Hobie Cat Forums

Here's an idea that needs some expert input- How about using the Hobie 14 main and mast to build an iceboat with. I see a DN class iceboat uses 60ft2 of sail, the Hobie 14 is over 90 or 95 ft2 I think. Is the sail to baggy, or could your downhaul and sheet in enough to use?

We have lots of 14's in SD, IOWA, and MN. Would be fun to get the same gang together for racing on ice.

Let the comments begin!!

-Paul Bommersbach, Hobie 14 and Hobie 20 sailor

way too much sail

Way to much sail.....or way to much fun!

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Nacra 5.2 "Elsies"
Hobie 14T, "Blazin" I guess I am keeping her!

Don't feel bad Paul. I thought about the same exact thing last year. A Laser rig is actually too large for most of the iceboats. Look on the minneapolis craigslist and just put in "sail" on the main page, (at least that's how I came across them). There a number of iceboats on there last week.

Karl- I said expert opinion!!!!!!!!!!

I have a sailboard sail that should work very well. How about an iceboat that you stand on like a board? That would have to be lots of fun!

The 14 mast is too long, but if you cut one down it works good. You need a DN cut for the sail though, and fixing up a 14sail is not good. The DN sails are flat as a board and you're sheeting in tight all the time, up and down wind.
I have access to a set of DN plans if you need them.
cw

I really need new friends.

Karl- Thanks for your expert opinion, what you really need is more friends with FX1's. Keep up the good work!

Wessels- Yeah I want to get a set of plans.

Paul

Here is a picture of a Hobie 14 mast on an "Arrow" ice boat:
http://iceflyer.com/picture/emile_iceboat_3_06_1.jpg
It wont keep up with big wing mast ice boats but it overall works fairly well.

Walt - what kind of sail is that? Is it an arrow class sail?

Looks like a reefed Hobie 16 sail

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HCANA Class Member

Im not sure about the type of sail. I dont think its "reefed" but a good chance that its a re-sewn Hobie sail. I believe the plan was to cut the mast down once they had things dialed in. Ill see the boat again soon more than likely since its that time of year..

These guys (link below) have also done a fair amount of experimenting with using Hobie cat masts on ice boats:

http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/iceboatmaine/

First that is not an arrow. Arrow's have a larger fiberglass body imho.

It looks like a 14 mast (not cut down) with a cut down a4 sail on a DN ice boat.

I have a DN but I haven't sailed it for a few years.

cheers
Bill

I agree with Billy, it looks like a DN, mostly. The mast rake is wrong thought, the DN drops that mast waaay back. Must be a goofy angle on the camera OR I don't know what I am talking about. But really, it looks like a DN.
We have tons of them on Clear Lake, plus a renegade, a few nites, and a really bitchin' B skeeter (capable of over 100mph)