Product Description
In 2014 I decided to design an iceboat that was small and
comfortable to sail. Smaller iceboats are easier to store transport and set up.
This allows for more use on smaller plates of ice during the season. The
original idea was to build two identical iceboats for a friend and I to sail.
The first day I sailed mine I was asked how can one be obtained. I decided to
draw plans and make an 8 part you tube building tutorial for the Mini
Skeeter. Afterward I was approached by
others wanting a landsailing version. So I designed additional components that
bolt on to allow the iceboat to be a landsailer. I also designed a larger fuselage for bigger
people.
The Plans consist of
over 60 pages of pictures, cut sheets, drawings and a liability release for the
designer. It includes the original
fuselage, the large fuselage, the iceboat version and the landsailer version. I
list various vendors for the parts (sail, rigging, wheels and ice runners etc.).
The fuselage is made from ¼â and 3/8â plywood with a strip
planked deck. The fuselage is 10â long
with a wheel (land) or spring board (ice) extension and the width is around 8â.
The un-stayed aluminum mast is also included in the plan and is 17â tall. The
sail package includes a 5.5m for light wind and a 4.0m for heavier winds. We
are usually on the playa or ice longer than the other boats due to the sailing/wind
range of the Mini Skeeter.
They are about as much fun to build as they are to sail. We
have a nice sized one design fleet that competes annually at the Land Sailing
Americas Cup every March. Over 80 Mini Skeeter sail numbers have been
registered all over the world in the last three years. Top speeds recorded so far are 69 mph on land
and 64 mph on ice.
