Looks like a bit of a project, but one never knows. Could be a gem!
https://maine.craigslist.org/boa/6646431142.html
See it also at www.iceboat.org in the buy and sell section. Wouldn’t it be nice to have an iceboat project down in the cool cellar at this time of year?
Anyone who has a forge and is interested in making their own creepers could copy this model from 19th century Finland. It was found in an old tenant fisherman’s cabin on a remote island. Only one was discovered, which indicates how hard life was in those days…
No velcro, no plastic, no stretchy rubber to break, just iron and leather. The addition of a heel cleat would be nice. Even with the modern styles it’s important to have the heel cleat.
Bill Anderson has a couple of boats he’d
like to see back on the ice:
Older model DN iceboat for sale; includes hull, plank, mast, boom, sail & bag, runners & box; located in Casco, ME & available for review July 15 thru August 1st at this location. $1000. Easy way to get out onto the ice!
CoolCat iceboat for sail; Sitka spruce mast, fiberglass fuselage, sail, boom, plank, runners & box & trailer. $5000.
Mast has a fiberglass repair at the top; one small hole in sail has been repaired.
Boat is available for review in Casco, ME. Please call 513 374-6405 with any questions; thanks, Bill Anderson
Pat Heppart has finished drafting details of his awesome boat DRIFTR, and has put the plans out there for one and all. All he wants in return is a good race! The one we built here in Maine last year is all set to go, and Mike Acebo is nearing completion on another.
Gretchen Dorian photo.
Pat says:
“It seems like many people have asked me for plans for my current iceboat, which has been kind of partially drawn up for a few years. So I have finally taken the time to fully detail out the entire boat. The goal of this is NOT to profess any sort of iceboating wisdom, just simply to try to get more people interested in building and continue enthusiasm for the sport. It ended up being 29 pages on 11 x 17 paper. The plans and building guide are now posted in a public folder on Google Drive per the link below. You should be able to download the files with the link below; if you have trouble let me know. The plans are in PDF format as well as AutoCAD format. The AutoCAD format can be viewed and printed with a free viewer program downloadable from Autodesk. Enjoy:”
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1vrtPl7Crwafah9kShD0ii3g4BgyWLGLL
On those days when the tide’s not right for catching clams, Bryce is making good headway on his Whizz. It’s tempting when she’s all framed up to go ahead and start the planking but it really pays to do all the inside work first.
Fitting the springboard and checking the run of the steering cables.
Check out this nifty little cut-off tool, with a guide. He used it to slot the aluminum steering tube.
The flange bases will get wood pads and the 1/8″ plate will connect to the steering cables with small cable clamps. A chain saw file makes a nice groove in the top edge of that plate for the cable to rest in. You don’t want to make these wood foot pedal pads too large because sometimes you want to scoot your feet down behind the pedals right to the bulkhead, like when you’re on a long, cold, windy run so your head is a low as possible to reduce wind chill and windage. It also helps if you’re trying to keep the other guy from passing you. In that position the wheel is in just the right place for steering, the sheet is cleated, you’re out of the wind and life is good.
And now the planking begins. An iceboat all framed up is a beautiful thing and a joy to behold, but time marches on. In less than a week the days begin to get shorter, and we all know what that means!
