[ggavrilis]

I'd like to pull my boat this weekend; however the creek is starting to freeze. At this time, it doesn't look like there is much ice.

Has anyone driven their boat thru thin ice? Can you actually damage the gel coat if you go real slow.

I don't won't to damage my boat, but would like to trailer down to VA beach next week.

If it helps any I live in Middle River and am trying to go to the public ramp at Wilson Point to pickup with trailer.

Thanks,
George

 

[Baldzilla 2.0]

I saw MartinM take his boat through ice well over an inch thick, very carefully. He did no damage, but I'm sure the practice will not come highly recommended! I took mine through real thin surface ice the other day just to run her, and I felt slightly uncomfortable every time i heard the crack and scrape!

 

[Giant Tuna]

Thin ice will cut like a knife at high speed. In my duck hunting days our wooden Chincoteague Sows were layered with a sheet of fibreglass mat which prevented ice damage of any kind.

I really am not sure whether ice can damage Gel coat and would like to hear others experiences. I would think it can.

Good luck.

GT

 

[27 sailfish]

I've gone through skim ice up to 1/4 inch thick with no damage.I go very slowly.The noise is awful - sounds like you are busting her open.

One trick is to bust the ice about 100 feet - then go slowly in reverse.Then goose the motors but pull her right down.Try to get the stern to squat down.The idea is to push a wave ahead of the boat.It will roll under the ice and often break it up.

You can also use a long 2x4 to break a path through skim ice.I saw a guy use a big piece of old carpet - tied to the front cleats.water pressure forced it along the bow and protected his gel coat.

 

[TEAM BILL ME]

I went through some skim ice last winter, guess it was around a quarter inch with no damage.
It does sound pretty awfull though.

 

[Hillbilly Boater]

The worst is when you have to back out of slip or off the trailer. I've done it with no damage but its sounds
and looks terrible. Next time I'll us a 2x4 off the stern.

 

[BUDC]

Ice

I've done salt water skim ice up to 1/4" in wood and fiberglass. Don't do wood --even bull pine gets deep grooves. The fiberglass was not damaged at all. It's great way to get rid of the bottom paint buildup at the waterline!!!
:thumbup:
budc

 

[heimdall]

Breaking ice in a fiberglass boat is no problem. The problems arise from the chunks you break and your wheel. 1/4 inch ice can damage your wheel.

Go slow and don't back up.

 

[VTSEAL]

I've done it a bunch of times in duck boats, and military boats. The surprise is when you hit a patch that is thicker than expected. There are a couple of spots where you can follow the pilot boat trails (Old Road Bay) and the going is smoother. The sound is horrendous. For me the bottom line is that the risks are pretty high overall -- is it worth the risk of damaging your boat; or is it worth the risk of a mechanical breakdown, or worse in those conditions? Be safe out there...

 

[HVF21221]

Middle river is frozen all the way across tonight as I look from Eastern Yacht club to Wilson point. I thought the winds from last night would prevent it from freezing but it did not. Tonight the wind is supposed to die down so it will probably get thicker. I'm not sure of the thickness.

 

[reel- y late]

dont try this in a fiberglass boat :yes:

 

[NachoLibre]

Like Baldzilla mentioned, I had to break through some ice just before Christmas to get to the marina at the top of the creek. Fortunately, somebody had come out that marina about an hour before, so I stayed in their path on my way up. However, the last 50 feet or so, it was all solid ice up to 1". I basically rode up on the ice, then backed off, let it crack, then kept repeating. The sound was horrible, but I was careful and there was no damage--even to the bottom paint.

If I had known there would be ice, I would have gotten a long 2x4 and had somebody come along to sit on the bow and break the ice...