I've had 6 days of iceboating in already. It's the earliest start Ive had yet. Here is the best day on the ice -
Got home from work and that made my day John.
That's got to be soooo much fun.
Love your construction once again. Awesome effort.
If it's a mini Skeeter what are the size restrictions compared to a land based mini?
Out of interest, how are they measured ?
I designed it to be 90'' for and aft and 78'' wide at the runner pivot points. Closer to a class 5 than a 5.6 mini. This iceboat is about 5'' shorter over all than my 5.6 but it has a longer and wider base. I've found small iceboats to be much more usable for where I live. I can have it ready to go in the back of my truck and still be able to shut the garage door at night.
I had another great day of iceboating with the Mini Skeeter yesterday. A few more will be built this year in my shop. This boat handles so much better than the 5.6 on the ice. Not so twitchy. I like the forward sheeting system too. I need to move the ratchet block back a bit more to keep it from hitting the fuselage.
Totally awesome! We don't have much in the way of frozen lakes in NZ.If we did I would be starter once I had taken a brave pill
I've been iceboating for 20 years now. Last year I got 13 days in so far this season 15 days. If I hadn't built a mini and put runners on it I would have sailed only a handful of days with my bigger boats. I wish It wouldn't of taken 20 years to figure out little boats are the way to go for iceboating where I live. Most lakes are too small for a bigger boat but perfect for a mini sized one. I can load my mini in the back of the truck and take off and launch for iceboating in a matter of minutes. Iceboating is a seize the moment type sport. If there is good ice and wind you have to drop everything your doing because It may not be there tomorrow. Today I drove out but no wind. Now it's snowing. You never know if it's going to be the last day of boating for the season. Here are a few more good trips I've had this season -
Thanks. My son and his buddies used to make skateboard movies a while back. They helped me sort things out. I don't know how to use high trec editing tricks but I try to find the best shots of hours of video and lace it together. Then add in the appropriate music. It can take up to 7 hours to make a good one. Longer when my editing program crashes.
Sensational stuff, I have ice envy! My interest in this sport was piqued some 50 years ago whilst poring over the 'bible', Popular Mechanics, there was an article on making your' very own Ice Flyer. Made from the usual apple crates, lumber and hardware typical of the material specified in the magazine in those times.
5th day sailing the new Mini Skeeter. I really like the way this boat handles so far. It's got more of a 5sq footprint with my mini rig. -
Your build really looks stunning. I love the deck and the detailing you have got in!
My last day for this season. I sailed 23 days over the last 4 plus months this season. This was my last day. The ice was rotting around the shoreline as I sailed.
It was a sad day after I got the boat off the ice.
