DIY

Iceboaters tend to fall into the DYIers of life category . Maybe it all started way back when with the Bluestreak 60 in Detroit, spurring on many home builders. A vast majority of ice craft that we see, tend to be either home built or purchased from a few skilled builders. Perhaps due to the limited time and places to sail, the sport has scared away the big factory entrepreneurs from hitting the market. Even to find the simple parts is becoming more limited. The first set of plate runners cost me $295 from that old reliable William B Sarns company. I’m not sure who produces them anymore. (I have a few sets so haven’t really been looking.) Thank you Northwind for picking up the slack out east for other hardware. Inset runners tend to be the most seen gear on the lakes, at least in the racing circles. The vintage sailors tend to brag about their “classic” gear such as cast iron, T iron, or iron shod runners, and of course their wooden mast. I will admit to not seeing too many cotton sail these days. I digress though. Even if you bought a starter boat, chances are you had some patching and painting to do. (Although I do know those who have hired this out.)

I think my DIY gene came from both my parents. My dad was a pattern maker by trade and had the tools and the knowledge to take a set of plans and produce a quality product. My mom was constantly sewing clothes for myself and 3 sisters. It only seemed natural that when I finally settled down in ice country that I make my own craft. With at least a dozen new craft and many more rehabs to my name, I still enjoy the Zen of the build. Whether it be hard or softwater, there is nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. That includes building them too.

This season found me refinishing my super DN after 30 some years of use and abuse and sewing a couple of new sails. One for my wife’s Skimmer, and a second for my friends. (Sailrite gave a good deal if I bought 2 kits. Okay so I didn’t lay out the sails myself, although I do have the book showing me how.) so with the old office counter top revamped as a sewing table, two new sails were completed, in time for the last sail of the season. They’ll be all set for next year as long as they keep the mice out!

My wife drew the line at me buying tools for a metal shop, but I did acquire a stick welder that has produced a few usable items. The grinder helped too. A local, “Maker Space” does have a nice setup if I desperately need to manufacture an obscure part.

So if you have been blessed, (cursed) with the DYI gene, embrace it and set your mind for the meditative zen of Doing It Yourself.