Number on the sail?

[gerthal]

Hi,

I am brand new to ice boating and have just bought my first DN. It is a two-seater. The previous owner told me he thought the boat was from the 1970's. The number on the sail is "1237." Does this number have any significance?

Thanks.

Al

[Bob Rast DN1313]

1237 was probably a late 60s or early 70s number.Just a used sail with number still on it  I had 1230 back in 1968 today we are past 5000 but a lot of numbers aren't in use or registered for racing. The secretary might be able to find original owner but DNs are 1 seaters.

Bob Rast
DN1313

[Geoff Sobering]

Al,

1237 was registered to a sailor in upstate NY. Sorry, I don't know when it was first assigned, but I think Bob's estimate is about right.
I would guess that you have a "Gambit" which was a DN derivative that was developed in the east.
It may be that the sail was purchased used and the new owner never removed the old number.

Cheers,

Geoff Sobering
IDNIYRA-NA Treasurer

[gerthal]

Thank you for the information. Is there any way to find out the person's name? I'd like to learn the history of the boat. Here is a picture of the boat as it currently looks. I may strip off the paint and keep it natural wood.

[DN 805]

You are overlooking the fact that you have NOT purchased a DN.  It is merely an iceboat that is using a DN sail, likely purchased used from a DN sailor.

The DN Class organization issues a sail number to an individual member, not to an individual boat.   A search for the history of the sail number will not reveal the history of the boat.   This is particularly true of the boat you have purchased, which is NOT a DN class iceboat.

How do we know it is NOT a DN?   1)  It has a springboard.  2) It is wide enough to accommodate two people.  DN iceboats have neither of these two features.

All the above information should not deter from you enjoying sailing the boat.   Best wishes for smooth ice and fair winds.