H16 conversion for ice sailing

Our lake freezes over, thick enough to drive on, and as I miss sailing all winter, have been contemplating creating an ice version of the H16 with rails instead of hulls . . . anyone seen or heard of a successful conversion?

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'77 Goldfinger, blue hulls

Way too much sail area, for way too little beam.

Plus a sail boat sail is really full for ice. The rig would certainly move you though.

I feel your pain. It's a shame to sit around all winter watching the wind blow and looking at your boat sitting dormant, and it would be kinda cool to be able to pop the hulls off your Hobie and stick the tramp frame and rig onto an ice craft, but I agree, the H16 rig is way too big and the whole design is really not suited for ice sailing. Ice boats are typically a T-frame design with a center cockpit and forward steering. You'd be much better off either buying a used ice boat or building something from scratch. I built a basic boat several years ago and know others that have doen the same. We used windsurfing rigs. About 5 to 7 square meters of sail is all you need for a basic, single person boat (a Hobie rig is closer to 20 square meters).

Be careful if you do go. I know people that have fallen through (although this was in eastern PA, not Michigan, so may be less of an issue for you). I would typically wear a wetsuit top under my winter clothes and sometimes even a life jacket if conditions were questionable and also a helmet. Always go in a group too. Ice sailing can be a lot of fun, but there is definitely an element of danger that isn't present in soft-water sailing.

sm

I was thinking of a simple iceboat with my windsurfer sail but I think I'll just get this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH7PH9ktkLY&feature=player_embedded

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H18, H17 & Various motor boats

it's a fledgling idea in my head at this point . . . but thought this was the best place to broadcast and get some useful feedback, including any juicy experimentation stories . . .

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'77 Goldfinger, blue hulls

I have a set of old hulls if you need the posts out of them, just pay shipping, good luck. Jim.

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[color=#4000FF]1974 Hobie 16 (Keepin 4 my sons)

The "Kitewing" is pretty cool. You better have some strong skating skills and wear lots of padding. Its actually been around for a long time (probably close to 20 years). It was originally called the "Batwing" but they must now be trying to jump on the kiting bandwagon.

Here are some videos of a boat that some of my friends built a few years ago. It's pretty cool. It has a very go-kart type feel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ene8CJDlaOI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_lRk2FS-aw&NR=1&feature=fvwp
sm

May I suggest ,, find a cheap used ice boat. You will be much happier, there are forces on the boat that are very different from soft water sailing, imho you will spend more time trying to repair the hobie conversion than you will like.

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Bodhisatfa