"Sal's Dad" wrote in message ...
Any thoughts/experience with a hull shape or material for getting through
small-scale ice? We have about a mile to travel; occasionally a skim of
ice forms overnight (OK, today it was more than a skim).

We've always used a 14x4' flatbottomed skiff, of ply/epoxy, lots of glass
built up on the chines. The bow lifts up onto the ice, and breaks through
at the chines. The motor then cuts a third channel down the middle. This
works, but backing up can be tough, and slight variations in thickness can
cause control problems.

Also, props - small motor props (OMC, Tohatsu 8's) do OK with the ice, but
the Yamaha 25's prop got chewed to bits yesterday. Any experience with
Pirhanha's in the ice?

If you are interested in talking about ice breaking skiffs, talk to my
friend Jon he
http://www.perssonmfg.com
He has built and outfitted skiffs and scows for ice conditions, mostly
retrofitted with metal and such. Make sure you tell him I sent you, he
is a competetor, but we send folks back and fourth as to need.
Scotty from SmallBoats.com