There have been a few questions about slush runners recently as the spring sailing season heats up. Denis Guertin shared these photos of his building process.

The edge is 1″ stainless angle, nicely polished. Northwind Iceboats supplies these pre bent.

The bodies 36″ x 5″ and are made from two layers of 1/2″ birch ply. It’s actually 12mm, which leaves room for the formica facing on both sides but check that before you glue everything together. A small notch is cut into the front of the body to receive the end of the angle and fair it in.

Add the formica skins. Fiberglass or carbon fiber can also be used. The final thickness needs to fit easily into your chocks.

Denis used a 45 degree bit to both flush trim the formica and cut the angle on the bottom of the body.

Check the fit. There should be about 10″ of flat on the bottom, centered over the bolt hole just like hard ice runners. (.007 from the pivot 5″ in either direction) You can make the bottom of the runner straight and shim the angle to get the crown.

3M 5200 is a good choice to bond the edges to the bodies. If you don’t use the fast cure version, leave it in the clamps for a couple of days.

Drill the bolt hole an inch down and 1/3 of the way forward measured along the edge. Paul Zucco always keeps his very sharp so he can sail on the hard ice before is softens, and can keep sailing while every one else has gone back to the pits to change runners.

Sailing on slush is really fun, especially if there’s lots of wind. The little bow wave of ice pellets peeling off the front of your runner is mezmerising. The leading edge of your plank takes a beating, though. If you have a softwood core it will erode from ice chips pounding on it, but it will be worth it!