Cape Ice report

windydoug · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 67 Location: Western NY

Nice job on the video above. Great ice.

We get some decent ice around Rochester, NY and have gotten out 3 times this year. Below is a link to a video I put together last spring showing a couple of the locals/regulars out having fun. The video includes a little more turning than some of the others, as well as some sail around 360's.
Check it out and enjoy.
Our speed runs are a decidedly slower than the guys out on the Cape, but you wouldn't know it when you are riding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uT5UlXkOn8

Doug
rochesterwindsports.com

outcast · Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 2724

Could somebody please post a pic or two of how to make a righteous truck blade assembly?

I am at the skateboard truck and blade phase, and with only an 8" rear spread, i found a death-wobble in my turns last year that kind of almost destroyed my vital signs on several skid outs

Although far outweighed by the great sail handling aspect of ice sailing, the above is the only negative paradox that i have found "the hard way"

That is, with wave sailing, you are TRYING to break the back end free, and with ice sailing...that's not a good plan!

inf2003 · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 148

Outcast, here are some pictures of a great setup that I got off the web. I was going to make a set but have not had any time yet. Someday. Hope this helps.

outcast · Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 2724

that thing just looks MEAN.....thanks for posting

i gotta get serious about "the silent sport"

iceratz@comcast.net · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 346

windydoug · Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 67 Location: Western NY

The truck in the photo's above looks identical to my MBS mountain board truck. It is what I was riding (yellow and blue Naish sail) in the youtube vid in my previous post. About a 15 width I believe. The front truck I used was a 9.5" old school skate truck from a website called "oldshooolskates" or something like that. I have had no issues with spin out with this set up. The other guy in the video has a much simpler set up with narrow trucks. His board is a bit tippier than mine, but he deals with it well and kicks butt. Maybe tighten up the bushing a little bit more?
See the photo at bottom for a comparison of our boards. My board is the one with sail attached, and the more basic....but still great board is in the foreground.

The blades were made from standard steel stock I bought at a local big box. 1/4"x2"x15". Filed them to a sharp v on the base.

The plans I followed for my board are here:

http://www.amcboston.org/windsurf/iceboardinfo/

They are identical to a Freeskate. I did use 1/4" rod to stabilize both the front AND back blades. I obviously did not have the special freeskate back truck that is featured in the plans.
I am in the process of building another board, but differently. I have welded 3/8 threaded rod onto an existing truck the whole way across. I started buy using 4 hose clamps to hold the rod against the aluminum truck body, and then welded some metal stock to bridge the gap between the existing threaded axle and the new threaded rod. We might see how it holds up this weekend.

Doug
rochesterwindsports.com

DeanWithrow · Joined: 20 Jun 1987 Posts: 117

Jeff's trucks are a guarded secret.. he won't let me near his blade sharpening device. I think he's protecting his GPS records and copyrights. Laughing

But here are a few pictures of innovative trucks and spans.
The ones designed by Rick you can buy. The others, well... you'll have to just copy them.
The Fiberspar span is functional, but they are hard to come by.

Deano

iceratz@comcast.net · Joined: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 346

outcast · Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 2724

Geez.....gotta get me a machine shop.

I can work with wood, fiberglass, carbon fiber.....and bikini tops....
but that's some heavy metal

But Nice Thread!.....this definitely should get me started (for 2011)

inf2003 · Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 148