Hi, many thanks to you all for your responses and support.
Yes it is a diesel RF1, the photographs are from before it was stripped down; a crack had developed in the block which I have now had stitched. It looks a good job and all being well we should be okay, I’m starting to put it back together now. I only know of three RF1s so I would like to keep this one going, it is a lovely engine.
I did get Ice Dragon from June Picken about 20 years ago but didn’t keep in touch with her so many thanks for the email Paul H. It is thanks to people like the Picken family, with their enthusiasm, that so much of the canal heritage has been saved.
The counter stern is original and, for an iceboat, it is in fact quite stable. It swims like a fish, shouting “whoa” seems to work better than reverse gear!
I know that Three Fellows Carrying, Long Eaton/Sawley, had the boat at some time, 70s/80s, probably not under the name Ice Dragon.
For the first few years my wife and I travelled hundreds of miles on it, camping with just an airbed and a Trangia stove, brilliant! We then took it out of the water when we started our family, they are now very keen to get it going again.
Paul you must tell me about your interest in iceboats!
Regards, Adie.