On 10 Dec 2004 14:20:45 -0800, "Dave" wrote:

Could anybody give me any info on an old iceboat that I have?

The details are at: http://geoffreygoldberg.com/miller/miller.htm
Any info would be appreciated.

Reply Part Deux:

I spent some time this morning doing a little research in my own
library and on-line. I've concluded that this is a one-design, quite
possibly early 1900s, more likely mid-'30s.

The sail designation would indicate a one-design racing class which
could mean anything from a club designation to home made racers. It
was pretty common for a particular style ice boat to be built in the
mid-West among friends and relatives. In fact, as history tells it,
the DN (for Detroit News) boats were based on this friends and
relatives approach.

It could also be a island runner - an ice boat made to take supplies
and people across frozen lakes from mid-lake islands. In one of my
photo books, I came across something similar to your boat, but clearly
not the same boat at all - the design was similar in concept to your
boat.

Without actually seeing the boat, it's hard to tell how old the wood
is. Is the curved top made from formed plywood or veneer? How about
the skate spars - fir or pine? I assume the mast and sail spar are
made from Douglas Fir - that's pretty typical. Are the skate spars
laminated or one piece? Sometimes, if you look inside the hull, in
particular along where the keel is, there will be a builder's
signature with a date - might want to look for it. Are the sail
battens laminated?

Some more pictures including closeups of the steering and rigging,
would help.

Other than that, I can't identify it specifically based on my meager
knowledge of the subject. Try that reference source I posted in the
previous post.

Good luck.

Later,

Tom