Ice boat
An
Ice boat (more commonly spelled as one word - iceboat, sometimes called an "ice scooter") is a boat or purpose built framework similar in appearance to a
sail boat but fitted with
skis or runners (skates) and designed to run over
ice instead of (liquid)
water. Ice boats are small, usually only for one person. However two seat iceboats (Nites) are common, some designs adapt a "side car" and older large stern steer iceboats often have multiple seats in their "basket."
Ice yachting is the
sport of
sailing and racing iceboats. A related sport, land sailing, are iceboats with wheels replacing the runners. A sport mostly practiced on the western dry lake beds.
There are usually three skate blades called "runners" supporting a triangular or cross-shaped frame, covered with colorful aerodynamic skins similar to an airplane
fuselage. Most ice boats are rigged as
catboats, with a single sail, though some older larger classes are rigged as
sloops (with a smaller
jib sail forward of the mast). Smaller boats steer the front runner, while larger ones have a rear rudder runner (stern stern).
Ice boats have their history in wide, stubby, multi-runner vessels used in the
1800s. These early vessels were capable of operation on both water and ice and were used primarily for winter
transportation and
ice fishing.
|
An iceboat on Lake Balaton in front of Tihany |
Contemporary recreational ice boats were originated around
1937. The
Detroit News sponsored a competition for the best ice boat design, which became the
International DN. Modern designs move as much as five times the wind speed and often achieve 100 km/h (60 mph) such as the such as the modern DN class boat, while the sleek Skeeters and older large stern steer iceboats can exceed 170 km/h (100 mph). Iceboat classes are based on surface area of the sail. Rumored, but unconfirmed, top speed of an iceboat is 150 mph. Due to light weight, acceleration can be very impressive. Weight is the enemy of a competitive iceboat and all efforts are made to minimize it as is to some extent aerodynamic drag.
Iceboats are not produced commercially on a wide scale (if at all), but remain the province of hobbyists and enthusiasts building with high quality wood and plywood. There are no known licensing or registration requirements. Iceboating's popularity is limited to the northern continental US and Europe, as few places elsewhere have ice thick enough to safely use the vessels for an extended duration. Despite that,
regattas are held regularly, including world championships. In the
United States there are active regattas on the great lakes from
Detroit, MI, and
Lake Winnipesaukee in
New Hampshire, to Lake Minnetonka in
Minneapolis, MN the lakes surrounding
Madison, WI, Pewaukee Lake near
Milwaukee, WI, Lake Geneva in southeastern
Wisconsin, Lake Winnebago
Oshkosh, WI, several lakes in upstate
New York and several Western Lakes. All are within the "ice belt" of approximately 40N Lat. to 45-50N Lat. where it gets cold enough to freeze water to several inches thick before snow covers them. Once a thick snow fall occurs, iceboaters must wait for the snow to melt completely then refreeze or travel to another lake/area. The preferred condition of "black ice" is smooth clear ice that has no snow and has frozen in a state of smoothness. Thus the far north cannot support iceboating well as the snow comes early and does not melt and further south the freezing does not produce safe ice.
|
An iceboat on lake Balaton, Hungary |
*
Timeline of North American Ice Boating*
International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association*
The Early History of Ice Sailing*
International Nite Class Association*
Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club*
Minnesota Iceboating*
Lake Balaton: in English*
Lake Balaton - in the Hungarian wiki*
The South Bay Scooter Club is the oldest Scooter club in the United States. Established in 1921 the club pursues active ice-boat racing in the winter-time.
