Skimming along smooth ice at 35 miles per hour—higher speeds may be reached on good snow—it doesn't slack-en speed when approaching open, water. Its momentum causes it to plane lightly over the surface and the wave created at the bow cushions any shock which might occur when the craft climbs back onto solid ice. The hull, made of oak crossbeams, and longitudinal stringers of spruce, withstands buffeting by rough ice and engine vibration. Sides, deck and cabin are of 1/4-inch plywood. Three layers of plywood form the bow halfway to the stern,, with two layers for the balance of the bottom. The bottom and parts of the side are also convered with three layers of 16-gauge galvanized iron. Welded steel piping forms a mount for the 134-horsepower Menasco aircraft engine. Aluminum piping is used for propeller guards and braces for the fin and rudder.
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images and info provided by Popular Mechanics ARCHIVE from the Zetu Harrys Collection
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