The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-16

for iceboats cost considerable money when made
by an expert, and they can be used for a COM
parativcly short period. SO that many who
might be able to afford one have held aloof from
the sport on account Of the outlay made and
value received. This is a very practical and
sound way Of looking ut the matter. 1t is, how
ever. possible to mako your own Ice yacht, or
superintend its construction. at a moderate cost,
and while 1t may not be as ornate In its finish as
tho professional-made boats. 1t will sail at q very
high speed, and except in the matter Of meeting
the superior boat on even terms will give Just as
much fun. The required materials are: Pine
crosspiece, pine stringpiece, frame stays pine
or wire). steel runners. blocks Of ash, and twen-
ty six-inch and eight-inch bolts.
The stringpieco or keel should be of seasoned
pine nine inches wide by two inches thick. and
this should be laid on It's broad side so that It is
about two feet from tn. ground. being sup
ported by boxes or horses. The crosspiece Is
also Of seasoned pine, and should no twelve feet
long by nine inches wide and two inches thick.
This should be laid plumb across the end of tho
stringpiece so as to form the letter T, and should
be fastened in place by at least four five-eighth-
inch bolts fitted with screw nuts, Ave incnes
long. The bolts are passed through clean cut
auger holes not too near the ed ges OF the planks,
and then firmly screwed up and frightened I'M
derneath. This being done, pass along to the
stays. and make these of seasoned ash
one inch thick and four inches wide,
the length being sufficient TO reach
from the end OF the crosspiece to the
extreme end OF the stringpiece, and securely
bolt these In position. ordinary telegraph wire
may be used for stays, but 1t does not look so
wen after the first day or two, and he's really no
stays being afixed to each side, the cabin comes
next In the very rough this can be made of an
ordinary dry goods boz cut down to two inches,
~ ayhnt I . Alta an N nm NnhnlafarAP nj
dimensions. and let him pad it so as to give the
when there is a strong wind blowing is a severe
trial. However much an old sailor may depre-
we'll to have as much as possible. Thi: cabin
is firmly nailed TO the stringpiece, and care
should be taken that the nails are properly
The only dificuit part is the skate blades. and
where 1t is practicable 1t is best, to buy these Of
the secretary q any OF the ice yacht clubs at
Newburgh or Poughkeepsie would probably
II HfT the Yacht is to be- ali homemade the local
blacksmith will make a set which will run sat
ars si%eh h Il sas TRe skate niR'i bl sas 'n %ass BE- oi
inch to an inch and a halt thick, formed just
inches deep. About an inch and a half from
the top Of the blade there should be three
inch bolts. The blades should be tempered and
hardened A. highly as ne 6laeksmlth. knoWl,
seasoned ash. eighteen inches long, three
inches thick, and twelve inches wide. Six OF
these will be needed, two for each skate blade
must be carefully bored with an auger, so that
they shall correspond exactly with the holes in
ness Is Imperative. in order 10 produce the mini
mum strain upon the wood in going about &c,
so that the blocks shall not split after they have
been warped or dried a tribe. These holes being
bored. turn the blocks over and bore two more
holes through the three-lnch thickness upward
Al r At RIGHT angles IN the other IhFAa hOlRA- being
careful 10 get the transverse holes as far from
each other as possible so as TO avoid weakening
the blocks. This being done, take the first run
ner, nix il in a wise or holder, place . block at
each side, and pass through the first block, the
long fve-eighth thick bolt, and screw IL up at
the other side loosely; then pass In the other two
bolts, and. tightening up the middle one first
screw all a. tight as your appliances and strength
will permit. FasLen one runner to each end o
the erossPieee; treat care must pc tsksn 10
parallel. The rudder is affixed by fitting tho
third runner TO a rigid rod. which passes through
the ~stringpiece at the rear OF the cabin. This
rod should have a bulb on il as big as the
clenched fist. PLACED so that the strlnRpieee,
otth,eF runners 1 1t need not be feared that the
weight of the boat will make this hard 70 turn:
good pine or ash. stepped into a foot block riv-
eted at the junction OF the stringpiece and cross
piece or 2 hole can be bored through them both
The foot block is better. stay the mast In the
usual way, using telegraph wire, and be very
until il Is thoroughly taut. The sail should Sc
OF as light a texture as Is consistent with
strength. but In q homemade boat an old sail y
usually adapted. This should bs a catboat sail,
gated and spread in the orthodox manner: II
should work more easily than on a sallboat so
that it can be lowered very quickly. To DO this
some people hang a ten-pound weight 70 the
we'll rubbed with soap. not coated. but well
rubbed. This will not freeze like grease and the
wetter It gets the more II will slip.
As 10 sailing the ice boat, there IL no royal
road 10 success. Get the inns OF sailing
from some competent hand; learn how 10 raise
the sail and secure the sail sheet how 20 lower
the sail quickly. how 70 keepi IL full hos 70 bring
The boaf up M the Hind, and then take your
courage In both hands, and when the ice IL mod
erately clear OF boats goOut and staggeT around
alone until you are able 70 manage the boat A
stARly with him. It Is Ike Learning 70 swim