Iceboating - See the Videos!
Earlier this week Bayfront students helped get one of the BCMS iceboats down and learned how to set it up. The rigging was checked, the sail was bent on, all the parts were inspected, and the skates were sharpened. The kids also learned about iceboating history, including the fact that iceboats held the world speed record into the 1920's, faster than cars, motorcycles, and airplanes. A train running along the Hudson River finally beat the iceboat speed record.
A student learns the principles of sharpening and then practices with a file on an iceboat skate secured in a vise on the Blakely Heritage Bench.
Students examined the sharpened edges, and the slurry from the sharpening stones while learning to use a microscope.
Saturday Presque Isle Bay finally had great iceboating conditions, and a lot of the boats in the Erie iceboat fleet were ready.
Great ice, good breeze, sunny and cold! Click on this photograph to see the video. 30Jan10
While the USCG Operator Uninspected Passenger Vessel (OUPV) final exam was underway this morning at BCMS, Alex rigged one of the BCMS iceboats and sailed. About twenty five boats were sailing; more will be rigged tomorrow.
Iceboats can sail 4 or 5 times the speed of the wind in the right conditions. Click on this photgraph to see Jet Arrow 450 come in for a landing.