Jeff Davis
Jeff, Carter, and Jay Davis.
The iceboating community lost one of our most avid stern-steerer sailors, Jeff Davis, on November 18. Our deepest condolences to the Davis family. They always make the effort to attend regattas. Jeff will be missed. His funeral will be held on Saturday, November 25 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. Read his obituary here.
Andy Gratton writes:
I am sorry to report that one of our younger stern-steerer members, Jeff Davis, 42, lost the battle with cancer on November 18. He and his brother Jay restored and sailed the C boat “Flirt” for the last couple decades. Prior to that they both raced DNs. Jeff loved being on the ice and made many trips from Iowa with his brother and his dad, John, to sail regattas with us. He was looking forward to being well enough to attend the 2018 Northwest and to bring his son for the first time. He will be missed.
Wish You Were Here: Vintage Iceboat Postcards from Madison
A new summer series begins today featuring the original “Short Message Service”, vintage postcards from around the world. Let’s start right here in the Four Lakes area of Madison, Wisconsin with these five postcards.
Bernard’s Fleet recalls the time when the Bernard family kept a rental fleet of Stern Steerers on Lake Mendota. “Princess” World International Racer was a famous Stern Steerer built by William Bernard for Emil Fauerbach (Peter Fauerbach’s great great uncle).
I’ll post more in the coming weeks. If you have any to share, please let me know.
How To Race a Stern Steerer Iceboat
Here’s another video from the Wisconsin Stern Steerer regatta by Joe Terry where he provides a running commentary during race four. This one is definitely worth your while!
2015 WSSA Regatta Video – With Bonus Footage
George Gerhardt shot some leeward mark rounding videos at the recent Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association regatta. This is the compilation with added bonus footage of Rosemary from the 1992 Northwest regatta. I needed another clip to fill out the soundtrack and it dropped in the timeline perfectly. Andy Gratton is sailing Rosemary in both videos. Read his story about the day in 1992 when Rosemary tipped over here.
2015 WSSA Regatta Photos from George Gerhardt
2015 WSSA Regatta Photos from Jeff Russell
The DEUCE: “Nothing But Power”
Video shot and edited by Dave Elsmo that’s gone viral and been featured on the major sailing websites.
The Mighty DEUCE
DEUCE Rounds Leeward
Feel the power! Here’s a quick clip of the DEUCE rounding the leeward mark.
Stern Steerer Cruise on Lake Petenwell
Joe Terry, Andy Gratton, and Mike Kroll powering through the snow drifts as only stern steerers can do on Lake Petenwell in central Wisconsin on January 4, 2015.
1968 USSR Championship
Via WSSA Secretary/Treasurer Andy Gratton alerts us to this really interesting Youtube video: “Matt Critchley found this video. Wing-sails on stern steerers, all they need is a bubble canopy. I don’t even see any wires on these boats. Everyone should see these boats.”
WISCONSIN ICE BOATING HOTLINE 608-204-9876
WSSA DUES
W.S.S.A. dues are $20.00 and can be mailed to Andy Gratton at the following address:
W.S.S.A.
c/o Andy Gratton, Secretary/Treasure
2102 Doty Street
Oshkosh, WI. 54902
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