Iceboaters, we have a horse in the Youth America’s Cup race starting in Barcelona on September 17, 2024. Just down the road from Four Lakes, Fontana, WI, home of the Skeeter Iceboat Club, has the highest concentration of Youth America’s Cup sailors in North America, all with a background in ice sailing. Kyle Navin, Harry Melges IV, and Finn Rowe have been selected to represent the USA in this prestigious event. Their iceboating experience has prepared them well for the high speeds and intense competition of the AC40 boats, which can reach 45 knots downwind (almost as fast as an iceboat.) WHAT TO KNOW When: Begins September 17, 2024 Event website How to Watch About the Team Photos courtesy of Nite sailor Dave Navin
Harry Melges IV in his M80 Skeeter
Kyle Navin and Finn Rowe
Kyle Navin, finished 2nd at the Nite Nationals
Kyle Navin, finished 2nd in the Nite Nationals
Kyle Navin began his ice sailing career in an Ice Optimist
Here’s the latest Spaight Street Syndicate Update on the baker’s dozen Nite mast project:
Whole Lotta Boinging Goin’ On
Yesterday was boinging day at the Spaight Street Syndicate. With a baker’s dozen of Sitka Spruce Nite Racing Masts nearing completion, it was time to determine the boingosity of each. Freshly back from the American Magic camp in Barcelona, the smart person job was handled by Kyle Navin, while the old man (the reigning Nite National Champion) recorded the data. “Funny, but every time the weight needed to be hoisted onto the sling, the two old guys had “business” to conduct on their phones,” commented the junior Navin. Little did Kyle know, but this was actually a training session on the fundamentals of business management–the day’s focus being on delegation and empowerment.
Precise boing data was collected with a top secret amount of weight (it was 80 lbs.) suspended at the mast center, with readings taken at the bottom third, halfway and two thirds points. The builders were pleased to note that the boing was remarkably consistent from side to side, even prior to final tuning. Over the range of masts, centerpoint boingosity was recorded from 3.2″ to 5.8″. In the days ahead, comparisons will be made to other existing masts that have performed well on the ice in the past.
Key questions–
1.) How much boing is ideal?
2.) How much is too much boing before mast failure?
3.) Since we now have the option to lose the lead, are softer masts more practical? Inquiring minds want to know.
