Introduction: Traditional Polynesian Ice Canoe (Ice Proa) - How to Kite Ice Sail
Once it's too cold to kitesurf in the water, it's time to find a frozen lake and kite on top of the water. Build a "traditional" Polynesian ice canoe using aluminum extrusion or whatever material you have at hand. If the water ever froze in Polynesia, I'm sure this is what their ice kite/sail craft would look like.
Attachments
Step 1: Ice Kite Buggy Didn't Work So Well
Initially, I cut some ice skates out of steel, sharpened them on a belt sander, and bolted them onto Saul's old sand buggy. This ice buggy moved fast, but I felt like I was always being pulled out of the seat by the kite.
Step 2: A Brief Introduction to Kites
All kites fly and generate force within some quarter sphere defined by the kite itself, the pilot, and the conditions. The homemade 9 m2 nasawing, shown here flying above Quaboag pond, flies in an angle a bit greater than 135 degrees; some very efficient foils can push that angle much further.
Step 3: It's All About the Edge
To get going on the ice buggy, you edge against the pull of the kite and use only the component of force that points in the direction you want to go. Rarely do you want to be pointed directly at the kite, so the pull of the kite is almost always to the side. Since your feet are used to steer, there isn't much to hold you in the buggy. (Some more advanced buggies have specially designed seat to counteract this problem.)
Step 4: Turn to Leeward!
After a full day of ice kiting left me with a sore back and bruised hips (especially after a couple of crashes where I was actually pulled completely out of the ice buggy), it seemed clear I needed a proa type vehicle - something which has a constant windward and leeward side. I wanted to sit with the wind to my back and use my feet to steer and to hold my position in the vehicle.
Step 5: Use Scrap Material and Expensive Machine Downtime
With a bit of CAD, some leftover 8020 structural aluminum, a few jet machined connectors and blades ...
(download the zip file full of all the CAD drawings)
I designed it to use abrasive jet machined aluminum connectors and extruded aluminum bars. The blades were also jet machined from stainless steel and sharpened to a 90 degree angle by hand. The flexure is polycarbonate. You could accomplish the same thing with scrap steel from a bed frame welded together.
Step 6: It's Fast
Behold! The Ice Proa!
The plastic beam on the leeward side is a flexture that turns the two skates. Push out in the center at the footstrap to go upwind, pull in to go downwind. The flexture is rigidly attached on one side and slides on the other.
Step 7: Action!
Step 8: More Details
Step 9: Improve
After bending the rear blade, I made a much wider rear blade from 1/4 inch stainless steel. I also put a foot rest on the outside of the steering connectors.
Step 10: If You Do Nothing Else, Watch This One
Step 11: Safety Equipment
You'll want all manner of safety equipment to play on frozen lakes. The best thing to do is to find some ice fisherman and ask them about the thickness of the ice and if there are any thin areas. In New England there's an ice report website from NEIYA.
Check out the image notes for specific safety gear. More information here.
Step 12: Freeze
Enjoy freezing temperatures like never before.
51 Comments
8 years ago on Introduction
I think adapting a pair of old hockey skate blades might make this easier to accomplish for those without access to a water jet machine. Making the frame out of 3/4" EMT would be much cheaper. EMT, a hacksaw, nuts and bolts and some intelligent triangulation should get it done. Cut the EMT to desired length, use hammer to flatten ends, drill holes for nuts and bolts (or pop rivets or whatever fasteners you choose).
All that being said, the design shown is very clean and professional looking. Looks great.
8 years ago on Introduction
I think adapting a pair of old hockey skate blades might make this easier to accomplish for those without access to a water jet machine. Making the frame out of 3/4" EMT would be much cheaper. EMT, a hacksaw, nuts and bolts and some intelligent triangulation should get it done. Cut the EMT to desired length, use hammer to flatten ends, drill holes for nuts and bolts (or pop rivets or whatever fasteners you choose).
All that being said, the design shown is very clean and professional looking. Looks great.
14 years ago on Step 3
How do you stop once you get going?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
As long as you're not going directly down wind or the wind hasn't died... You use the kite to stop, same as you do for most kite sports. You simply get it powered up in the opposite direction of your momentum, and let it slowly pull you to a stop, then you depower/land... or you end up going that way for a bit and try the same move again.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Well we know that if you hit something you'll definitely stop. Short of that, jump off the board.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Let me rephrase: how do you stop and survive the process?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Will you let me know when you find out? :P
Reply 14 years ago on Step 3
I haven't figured it out yet! I'm still going!!
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
You seem to be pretty good at ice sailing during the summer and posting on Instructables at the same time.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
See what it says right before his name PRO. That's something that professionals can do.
11 years ago on Introduction
I live in a place where there isn't that many accessible large bodies of water that get thick ice in the winter (northern NJ). Any way I could possibly replace the skate mechanisms for something like wheels, giving the device land-compatible?
17 years ago
When I think "polynesia" I think Hawaii, Fiji, Tahiti, etc...where is there ice in these parts of the world?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
There isn't, he just used the design of a Polynesian proa and added blades to the bottom for the ice. The design is traditional, the blades and the application are not.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Wow. a comment on mine 4.5 years later. That's pretty cool.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I just thought that since the comment was so lonely for four & a half years, my reply would cheer it up.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Sweet!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Greetings from the future!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
Another year, another comment. Nice!
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
See ya in 2013!
11 years ago on Introduction
It would be sweet to have an ice-auger holder and a rack for tip-ups. You would then have the Lamborghini of ice-fishing rigs! maybe a fish net to hold the catches?