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Author Topic: Ice Boats  (Read 1786 times)

JimH

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Ice Boats
« on: January 01, 2003, 11:53:34 am »

The lake froze here about December 6 this year and we haven't had much snow, so the surface is still icy.

Today the ice boats were out.  It doesn't take too much wind before they really go flying.  Usually they are a small modern type, but today there was a big wooden model.  I got my camera and went down to take pictures.  

The boat was built in 1937.  It's really beautiful.  Even has a flag at the top of its mast.

After watching me taking pictures for a while, the owner stopped and asked if I wanted a ride.  It was a thrill.  You really feel the speed when you're sitting that close to the ground.

Nice start for a new year.

The pictures are here:
http://www.jriver.com/~jriver/2003/iceboats/Index.htm

Here are some 2MB movie clips of the boats and a motorcycle:
http://www.jriver.com/~jriver/2003/iceboats/MOV02237.MPG

http://www.jriver.com/~jriver/2003/iceboats/MOV02238.MPG

http://www.jriver.com/~jriver/2003/iceboats/MOV02239.MPG

http://www.jriver.com/~jriver/2003/iceboats/MOV02240.MPG
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Griff

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Re: Ice Boats
« Reply #1 on: January 01, 2003, 12:14:02 pm »

Jim

Only 3 pic come up.

Griff
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Griff

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Re: Ice Boats
« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2003, 12:53:51 pm »

Now that looks like fun.

The houses look like those along Lake Norman down here.

Great pics.

Thanks
Griff
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DocLotus

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Re: Ice Boats
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2003, 12:39:29 pm »

I live in the South now (Houston, Tx) & every winter when I see pictures like these I really miss Colorado.

There is something to be said about a 'real' winter with ice, snow, & some wind.

There is nothing like being snug at home with a roaring log on the fire, some hot chocolate (or other smooth drinks) and a blanket of new fallen white snow on the ground.

Ah.. the great North Country!
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KingSparta

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Re: Ice Boats
« Reply #4 on: January 02, 2003, 01:43:16 pm »

>> Colorado
I lived in Colorado Springs for 2-3 years 1992-1995
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DocLotus

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Re: Ice Boats
« Reply #5 on: January 02, 2003, 03:11:57 pm »

Great place to live... been there many times.  I actually lived in Denver, but Colorado Springs was a favorite place to go for a long drive.

Pikes Peak, USAF Academy, Colorado raceway, Table Rock & many other neat things to do.

I witnessed the great flood in the 60's, destroyed many of the bridges around Colorado Springs.
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JimH

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Re: Ice Boats
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2003, 02:48:33 pm »

The last few days have been cold here.  Nights around 0 F (-15C).  Days a little warmer.

Yesterday, a friend asked if I'd like to take a ride in his iceboat.  It was an incredible thrill.  

The first trip across the lake, I sat on his right, with a helmet on.  He had a helmet and an orange survival suit.  The cockpit was like two people sitting in a pointed coffin on skates.  I didn't have any room to move, not even enough to get my helmet under the boom.  He said, "its a little hairy out there today".

We took off slowly, he pulled the sail in more and more, until we were doing about 40 or 50 mph.  It was like one of those scenes shot from the car at a NASCAR race.  Everything was a blur.  I sail boats, so I understand the force that they can apply, and this was very scary.

At the end of the loop, when he turned to go again, I had to say, "could I please get off?"  It was like that.  I didn't want to tell him I was scared stiff.  He was my host, after all.

When we came to a long, slow stop, I climbed slowly out, knees shaking.

He said, "Would you like to sail it?".  I said, "uh, yes, I would...thanks".

The second time, alone, with the mainsheet in my hand, it was just plain fun.  There were some moments when I made turns and skidded, or found some other iceboat sailor turning into my path and then veering off, but on the whole, it was a great moment.  One of the past of the last few years.

And, I'm really glad to be alive.
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