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Skimmer 45 Iceboat
Designer: J.t.lockley  ·  Builder: Wind Products (Usa)  ·  First built: 1971
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About the Skimmer 45 Iceboat

Designed by J.T. Lockley in 1971, this compact iceboat represents a classic approach to hard-water sailing with its bow-steerer configuration and tubular steel construction. Wind Products built these specialized craft during an era when iceboat design was becoming increasingly refined for both recreational sailing and competitive racing on frozen lakes and rivers. The Skimmer 45's lightweight tubular steel frame keeps displacement to just 55 pounds while supporting a generous 45 square feet of sail area, creating an impressive power-to-weight ratio that translates into exhilarating speeds across smooth ice. The cat rig configuration with rotating spar provides excellent control and simplicity, making it well-suited for both newcomers to ice sailing and experienced pilots seeking responsive performance. At nearly 9 feet in length with a 6-foot beam, this iceboat offers a stable platform that can handle the dynamic forces of high-speed ice sailing while remaining manageable for single-handed operation. The bow-steerer design provides direct steering control and excellent visibility, essential characteristics for navigating safely across ice conditions that can change rapidly. This makes the Skimmer 45 an ideal choice for winter sailors seeking an authentic hard-water sailing experience on inland lakes and suitable waterways.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 8.83 ft / 2.69 m
Beam 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 55.00 lb / 25 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 45.00 ft² / 4.18 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Iceboat (bow steerer)
Rigging Type Cat (rotating spar)
Construction Tubular steel
Designer J.T.Lockley
Builder Wind Products (USA)
First Built 1971
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
49.78
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
58.07
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
0.98
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 3.67 kn
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 0.96 pounds/inch
How It Compares

vs. El Toro, Montgomery 7 11, Us Sabot

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Skimmer 45 Iceboat ★
8.8 ft
El Toro
7.9 ft
Montgomery 7 11
7.9 ft
Us Sabot
8.0 ft
Beam
Skimmer 45 Iceboat ★
6.0 ft
El Toro
3.8 ft
Montgomery 7 11
4.2 ft
Us Sabot
3.8 ft
Displacement
Skimmer 45 Iceboat ★
55 lbs
El Toro
80 lbs
Montgomery 7 11
89 lbs
Us Sabot
68 lbs
Sail Area
Skimmer 45 Iceboat ★
45 sq ft
El Toro
49 sq ft
Montgomery 7 11
Us Sabot
38 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Skimmer 45 Iceboat ★
49.8
El Toro
42.2
Montgomery 7 11
Us Sabot
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Skimmer 45 Iceboat ★
1.0
El Toro
Montgomery 7 11
Us Sabot
2.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Skimmer 45 Iceboat ★
El Toro
3.56
Montgomery 7 11
3.74
Us Sabot
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Skimmer 45 Iceboat ★
58
El Toro
Montgomery 7 11
Us Sabot
96
Hull Speed
Skimmer 45 Iceboat ★
3.7 kts
El Toro
Montgomery 7 11
Us Sabot
3.5 kts
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