For you Northern sailors

[Ken Honeycutt]

Some of you Northern sailors may have seen these at the boat shows but I thought I would post this anyway. These were on display at the Chicago Sailboat show - first time I've ever seen these. I was almost ready to plunk down a deposit but I don't think the admiral would appreciate if I came back from the show with one of these. I've seen ice boats on one of the lakes a couple of hours from Chicago and always thought it would be a blast to sail one - now it looks like this may be a possiblity during the long winters here.

Check out the ice racing video.

http://www.blokart.lt/en

 

[Tim R.]

That looks like a blast. I already own the windsurfing sail rig, I would just have to build the sled. Unfortunately our lakes don't freeze this nicely. They are usually snow covered. And you also have to watch out for the snomobilers.

My neighbor at the my lake house has an old iceboat and he says he is lucky if he gets 1 good winter our of 10 for sailing. Luckily he also snowmobiles.

 

[Benny]

Have seen some with wheels on them for more temperate climates. The need for flat open spaces would be the primary consideration.

 

[Tim R.]

I used to have a 3'x1' skateboard with a windsurfer sail on it. I would go sail on the mall parking lots after they closed in the summer. Scarey fast! Zero leeway made it scoot in even the lightest wind!

 

[Ken Honeycutt]

Actually according to the sales guy at the show you can change out the blades with wheels in about 15 minutes. The skates are an option....Been trying to think of where there would be a large empty lot near me that would work during the winter if the lakes weren't iced over but knowing how everything is these days I'd probably be chased off by somebody.

 

[Soundbounder]

The New London Day just ran a story and video about someone ice boating in Mystic.
The video is here:
http://www.theday.com/mmedia/

 

[William12213]

The Iceflyer

This is how I keep my skills sharp over our long winters here in the north. I built it last year and now I wonder why I waited. It is fun, fast and easy to sail. I have done almost 70 mph on this so it is a little different than sailing but hey any excuse that works! LOL

I am selling this one and building a new, bigger, faster, rig so hopefully I will have some new pics for next winter

Have fun and stay warm

 

[Ken Honeycutt]

Re: The Iceflyer

William,

Did you have a set of plans? 70 MPH could outrun a few snowmobiles.

 

[William12213]

Ken,
I did have a set of plans to build it although I tweaked them a bit. I have beat a couple snowmobiles with it. They always have to come a talk to you afterwards. All that fun and no gas!