The Cost of Fun

I remember my dad pouring over this flyer sometime in the 1960’s just after he’d been bitten. He had already acquired the set of DN plans and was just figuring how to make it happen. I recall money being tight with a young family of 6 and a move to a new house which he had to finish the upstairs for me and my sisters. My mother was a voracious coupon clipper and many of our presents were bought with green stamps. We would rob piggy banks for a kiddie size ice cream at the, “Big Scoop” on Rt.1. The good news is we never felt poor. We had the basics and were creative in making our own fun with the rest of the neighborhood. They were good years for me. (The time warp thing.) let construction begin.l

The wood for a modified plan was relatively inexpensive but the high cost of the hardware needed some resourcefulness.

Imagine a pair of side chocks costing $8.00 whole dollars! The steering chock was another $6.00. A set of runners were almost unattainable at$40.00, $8.00 dollars more if you wanted a hardened edge. The sail added a whopping $100.00 to the bill. Now my dad was a pretty typical one if I remember correctly. The thing I admired most was his resourcefulness at making things appear. Bit by bit, parts started appearing. Not quite like the pictures, but close enough to know what they were supposed to be. It’s nice to know a welder now and again. With a set of welded chocks and some T iron runners, we set forth for the rest of the hardware. Blocks,(aka general store pulleys), galvanized cable with screw clamps, and a willing mother to try and sew a sail. We probably saved another $50.00 over this flyers cost. Yes the boat got made was a success, albeit limited.

I wonder what today’s prices are for the same parts. I often see old boats advertised for under $1000. And if you want the top end gear, 2nd mortgage time. All in all though it is still a relatively inexpensive sport…..unless you need to travel to find ice. Thank you to the racers and the great advancements to the sport. Everyone should drive a Ferrari some time. Frugal Yankees know that swaps are happening with some bargain prices on most anything boat related. If you travel with a trailer and want to checkout the Midwest area, you can come back with a fleet reasonably priced. And don’t forget the internet. Community sites and Marketplace have some great deals. I hope everyone who wants something new to add, can find it with no regrets for cost.

There’s been frost on the pumpkin for a few nights and it seems to be getting darker earlier. Look for the skaters to signal the start of the season.(They weigh less that an iceboat though.)

Think ice and I know some of you have seen this price flyer before. Let the show begin.