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Why I design and sail skate sails and not ice boats.

When I discuss new ways of sailing fast on ice with people they sometimes suggest some form of ice boat. But I prefer to stick to skate sailing for several reasons. (An ice boat is a "boat", which you sit in, with runners (skates) mounted on it. A skate sailor wears skates on his feet and carries a sail somehow.)

- Here in Sweden we have championship races where I can compete with my hopefully winning designs. If I make a fast ice boat there is no class to compete in.
- Skate sails tends to be much simpler constructions because you have some of the structures and functions needed free from birth. An ice boat needs, apart from the boat, a structure to mount the skates on and one of these skates must be arranged for steering.
- The skate sailor, on the other hand, only needs to put skates on his feet and he then steers with his legs. Suspension is also included free for the skate sailor. When he sails a wing skate sail you can say his body acts as a mast. He directly sheets the sail by turning it slightly with his hands while the ice boat needs a sheeting system.
- The investment (material and building time) is very small compared to (the not faster) ice boats. This makes it relatively easy to try novel designs. The skate sails are also easier to transport and store.

Things from my desk. Sailing boats I have raced and sailed. My humble abode.

Modified Aug. 2021

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