Wilcraft

The Wilcraft is a self-contained ice-fishing vehicle, developed over ten years with input from experienced ice anglers. It was meant to replace the ATVs, snowmobiles and pickups usually driven onto frozen lakes, which sink if the ice breaks. The archive's text describes the 2007 model.

Design

The body is powder-coated aluminium with a smooth underside and 11 in (28 cm) of ground clearance. It weighs about 500 lb (227 kg) and carries 600 lb (272 kg). It is 11 ft 6 in (3.51 m) long and 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m) wide. An 8 hp engine with electric and recoil start drives through a two-speed gearbox with reverse and a locking differential, and hydraulic disc brakes are fitted. Top speed is 20 mph (32 km/h). The wide stance gives a ground pressure of only about 1.8 psi, so the makers said ice that can be walked on will support it.

Use

At the touch of a switch the wheels are raised or lowered, setting the hull down on the ice for fishing. Three 10-inch fishing holes go through the 2-inch insulated floor, and a quick-folding canvas enclosure keeps the anglers warm. The makers said the crew could pull in their lines and be moving to a new spot within seconds. If the vehicle breaks through thin ice it floats and can be pulled out easily. It was also promoted for hunters reaching remote sloughs and goose fields, and came with a three-year warranty.