Comments on: Video blog of 1st sail on Canyon Ferry

By: Gavin @ UK Ferries

Gavin @ UK Ferries — Thu, 14 May 2009 14:25:28 +0000

That is a machine and a half. out of curiosity how much did it cost to make this – if you don’t mind me asking?

By: tom

tom — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:32:21 +0000

I put my link to our “toy” from 2005

http://www.surf.ee/news?uid=223&full=1

By: kevin williams

kevin williams — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 20:29:23 +0000

hi Richard,
good luck to you and your team over the next few weeks.await to heart of a new record.

By: rob judge

rob judge — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:56:19 +0000

Hi I think i know the problem with the hd cameras not working if you have not rectified this then drop me an e-mail
robj
PS. I am a cameraman

By: Richard

Richard — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:35:19 +0000

Thanks Nathan,

There certainly is some merit in looking at other suspension systems, but the combination of the required movement range, load range and frequency is no mean feat. I will try and talk to some experts on this, to see if there is a solution that we could implement. There are other problems with composite blades including durability, stiffness, straightness and of course, expense. Smooth ice certainly is the preferred option, and only a matter of time, hopefully!

By: Larry

Larry — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:13:56 +0000

Sorry to hear about the failure… Could it be related to the propensity of metals becoming brittle at sub-zero temps?? Maybe a tension rod/ cable for downforce and a small heater below the tube prior to the run???

By: Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 21:17:29 +0000

The challenge of reducing the unsprung weight, to improve suspension… what if you go away from traditional heavy all steel runners and go more with a design like hockey skates. Perhaps a carbon fiber “moulding” with only a small Steel blade portion attached, not the entire runner being made from steel…

Too bad about the rough ice… hope for a big melt then freeze.

By: Dave Zoll

Dave Zoll — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:32:40 +0000

Nothing great gets accomplished without first overcoming difficulties. Keep the faith. This has been a spectacularly bad year for iceboating on the North American continent so far.
As you know your choice of venues for this adventure is probably the best possible one. So just a matter of patience and preparation.
Thanks for the site and the efforts.
DN US4911

By: Gordon

Gordon — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:05:13 +0000

Sorry to see and hear about the problems you are having. It was good to watch the video blog and I now have a better understanding of the condition of the rough ice especially from inside the cockpit. I hope conditions will improve and I will keep watching with fingers crossed for you and your team.
Good luck
Gordon

By: Steve Stephens

Steve Stephens — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:59:30 +0000

Hi Richard, Too bad about the bearing, I’m sure you have already thought about a cable or rod through the center axis to hold the wing sections together, applying some adjustable tension on the bearing to prevent it from being pounded everytime the sections separate and come back together, but not too much tension as to restrict rotation. Just my two-cents worth.—Steve