hard water

[phragle]

if the sails bother you click the X in the top right corner now.

these little things are called 'DNs'. they are the result of a contest the Detroit News haad in the 30's for a 'car topable' easily transported ice boat. The technology has changed since then but the basic design remains intact. The DN is by far the most popular ice boat today, with a world sanctioning body (IDNIYRA). With races held all over the world, a world championship is held yearly alternating between the US and Europe. Capable of reaching 60+ mph in a decent breeze, there is a larger ice boat class refered to as skeeters which can regularly break the 100 mph mark. The DN hull is made from spruce while the spars are carbon fiber and can bend radically to absorb wind gusts. the runners are razor sharp 440c stainless blades in carbon fiber bodies.

 

[phragle]

...

 

[Davidmnc]

Looks good.........reminds me of a moped!!

 

[Perlmudder]

thats so sick!! they do ice boat sailing at the canoe club in the winter, only about 100 bucks to join for the winter season. i think it looks super fun!

 

[phragle]

the Jimi Hendrix expeience..

 

[phragle]

This shows the deflection of the carbon fiber spars, second pik is when things get a bit out of control (wiping out at 50~60 mph and getting slammed on the ice can get painfull) and finally, one of the 100+ mph boats.

 

[Sea-Dated]

This shows the deflection of the carbon fiber spars, second pik is when things get a bit out of control (wiping out at 50~60 mph and getting slammed on the ice can get painfull) and finally, one of the 100+ mph boats.

Looks like fun but too damn cold for me....

 

[phragle]

your inside a canopy on the fast boats, plus you get on of the back wrap heat packs and you have central heating. you can save money on ice to keep the beer cold too...

 

[Perlmudder]

havent they been experimenting with aluminum sails because they can control the shape of them? i think they had something about that on the daily planet....