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Since as early as the sixteenth century Iceboats have been used as a mode of transporting people and heavy
goods. Iceboats are still used as transport in some parts of Europe.
The Sport of Iceboating began on Shrewsbury River in Red Bank, New Jersey, in 1840.The hull was a very
boat-like structure on runners similar to ice skates, with a runner board extending at
right-angles to the hull and affixed with a runner at each end and a further runner placed aft serving as a
rudder. These boats, generally over-canvassed, became the fastest
sailing vessels on Earth, attaining speeds in excess of 225 kilometres
per hour (140+ m.p.h.).
Modern Iceboats are 6 metres (20') long and have sail areas of from 7
m˛ to 32.5 m˛ (75 sq. feet to 350 sq. feet). These boats average about 65 to 95 kilometres
per hour (40 m.p.h to 60 m.p.h), over a 32 kilometre (20 mile) course.
If
you are an Ice-boater, we'd love to hear from you.
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