User:Paulg-dn
Modern designs of iceboats are very efficient, and can achieve speeds as high as ten times the wind speed in good conditons. International DN iceboats often achieve speeds of 55 mph (89 km/h) while racing, and speeds as high as 68 mph (109 km/h) have been recorded.[1] Skeeters and older large stern-steerer iceboats can exceed 170 km/h (100 mph). The rumored, but unconfirmed, top speed of an iceboat is 150 mph (240 km/h). The stern-steerer Debutaunte, recently rebuilt, was timed over a measured mile at 143 miles per hour on the ice of Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin in 1938.
Because of the very high potential boat speeds, iceboat race courses are deliberately set in a straight line upwind and downwind, which are the slowest directions of travel. Recorded racing speeds for an International DN in 10 mph (16 km/h) winds are 30 mph (48 km/h) upwind, and 40 mph (64 km/h) downwind.[2]. A downwind speed of 56 mph (90 km/h) was recorded at a World Championship in winds of just 15 mph (24 km/h) to 18 mph (29 km/h).[1]
- ^ a b Dill, Bob (1993-Feb): "Boat Speeds", idniyra.org, retrieved on 2009-01-12
- ^ Dill, Bob (2004-Feb): "Putting Numbers on Iceboat Sailing Performance", idniyra.org, retrieved on 2009-01-14