it was invented by the dutch. their waterways, holland's main roads, were frozen all winter. hte Dutch made up their minds to sail their boats, no matter what. with runners fastened beneath the beneath the bow, or front, a boat became a sleigh. an"iron shoe" was fastened at the stern, or back. sails bulging in the the wind. iceboats became a familiar sight on the canals. soon the dutch sailed iceboats just for fun.