will be available after 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2011, from any of the following:
Rick Hennig, Dave Lallier, Erik Sawyer.
March 18, 2010
WSSA Regatta News
Via WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton: "The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association annual regatta for 2010 has been postponed to December 2010. There will be a short delay due to the 'slow' sailing season being forced on us before we can expect hard water again. If we get so lucky that conditions form in December for our entire fleet to sail, then the regatta may be called on. Keep those runners sharp!"
February 18, 2010
1980s Katzenjammer on Geneva
Via Todd Knopp: Here are photos from the early 1980s on Lake Geneva with Katzenjammer perfecting hiking techniques. The leg hanging over the basket belongs to Rick [Hennig], he was the main sheet trimmer. The outcome was all the way over but she was righted and sailed the remainder of the day. I remember Jane Pegel just shaking her head.
January 25, 2010
Cabbage Patch News: Deuce Runners
Via Todd Knopp: "With rain falling outside and the snow melting, the time has come to finish the new runners. With great luck we were able to procure the last runner sharpening fixture from ACME © Runner Company before they went out of business. Rick had the 12" plate grinder all heated up and sparks were flying. The runners were aligned with the Align-O-Matic transit with the runner’s track sighted fifty feet across the building and having a 3/16th variance in fifty feet, so we've got some fine tuning to do. Time to load and strap her down. See ya on the ice.
Comparison of the new runners and Fritz runner.
January 7, 2010
Cabbage Patch News
Via Todd Knop: "Well the Deuce got a new runner kit for Christmas from the Franksville True Value (Some assembly required). Keith looks at the port runner will Rick works on the assembly. Oh, I forgot to mention, some special tools are required."
December 31, 2009
Christmas at the 'Patch
Via Todd Knop: "Christmas at the Cabbage Patch has brought the completion of the Rum Runner 2. Bill Mattison was in town to see the family, so he stopped out to give lessons to the 'Patch on foam carbon mast construction (more to follow on that topic as soon as the class gets out of detention). Rumor has it that Rick was a good boy and got a new set of runners for the Deuce, but they have yet to be seen.
December 26, 2009
The LaCinda Mae started out, I believe, as an Evenrude B class converted to a D class with a Skeeter rig. The boat was freshened up this fall and is shown on Lake Petenwell on 4-5" of rough ice.
Shown here with 15 year old Calen Terry, the LaCinda Mae is ready for the ice. The the boat is now owned by Joe Terry of Lake Dubay. The Pewaukee sailors may remember this boat as Wanton. After a significant encounter with some shell ice by a heave last week, the boat experienced hull failure and is currently being repaired. With any luck, it will be able to compete at the Wisconsin Stern Steering Association events.
December 21, 2009
"Behind the 8 Cabbage"
Via Todd Knop:"With boats sailing, the Patch has the gotten behind. The Deuce is ready for deployment, so the rush is on to get the Rum Runner Two complete. Tom, Kenny, Rick and Keith get the primer and finish color on. Tonight the second color goes on with the project coming to completion soon."
December 4, 2009
"Area 311 Skunk Works"
From an anonymous source:
"
Special Report: Eric Sawyer was spotted at the Cabbage patch going through the wood pile, The material is for a secret stern steerer project said to be nearing completion at the fabled Area U311 Skunk works in the Green Bay area."
December 2, 2009
2010 Hearst & Stuart Update
Entry Form
From Rick Hennig:
"Dear A-Boat Owners:
Please get your boats ready. We are giving notice that we are calling on the F.A. Stuart International Ice Yacht Regatta. The time is the first possible, safe ice. The location is anywhere in the Midwest. We will start with the Stuart. At the completion, the William Randolph Hearst International Ice Yacht Regatta will follow. Please get registration forms from WSSA secretary, Andy Gratton, or click here for entry form. Please look for the regatta information on the 4LIYC website, www.iceboat.org. See you out there.
Trustee, Rick Hennig"
2009-2010 WSSA Newsletter
Now Posted
2010 Regatta Notices
Heart & Stuart
The William Randolph Hearst Cup and the F.A. Stuart Cup Series is tentatively scheduled for January 22, 23, and 24, 2010. This will be the first of typically a two-weekend event. This is a Class A stern steerer event that is independent from and generally not sailed as part of any other regatta. Stay in touch because if conditions do not exist this series will tentatively be rescheduled for the following weekend. The N.I.Y.A. annual regatta will take priority. Please return the Official Entry form (obtained from the WSSA Secretary) by Friday, January 22, 2010. Information will be available after 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 17, 2010 on the Four Lakes/WSSA Hot Line number, 608-204-9876 Ext. 5
WSSA
W.S.S.A.-2010 REGATTA NOTICE
Wisconsin Stern Steering Association’s Annual Championship is scheduled for January 9 and 10, 2010 as a two-day regatta. Regatta information will be available after 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 3, 2010. Call the 4 Lakes/WSSA Hot Line, 608-204-9876 Ext. 5 or www.iceboat.org for ice conditions and tentative regatta sites. Final confirmation will be on Thursday, January 7, 2010, with information being available after 12:00 noon at the above Hot Line number. The regatta is tentatively rescheduled for the following weekend if conditions do not exist, but the N.I.Y.A. regatta will take priority, so stay in touch.
Attention, Attention, Attention! We could use some people to volunteer to be on the Race Committee for this regatta. Many thanks to those that can do so.
December 8, 2009
Cabbage Patch News
Via Todd Knop:"Wel,l another productive weekend at the Patch. Keith and Rick finish preparations for the arrival of Bill Mattson this week who is coming to work on a couple of foam carbon spars for the Skeeters. The repairs on the B-Skeeter have moved to the primer stage with Rick and Richie getting a good coat on. With ice in Minnesota, it is time to finish these last minute details.
December 1, 2009
Cabbage Patch News
Via Todd Knop: "The work continues on the Gee Eee with Rick and his son, Richie, sanding and epoxy coating the complete boat. Primer should be applied before the weekend. On another note the 'Patch got new lighting installed. With an overstock at the Franksville True Value, twenty six high efficiency fluorescents lights replaced the existing whale oil lamps and candles. With the new lighting even the old guys at the 'Patch can see what they’re doing.
October 25, 2009
Keepin' Busy at the Cabbage Patch
Via Todd Knop:
The Cabbage Patch has been doing some fall house cleaning with the repairs of Bullet and Rum Runner 2.
Both suffered from inverted hiking which created weakness, cracks and holes in the runner planks, hulls, and masts.
During the repairs on Rum Runner its past history came to light. The original name Gee Eee was discovered and as a former cover girl on Natalie Levy’s book, she will be ready to take the ice again this winter.
After these repairs are complete the 'Patch will start on the refurbishment of Honey Bucket IV. This will get Team Honey Bucket up to three, IV, V, and VII.
March 7, 2009
Ole Evinrude's Ice Boats
UPDATE: See new photos below
Count the stern steerers
Ole Evinrude, inventor of the first reliable outboard boat motor, also built and sold stern-steerers in his factory for a brief time during the 1920s in Wisconsin.
The only reference I've been able to find online to Evinrude ice boats is from the Rudder Magazine of February 1922. Evinrude exhibited an ice boat at the New York Power Boat Show that year. (Enter the search term "ice boat" on this link, quite a bit about ice boats in this magazine.)
The caption in the magazine reads "Evinrude Motor Company: A novelty will be a fully rigged Class F ice boat." Intrestingly enough, here's another photo with an "F" on the sail. Thanks to Mike Peters for the photos.
UPDATE: Mark Weiner writes: "Saw the photo's from Mike Peters of the old Evinrudes posted. I though you might like some photos of an old Evinrude ( or at least parts of one) as it exists today. The boat is "Spindler". Acquired about ten years ago and refurbished by Dan Tess and Mark Wiener. Home port of Fond du Lac. As you can see by the photos some parts have been rebuilt through the years, but there are may signs of the old boat still there. The most obvious is the tail block. The runners, and the plugged holes in the plank for the saddle brackets. The mast is now a banana, but the sail cut looks much the same, and is still cotton. We are still doing work on her each year to make her sail better, but we do intend to keep her looking as original as possible. Where ever we set up, Spindler seems to be a crowd pleaser and a calling card for the sport. We do sail the "B class" with the WSSA when ever possible. We are not the most competitive boat in the fleet, but we would like to see many of the old boats come out and sail with us. If we could get enough old boats on the ice we could start a cotton sail division. The photos enclosed were taken during a Spring rigging improvement day a few years ago."
February 23, 2009
WSSA Regatta Report
Photo Credits: Cindy O’Neil
Via Erich Schloemer:
"
The WSSA completed their annual Championship this past weekend on Geneva Lake.
In the D Fleet, Marv Luck in ‘Lady Luck’ and Andy Gratton in ‘Rosemary’ tied on points and Andy won the tie breaker.
In the C fleet, Pete McCormick in ‘Twin Beds’ & Jeff & Sarah Seeboth in ‘Miss Mischief’ tied on points and Jeff won the tie breaker.
The B fleet was won by Mark Wiener in ‘Spindler’.
In the A fleet, Chip, Rich & Eric Sawyer in ‘Michigander’ were Second and Erich Schloemer & Matt Critchley in ‘Taku’ were first.
The overall standings were:
Marv Luck 5th, Andy Gratton 4th, Jeff & Sarah Seeboth 3rd, Pete McCormick 2nd, Erich Schloemer and Matt Critchley 1st.
The overall trophy that was awarded was recently refurbished and donated by Mike Peters of Oshkosh.
The Evening Wisconsin Trophy (for Second class Iceboats on Lake Winnebago) is a beautiful trophy and a great piece of history that dates back to 1900 and even features a sterling silver stern steerer on the lid. It was first won by ‘Flirt’ & the ‘Annie R’ in 1900. Many of familiar names in the history of the stern steerer fleet are represented on this trophy over the years. It is interesting to note that the ‘Taku’ was owned by Mike Peters father years ago but under the name ‘Maybid’ and she won this same trophy back in 1953. So, 56 years later she gets to bring it home again.
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January 22, 2008
The Deuce Team Readies for Strictly Sail Show
Harken, Mattison, & Melges at Strictly Sail in Chicago
Presentation on Saturday, January 31, at 10:00
Rick Hennig
Via Todd Knop: "Here are a few pictures of Team Deuce getting the ready for the Strictly Sail show. The mast has been repaired after being broken last year and is having the hardware and rigging reinstalled. Jessie has been hard at work polishing the craft under close supervision of Tom Bennett. Rick installs the Mast Head hardware. See you at the show."
January 3, 2009
WSSA Newsletter
The WSSA Newsletter is now posted.
December 13 2007
Sighting
Via Todd Knopp: Eric Sawyer was seen doing the final cutting of bulkheads getting ready for glue up of the cage. Jessie and Eric work on the third cockpit for the new Michigander.
November 30, 2007
Rumors Confirmed!
The rumored Michigander is now fact and not fiction. Chip and Eric stopped by and wood was selected, sawed, and now two side boards are glued up. The designer (Felix) is now expected to stop by soon to make sure the progress is up to specification.
Side board #2 glue up and clamping
Wood that was not selected for the side boards.
Jessie applying clamps
Side board #2 glue up and clamping
November 6, 2007
UPDATE: Seen at the SIBC swap meet, fresh bulkheads (allegedly) for the new Michigander.
Internet Big Boat Rumor Disseminated
UPDATED
Received this mysterious email today from an iceboat.org operative who wishes to remain anonymous and undercover: "Rumor has it that Felix (Yaeso) has the bulkheads cut for the new Michigander, a new A-stern steerer patterned after Haywire. Rumored to be a 45 foot hull with three cockpits. Mated with the plank built recently and the new mast. It should be a formidable yacht."
Secret plans?
December 17, 2006
Cabbage Patch Update:
The Michigander Mast
December 19, 2006
In 2005, the Mike Peters family donated a trophy to the WSSA. The WSSA had the trophy completely restored and it will become the WSSA overall trophy.
