The ice that got left behind in the rush to Plattsburgh was sailed, bumps and all, by seven ice boats and one wind surfer/runner rig and several more sailors who tried out “Cheapskate”, the prototype low cost entry level lumber yard/hardware store sourced Sunfish rigged ice boat sponsored by the CIBC.

Either the bumps have weathered somewhat or the skippers have hardened somewhat, it didn’t seems so bad. Eight ice boats, one Nordic skater, and a windsurfer rig named Cheapskate. A nice little Southerly came up in the afternoon and hung in there so there was not much pushing. The guinea pig skippers who tried out “Cheapskate”, two of whom had never sailed an iceboat, came back all smiles and thumbs up. The only person who aborted his sail had to stop to corral his dog who was trying to hump a cute fuzzy little dog wearing a pink sweater. Having fun on ice is what it is all about. We should provide dog sitting.

Experienced ice boaters were pleasantly surprised at how well and easily Cheapskate sailed. We are greatly encouraged in the project and will draw up plans forthwith. These will be simple 8 X 11 sheets, as used for “Gambit” plans which have stood the test of time and sufficed for many builders who have not complained. Fred Wardwell wants the plans ASAP so he can retire his veteran DN. We intend to put the plans on the club website in the near future along with accounts of building and sailing which will also appear soon in the CIBC newsletter as the “Cheapskate Chronicles”.

Bill Bunting’s “Trixie” tries out Cheapskate