New Iceboat Owner - Where to start?

[painthappy]

I just picked up a boat at the beginning of the off season.  Bad timing on my part (ice out just happened a week ago here), but hey, I'll be all set for next season.   

Now my question is:

What should I be looking at and checking out to be sure I have everything I need and it's ready to sail come next season.  I figure I have the time, so there is no excuse to not be ready by then.

A couple of photos of it in the back of my truck:





It has an aluminum mast as far as I can tell, the plank is heavy and looks very sturdy, and the skates/runners are in fantastic condition.

The nice guy I purchased it from said he ran it a couple of years ago, but it has been sitting since.

Truth be told, I have never even sat in one of these yet.  And while I have a "wet" sailboat, and know how to sail, I've been told this is quite different.  I suppose I'll learn one day the difference.  I see the talk about a DVD, and I would definitely be in for something like that one day.  But are there and good newbie resources for me to check out? 

But mainly, I would like to know what I should be looking over and checking for.  I don't want to show up next season and find out I have a rig that can't/won't sail. 

Thanks in advance.

Carter Brown
New Boston, NH

[T Thieler US 5224]

Hey Carter-
Congrats!

Step one is to get a copy of "THINK ICE!!-The Millenium Edition" By Lloyd Roberts.  EVERYTHING is in there.  You can order it on this site in the membership section.   Also join the NEIYA-  the website is at http://theneiya.org/   

Find some local sailors and ask them to help you get set up and primed for the fall-  Folks in this class are very helpful!

Step two is to set the boat up in the back yard-  put the whole thing together, every nut, bolt, and string.  Runner's on, sail up, the whole thing.  Make sure you have every little piece.  In New England Northwind Iceboats is the place to go for parts and gear and advice.

Then make sure the runners are aligned and in good shape. 

The aluminum mast will work great but think about upgrading to a bendy composite one down the road-  they are very cool.

Lastly feel free to contact me at 401 258 6230 or t_thieler@yahoo.com with any questions-  happy to shoot the breeze-

Cheers, Jim "T" Thieler
DN US 5224

[painthappy]

Thanks.  I'll see if I can't get it put together this weekend or next weekend.  I'm sure everything is there.  I even have an old wooden box that the runners are supposed to go in.  The box is much much older than the boat.  I like the concept, but I'll probably just build a new one or keep them in something else.

A composite mast would be great, but nothing I want to drop the money on just yet until I'm sure this is what I want to do on those cold winter days up here. 

After reading about Winnie the Hard Way:  http://edatkeson.com/neiya/blackIceHW.html    I'm sold on it and want to do that if I can ever get the chance.

I've also heard that there is a swap meet sometime in the fall.  I'll keep my ear out for that also.

Thanks!


Carter Brown

[T Thieler US 5224]

Yep, the swap meet is in November, usually in Westborough MA.  It coincides with the annual meeting of the NEIYA.  Don't miss it!  It's a good time and very informative-  and the buffet at the meeting is always fantastic!

Keep tabs on the NEIYA site for info-

Also contact Steve Duhamel at Northwind Iceboats for parts and advice-  google Northwind Iceboats for his info-

Cheers!   MR T

[Ken Smith]

If you are anything like me, you gotta start something. A list of stuff to consider, in order of importance. Get help with first two, they are critical for performance:
Sharpen and tune runners.
Tune and align plank.
Ensure rigging is right length with a few inces adjustment
Build a crib for your heels
Put adjustmentable system on your boom blocks
Recess front block in boom,check rules
Put a system on so you can release the blocks from rear deck quickly
make a transport system, roof or trailer
Make a tapered main sheet
Make a cool tiller

[Ken Smith]

An aluminum stick is fun.

A composite mast calms the boat down and makes sailing it more fun, easier, and possible in wider range of wind.

If the boat is too tippy, if you can't two- block the boo
 With the leech tight, if you can't keep up in medium or high winds, don't get discouraged-get a composite mast. Old is ok.

[DN 805]

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DN 805