Welcome to iceboat.org

The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club is one of the most active iceboat clubs in North America. We’ve been building and racing iceboats for over 100 years in Madison, Wisconsin, USA.

Ice Is Never 100% Safe.

Our ice reports are strictly for iceboat racers. Recreational iceboaters, kite boarders, cross country skiers, and ice fishermen should not rely on our ice reports. We have safety equipment. Do you?

Buy or Sell Your Iceboat

One of the best pages in North America to buy or sell iceboats and their parts. There’s also a complete list of vendors who will supply iceboats, sails, and their components.

Common Questions:

How can I get started? How fast can they go? How much do they cost? Is it safe?

Regatta Watch

Information about the ISA, NIYA, WSSA, Nite, and DN regattas.

Iceboat Classes

Learn about Skeeters, DNs, Stern Steerers, Renegades, Nites, and Ice Optimists.

The Rules.

The purpose of iceboat racing rules is to prevent collisions.

Ice Yacht Clubs

The best way to learn about iceboating and make life long friendships is to join a local club.

Why We Sail.

“If all our ice were glass, slightly wet, and all our air reasonably steady with lifters just where needed, sailing would be perfect. Sometimes we do find this, and it is worth waiting years to have. Meanwhile we must accept the more ordinary ice conditions, ordinary weather and wind, and gracefully accept snow, sometimes for weeks. Our ideal comes from time to time, the Great Maker gives only so much of the very best.” Charles H. Johnson.

Iceboating for Kids

Ice Optimists were created specifically as a youth trainer, designed to be easily built using commonly available materials, and to keep costs to a minimum.

UPCOMING:
4LIYC Meeting : Jan 28 @ Breakwater  More information.
4LIYC Shipstore: Order custom iceboat shirts, hats, and gear. More information.
BURGEE:
 Order your 4LIYC Burgee
Pay Your Dues Online

WSSA Regatta Postponed

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to January 11 and 12, 2020. The next update will be Sunday, January 5. Check back here at that time.

Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

News for Nites

2020 Nite Nationals

We are calling on the Nite Nationals for January 3-5, 2019 for Lake Puckaway, Princeton, Wisconsin. The sheet of ice has held up well for all the conditions it has gone through during the past few days. Currently there is 6 inches of ice with about a half inch of water on top. The landings still have thickness and are solid. It has not been fully scouted or sailed since the weather events but will be scouted in the beginning of the week. We have another weather event coming in tonight (Sunday) into tomorrow which could make the decision for us. However, we felt an early announcement should be made. This will be a 2 1/2 day event with races starting at 1 PM CT on Friday. The final call will be Wednesday January 1st at 8 PM CT. Watch the class website and Facebook page for updates and NOR’s.

Nite BOD

Lake Puckaway on Sunday, December 29, 2019

On The News: Skeeter Iceboat Club & Buddy Melges


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.

Perfect Puckaway

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.

 

Boxing Day Skeeter & 4LIYC Ice Checkers Have the Day Off

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.

Super Weekend of Sailing

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.

 

Online Ship’s Store

Regatta Dates 2026

  • DN Western Challenge
    December 5 – 7, 2025
    Information
  • 2025 International Skeeter Association Regatta
    December 2025
    Information
  • DN Western Region Championship
    January 3-4, 2026
    Information
  • International Skeeter Association Regatta
    Scheduled January 9–11, 2026
    Held on first good ice, week-to-week updates as conditions allow.
    Information
  • DN NA Championship
    January 24-31, 2026 Information
  • DN World & European Championship
    February 14 – 21. 2026 Information
  • DN & Ice Optimist Junior Championship
    Information
  • Northwest Regatta Information
  • Nite Nationals Information
  • WSSA Championship Regatta
    Information.

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National Iceboat Authority Web Page



Click for 4LIYC Meeting Dates

2024-2025

  • January 2 THURSDAY Honor Roll Nominations
  • January 15 Deadline for By-Law or Racing Rules Amendment Submission
  • January 29
  • February 12 Business Meeting 
  • February 26
  • March 12 Last Meeting of the Season

Location: In person at the Elks Lodge 711 Jenifer St, Madison, WI 53703

Time: 6:30 PM

YOU ARE SKIPPER NUMBER

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Lake Access Permits

A year-round permit required for designated launch sites in the City of Madison and Dane County Parks. Locations include:

    • Lake Mendota Warner Park Mendota County Park
    • Lake Monona Tonyawatha Tr. Olin Park
    • Lake Waubesa Goodland Park

Purchase Lake Access Permit Online.

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