DRIFTER Archives
C Skeeter Archives
Pat Heppert’s seeing double and working like a madman up in MN to get ready for the season.
Best ISA rule ever: “ 5.4 Each yacht shall carry on both sides of her hull a name, of the owner’s selection, in letters not less than 3” high, in a color contrasting to that of the hull side.” It’s an official rule, not a suggestion. But how do you go about picking a name? A proper yacht would bear the name of the owner’s spouse (like the Mary B), but these modern ice missiles are far from proper yachts, I don’t think they even float. Some pick a clever play on words relating to the cold winter (Icicle, Ice Scream, Frozen Asset). Others incorporate the boat design name (Nite Flight, Good Nite, Whizz kid, Wizzard, Cheese Whizz). Some have admitted their personality in their boat name (Instigator, Notorious, Rebel). Still others name it after their favorite things in life (see Ken Kreider).
So what’s with this total lack of creativity to pick a new name for the new boat. It turns out, I don’t have a choice anymore. A while ago, when in high school, I was sailing a DN that was super fun, but when it hit a snow drift, it seemed to either just stop, or hike up, or get kind of airborne. Meanwhile, Dad was right next me in his 700 lb Class E skeeter, and he would go right through the drift which would just absolutely explode into a spectacular white cloud of powder, and keep rumbling down the ice without any loss of speed.
So when we built my Renegade a couple years later, we had to pick a name. I thought “Drifter” because I wanted to blast through snow drifts just like Dad. Fast forward a few decades and the name kind of stuck. Every winter it seems like I am approached by multiple people who don’t really know my name, but instead ask me “Are you the Drifter?”. So I have finally come to terms with the fact that indeed I have no choice, it turns out that I am the Drifter.
Pat Heppert
C-Skeeter “Drifter” I-291
International Skeeter Association (ISA) Secretary Steve Schalk has released the 2022 ISA Championship Notice of Race and Notice of Dues. Download the dues form and send it to the address provided.
DOWNLOAD IN A PDF FILE
10/2021
All races will be sailed under the rules of the National Iceboat Authority and those of the International Skeeter Association (ISA).
Date: The Regatta will be held on January 7, 8, & 9, 2022.
Race Schedule:
Postponement:
Location: Possible locations, in order of preference, are: East Division, Green Lake, Lake Geneva, Madison, Green Bay.
Entries:
Registration:
Sailing Instructions: Will be available on the ISA website and at the time of Registration. Awards will be given according to Part II Section 3 of The International Skeeter Association Constitution, By-Laws and Racing Rules
Delavan, WI
Two seater Nite Ice Boat, sail # 252 (1983), located in Delavan, WI.
Rarely sailed. Stored indoors. Sail, mast, boom, and runners.
$3500.00
Contact:
acker.debra@gmail.com
Hobby DN Iceboat
(2) sets of runners, Hard Ice (Steel) and “Slush” wood runners- Angle Irons
Wooden Mast
Wooden Boom
Boston Sail, no holes or windows
Wooden Plank, Aluminum Chocks
Wooden Hull, vintage 70’s, fair to good shape
Stainless hardware for the most part, Halyards, Harken blocks and pulleys
Complete boat ready for some minor paint work to sail or use as-is
$550 or offer, West Michigan near Grand Rapids
“Hobby” listed because you won’t win any worlds with it but you CAN have a lot of fun for little money!
(616)745-4502
National Iceboat Authority Web Page
Location: Online using the Zoom App Members please email debwhitehorse@iceboat.org for the link.
Time: 6:30 PM
YOU ARE SKIPPER NUMBER
TO ROUND THE MARK SINCE NOVEMBER 1999.
