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Passing of a great DN'er: Skip Boston

Submitted by GeoffS on August 16, 2005 - 12:34.

Skip Boston, DN US 150, passed away during the night of August 15, 2005.

From Paul Goodwin on the IDNIYRA Website:

    Passing of a great DN'er

    This is a great loss to the DN class and iceboating in general, as Skip has been a stronghold in the DN and other classes of iceboat over the years.

    Skip was piloting a DN from the start of the class, and has been DN North American Champion three times ('57, '59, '64). The Boston family business (sailmaking) has been rooted in iceboating since before the DN was conceived, having been started by Skip's father Howard who was also an avid iceboater. As well as making some of the fastest DN sails throughout the history of the class, the Boston family was heavily involved in introducing the DN to Europe and supporting European sailors in coming to North America to race.

    Skip has also been heavily involved in directing the DN class, and has been a DN Corporate Officer since the beginning of time. Skip has also been a long time member of the National Iceboat Authority, helping to insure that all iceboats sail under a standard set of rules for safety.

    Please join me in a prayer, wishing Skip swift passage to the great plate of eternal black ice ...

From 4LIYC Website:

    Longtime ice boater Skip Boston who sailed with the Detroit Ice Yacht club passed away this morning. He was a three-time winner of the DN Gold Fleet championship and a two-time winner of the DN NIYA championship. A very active ice boater, Skip served on the National Ice Boat Authority and was a sail maker. 4LIYC and NIA member Jack Ripp remembers when Skip was a boy he sailed a miniature Skeeter, Pink Pink, built by his father, Howard Boston. Jack said that "Skip's presence will be missed in the ice boating world."

Here is photo of John Jacobs Sr., Bill Sarns, Skip Boston, and Elmer Millenbach at an awards banquet in the 1950's.

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Skip Boston

Submitted by cowardly skipper on August 24, 2005 - 12:07.

correction:
Pink Pink was made for Skip's brother Spike which adorned a pink spike on the sail which was sewn with pink thread. Skip and sister Martha raced DN's from the age of 8 & 10 respectively. Skip took an interest in all sports, especially football. That was a no no. He was sent to CulverMilitary Academy for the summer sailing sessions. When asked to be an instructor there, father Howard Boston said "no way, you are working in the sail loft". Along with the other Boston family members, Skip devoted his life to sailing and the promotion of the sport. Skip didn't care if you had Boston Sails, he would know you and care about you anyway. Yes, my brother had many friends and we will miss him everyday, especially by Spike, son Micheal, nephews Tac & Brad. Martha

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