Brighten up this gloomy, rainy, warm Sunday with Buddy Melges as he talks iceboating. Video
(WKOW) — An ice boat by definition is built similar to a sail boat, but fitted with skis or runners to sail over ice instead of water.
South eastern Wisconsin lakes are some of the best places to see them in action.
“It’s well-known as the ice boat center of the world,” Harry Melges, Jr., an ice boater said.
While we wait for ice, check out this slice of iceboat heaven from Doug Kolner who sailed his Renegade on Lake Puckaway yesterday (December 27, 2019). Doug, 4LIYC Nite sailors Lars Barber and Maureen Bohleber took advantage of Puckaway’s Hollywood ice before the rain and snow moves in today.
Doug Kolner’s Renegade COLD FUSION hits the ice for the first time this season. Photos: Nite Iceboats Facebook page
The new Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club burgee flew over Puckaway Friday. Get yours here.
Waiting for the Great Ice Maker.
Ken, Paul, Daniel Hearn, and Ron Rosten took advantage of the 48F weather here on Thursday, December 26 to assemble Ken’s Class A Skeeter, WARRIOR to learn how the components and sails fit together. Everything went well and now we wait for an ice-making cold snap to get runners on the ice here in the Four Lakes area.
Needless to say, there’s no ice check scheduled for today. We’ve learned that Kegonsa had between 3.5 – 4″ of ice a few days ago but the warm temperatures do not inspire confidence. Rain is in the forecast as well. So, we continue to wait.
ACE OF SPADES & LITTLE WIND line up to race.
The 2020 Northwest Regatta is tentatively scheduled for January 17-19, 2020. NIYA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk has released the 2020 NIYA Notice of Race and NIYA Agenda. Next update is on Sunday, January 12, 2020.
Northwest Page
4LIYC Renegader and Super Cub flyer Jeff Russell took advantage of the weekend’s beautiful weather to visit the fleet at Lake Puckaway where Nites and Renegades raced over the weekend.
Don Anderson in EASY RIDER
Closer to home, Jim Nordhaus put the CHEESE SLICER on Lake Wingra.
Jim Nordhaus: Some of us locals sailed on Lake Wingra Saturday and Sunday. I wanted to try out The “Cheese Slicer”.
It performed beautifully and many people came out to enjoy the boat. We also had the Palmer out along with other boats.
National Iceboat Authority Web Page
Location: In person at the Elks Lodge 711 Jenifer St, Madison, WI 53703
Time: 6:30 PM
YOU ARE SKIPPER NUMBER
TO ROUND THE MARK SINCE NOVEMBER 1999.
