Great vid Gizmo. I really think these ice yachts would be the ultimate sailing experience.
I believe the speed record for ice sailing stands at 145 mph, 233 kmh or 126 knots.
A movie I have wanted to get for a couple of years now is "Gods of Speed". There is an intro on You Tube but not the full movie.
Nice video. Iceboating speeds are an interesting subject. The 145 mph used to be in Guinness book of world records until it was taken out. Claims rage as high as 180 mph depending on who you ask. I find it very interesting that ever since modern technology has given us things like gps and specifically sail tracking programs that solidify those speeds that very few iceboaters have submitted their mind blowing speed claims! see www.gps-icesailing.com/default.aspx
Bob Dill has done much research to iceboat speed data. So far a top of the line skeeter has been recorded at 87 mph in good conditions. Bob has compared landsailing to skeeter speeds in similar conditions. They were fairly close with the skeeters performing better downwind in slightly less wind. The old guard say skeeters go well over 100 mph.
It would be interesting if some one proved it. I have been corresponding with Richard Jenkins in the last week. He is building another boat to run on the ice to try to establish a speed record. Bob Dill DN speeds - www.idniyra.org/articles/boatspeeds.htm
this is wikipedia concerning iceboat speeds -
Modern designs of iceboats are very efficient, utilizing aerodynamic designs and low friction, and can achieve speeds as high as ten times the wind speed in good conditions. International DN iceboats often achieve speeds of 48 knots (89 km/h; 55 mph) while racing, and speeds as high as 59 knots (109 km/h; 68 mph) have been recorded.[3] Skeeters and older large stern-steerer iceboats can exceed 90 knots (170 km/h; 100 mph). The rumored, but unconfirmed, top speed of an iceboat is over 130 knots (240 km/h; 150 mph). One reference to a timed run on Lake Geneva, Wisconsin reported an "E-Skeeter" as having reached 137 knots (254 km/h; 158 mph). The same reference reported clocking a DN 60 iceboat on a closed course over black ice on Green Bay, Wisconsin at 94 knots (174 km/h; 108 mph). The stern-steerer Debutaunte, recently rebuilt, was timed over a measured mile at 124 knots (230 km/h; 143 mph) on the ice of Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin in 1938.
Bob Dill paper on speeds -
www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/08/tt/bobdill.pdf
I was there the same day with start as a low wind day.
The guy on skates tells the camera man they can heare the ice boats .
Have fun as I pass by. ( in silence)
