Ice Yachting

Winter is a time when many bodies of water are frozen over with ice. Even the ice cannot stop true boating enthusiasts, though.

The winter activities enjoyed by member of the New Hamburg Ice Yacht Club of Poughkeepsie, NY represent one of those slices of history that kind of gets buried and overlooked, but it offers an interesting glimpse into boating activities of the past.

Although ice yacht racing itself was something that was limited to the well-to-do and adventurous boat owners in the 19th century, people of all walks of life were able to watch the activity from the shore. Boat owners with large boats would sometimes pay people one dollar to help out as ballasts.

The club’s activities declined in part because freighters and other ships got bulky enough to break up the ice on the river. Another reason for the decline was the outbreak of World War II, a time when many boaters had to leave home to fight. However, decline did not mean demise; the club is still in existence to this day.

Even if you do not feel daring enough to go ice yachting, you can be glad to know that when you buy a yacht, you can use it no matter what the season.