Ice Sailing

Curious to know if anyone had thought about modifying either an AI or TI for ice sailing? It would make sense for those of us in northern tier states or Canada and would extend the use of the boat throughout the year.

I was thinking maybe skates that plugged into the drive well(s) and skates strapped to the amas. I'm sure some of you more engineering types could work something up.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

I would love to tackle a project like that as I'm sure that if one would look at a ice sail craft, it would be just a mechanical matter of adapting it to a Hobie.
I would look into building a craft to strap the Hobie onto so when spring came, it would be easy to unstrap it and use it for water sailing.

Unfortunately, we don't have the luxury of iced over lakes where I reside.

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Hmm. I like the idea of strapping onto a frame. Leaving off the amas and akas but utilizing a separate ice boat frame would allow you to still use the main hull, mast, and furling sail. You wouldn't risk damaging the amas or akas either.

Ice boat frames are a simple cross formation. You would just have to work out how to attach the hull to the frame.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

I doubt that anyone down this way will think up anything in a hurry. Not really high on the priority list here.

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Don't take life too seriously................it ain't permanent.

Obviously the southerners and Ausies probably wouldn't concern yourselves with such an idea. I just figured the northern Midwesterners, Northeasteners, and our close neighbors to the north would have considered this by now. It would mean using the boat for at least 2-4 more months a year.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

I wouldn't get too comfortable with that statement about we Southerners and Aussies not being concerned.
With all the talk about climate change, the possibility of Hell freezing over doesn't seem that far fetched anymore !

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Would they handle the low temps?

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2012 Mango Tandem Island
and assortment of mods.

Good question. l doubt Hobie tests their boats in sub zero temperatures. Maybe one of the plastics guys can answer what the rotomolded hull would do in the cold.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

Not so good, PE becomes quite brittle at those temps. I used to live near Minneapolis (most of my life actually), and the would have stock car races out on the lake every weekend in the winter, the whole town would come and park right on the lake, it was actually fun. Most home made ice racers I've seen are just 2 4x4's mounted like a cross, with a lawn chair for a seat, why complicate it with a boat. Plus the sail on a TI would not be a good sail for ice racing, you need a big boom sail (like from a cat or a Laser), with a stayed mast. Using a stayed mast makes the mast holder at the bottom less critical (doesn't need to be as strong), You can use a ball mount bolted to the 4x4, or even simple just have a solid shaft sticking up from the 4x4, then slide the hollow mast over it. Even on an ice racer it's nice to be able to hike out to counter balance the sail.
Now we live in Florida, I don't think about that kind of stuff much anymore ( LOL).

Bob

you are better off with a used DN, Lockley skimmer 45, or other specially
designed ice boat. A lot goes into runners and their alignment for efficient
sailing and safety. speeds ca get up to 50-60 mph so you want something
tested and designed to take it. lots of home made stuff out there but usually
not as good..contact an iceboat club for their opinions on what's good in your area,
never iceboat alone always carry ice picks and wear creepers spikes on your feet,
doug..also check ice before sailing 3-4" minimum

Thanks hobie17li. It was just a thought about how I could extend the use of the boat. We probably only get 5 months or so of warm water sailing here in Nebraska. I just hate to park the boat in the garage for longer than I'd have to.

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2015 Hobie Tandem Island Hibiscus
"Third Normal Form"

• Trampolines
• Hobie cover
• Davis Spar Fly
• Kayakbob's Sprayskirts
• Spine Board Hakas

How about converting it over to a land sailing rig by adding wheels to the bottom ?

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