Great South Bay Ice Scooters
While often mistaken for ice boating, ice scootering is a distinct and deeply local tradition. Ice boating originated in 17th-century Europe, particularly on the frozen Baltic Sea and the canals of the Netherlands, where sailors adapted their vessels for winter by affixing metal runners to the hulls—essentially transforming boats into wind-powered sleds. The concept eventually crossed the Atlantic and flourished along New York’s Hudson River, where it gained popularity among elite families, including that of Franklin D. Roosevelt. FDR himself was an enthusiast, and his uncle, John Roosevelt, served as the first commodore of the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club.
An ice boat resembles a sailboat balanced on three oversized ice skates. Its long, narrow hull is elevated above the ice on a sturdy wooden or metal frame, supported by two parallel runners at the rear and a single steerable runner at the front. When the wind fills its sail, the vessel skims across the ice at exhilarating speeds, combining the thrill of sailing with the rush of gliding.
The origins of the ice scooter trace back to members of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, who needed a dependable way to reach supply points when ice sealed the bays. At first, they relied on small duck punties—flat-bottomed boats that could be pushed across the ice with poles and launched into open water where the ice gave way. Soon, they realized that wind could propel them more efficiently. By adding sails and runners, they sparked an innovation that led to the birth of the modern ice scooter.
As the design evolved, innovators like Wilbur R. Corwin, Newton Monger, Albert Latham, and Henry Watkins introduced refinements such as rockered runners, improved jib sails, and even swivel booms. Designer William Harless later reflected, “The day Al [Latham] swiveled the jib boom, the scooter came of age.”
The resulting craft was a lightweight, elliptical-shaped vessel, traditionally built from pine or cedar, designed to glide smoothly over frozen surfaces. Measuring between 12 and 16 feet long and 3 to 4 feet wide, it featured a shallow hold and a curved underbody and deck, with a slightly pointed nose and stern to complete its oval silhouette. A square opening in the center of the deck housed the steersman, with just enough room for one additional passenger. For traction and stability, brass- or steel-shod runners were mounted beneath the hull. A mast—placed about one-third of the way back from the bow—supported a large mainsail and a prominent jib, forming a gaff-rigged sloop that delivered both speed and maneuverability. Despite their performance, these scooters had no rudder. Instead, they were steered using a combination of jib adjustment, sail trim, and body weight, allowing precise control across treacherous terrain and smooth transitions between ice and water.