For the ice angler who loves to fish but doesn’t like the hassle of setting up a permanent ice house or the fear of accidentally driving his vehicle into a frozen lake, Minnesota inventor Tom Roering has come up with the one-of-a-kind Wilcraft. The company’s website says the first three letters of the name stand for “Water, Ice and Land.” It was designed primarily as an ice fishing rig but it can be used for hunting or even served as an ice rescue vehicle.
Each machine is equipped with an insulated enclosure that’s quick and easy to set up, an EFI gas engine with a hydrostatic drive and a full suite of safety features. The vehicle is claimed to be safe to operate on ice barely thick enough for an average angler to walk on. Strategic weight placement, a long wheel base and wide footprint allow the Wilcraft to traverse rough terrain without putting a strain on the ice underneath. In addition, it is able to extract itself from the water should the ice collapse.
With a single-gallon tank the vehicle can travel up to 20 miles. Its insulated floor and tent-like cover keep you warm on the coldest day of ice fishing. Independent front and rear lift systems make it easy to move the Wilcraft on uneven ice. When it’s time to start fishing, just lower the floor and grab a rod.
If the fish aren’t biting, just fire up the vehicle and head to another part of the lake. The company is looking for angel investors and venture capitalists. For more information visit the company’s Facebook page or website.
