Ice Optimists

Iceboats Designed for Kids.
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Affordable

Designed to be easy to build using commonly available materials, to keep costs to a minimum.

Fun For Kids

Uses standard Optimist dinghy sail plan, so youth sailors can use much of the same equipment in summer and winter.

About the Ice Optimist

About the Ice Optimist

It was created specifically as a youth trainer. It was designed to be easy to build using commonly available materials, to keep costs to a minimum. It uses a standard Optimist dinghy sail plan (hence the name), so youth sailors can use much of the same equipment in summer and winter, if they sail/race in both seasons.
An Ice Optimist is a smaller, less powerful boat than a DN. It is about two feet shorter in length, has a narrower plank, has less sail area, is easier to build, is far less costly, and is generally sailed in a bit more comfortable upright position. A DN is no longer an “entry level” ice boat that is well-suited for kids. Although technology advancements have made modern DN’s easier to sail than their predecessors, they are also faster and far more expensive–two factors that really make them less appropriate as a youth trainer. An Ice Optimist provides performance and stability that are a better match for the experience level and self confidence of most “green fleeters.”
An Ice Optimist can be built for about $1,000; the majority of the cost being accounted for by the sail plan ($500 used) and the runners ($300 used). By contrast, a modern DN can easily exceed $7,000. Building an Ice Optimist requires no special tools. Many are built with straight sideboards eliminating the need for bending/re-gluing or complex angle cuts.
If you’d rather buy one, check the Buy & Sell page of this website. Commercial iceboat builders such as Composite Concepts and Williams Infusion offer complete packages or components.
Ice Optimists can be sailed on smaller sheets of ice than other ice boats. Small lakes and even larger ponds can be quite suitable. They should always be sailed under tight supervision by adults. The 4LIYC will be hosting youth races over the lunch breaks during weekend club races and other youth training opportunities, such as dry land discussions/parties, are being planned.
Ice boating is safe for kids as long as proper safety precautions are followed. Under no circumstances should kids be ice boating alone or without close adult supervision. Kids should never be sailing on thin ice or near open water. Proper safety gear is mandatory: a helmet, goggles, ice creepers, ice picks, a life jacket, a whistle, warm clothing. The North American Ice Opti Racing Association requires that all Junior sailors wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket at ALL times while on the ice whether racing or not. The Iceboat Safety page has tips for gear and keeping safe on the ice.
Contact Ron Rosten in Madison, WI, the North American Ice Optimist Program Director. He’d be glad to, give you building plans and construction tips, point you to sources for materials/parts, discuss the clubs approach to teaching juniors, etc. Email Ron Rosten

Latest Ice Optimist News

Our Summer Vacations: Simons Victorious in X Boat Regatta

by | Jul 31, 2017 | , , | 0 Comments


Congratulations to 4LIYC Ice Optimist sailors Fritz and Meta Simon for their win in the junior division of the Inland Lakes Yachting Association X Boat regatta sailed on Delavan Lake. In a field of 67 boats, that’s an impressive performance. Results here.

Fritz Simon and Dad Greg on Lake Kegonsa last season.

Meta Simon checks her Ice Opti runner on Lake Kegonsa in January 2017.

DN Sailor Selected for Sweden’s America’s Cup Youth Racing Team

by | May 25, 2017 | , , | 0 Comments

Photo: Gretchen Dorian

Sweden’s Eddie Klemets has become the first ice sailor to make inroads in the America’s Cup program. He has been selected for the Artemis Youth Racing Team. Eddie’s most recent DN titles include winning the 2017 DN Junior Worlds and European championship. America’s Cup Youth Racing’s mission is “to provide an unprecedented career path by identifying the world’s top young sailors and helping to prepare them for the challenge of America’s Cup racing.” Racing begins in June. Learn more on the America’s Cup Youth Sailing website.

4LIYC Ice Optimist sailor, Thor Rosten, and Eddie Klemets at the 2017 DN & Ice Optimist Worlds in Poland.

2017 North American Championship Ice Optimist Notice of Race

by | May 24, 2017 | | 0 Comments

2017 North American Ice Optimist Championship
Friday, January 20, 2017 – Practice Day
Saturday, January 21 and Sunday, January 22, 2017 – Racing Days
The Regatta will be held at the site of the DN Worlds in the North American Western Region and will take place at the location and will take place at the location with the best ice conditions in the region. (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, or Iowa.)

This will be a fun oriented event with no prior racing experience required.
Awards shall be given to the yachts placing first through fifth.
Entry fee is $20 per yacht.
Contact Ron Rosten at ron.rosten AT gmail.com

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Sam Bartel, an active DN class sailor and Director of Race Operations at the Lake Minnetonka Sailing School has stepped forward to take the reins of the DN Junior Ice Optimist program. 
Learn more about Sam and junior iceboating by visiting the IDNIYRA website. 
IDNIYRA DN Junior & Ice Optimist Page