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:
It’s Building Season!
4LIYC Meeting : November 2025

4LIYC Shipstore: Order custom iceboat shirts, hats, and gear. More information.
BURGEE:
 Order your 4LIYC Burgee
Pay Your Dues Online

2019 Nite Nationals Wrap Up & Photo Gallery

Nite Nationals Gold Fleet Champion, Tom Nordlie 560              Photo: Rick Myslinski

Results

Congratulations to all competitors who hung tough during a week of warm temperatures and rain leading up to the regatta. Many thanks to co- PROs Doug Kolner and Pat Heppert for setting courses, dropping starting blocks, and keeping things running efficiently. Thanks Grant Frautschi and Lars Barber for making the drive to Kegonsa every day before the regatta to check the landings and ice. Thanks to Nite officers John Hayashi (Mimi too!), Mike Peters, Maureen Bohleber, and Don Sanford for their help. Thanks to Steve and Mary Jane Schalk for staffing the off-shore scoring office from Fontana, WI. Thanks to Daniel Hearn for the use of the DN Western Region ATV, marks, and equipment. Thanks to the members of 4LIYC for their continued strong support for the sport of iceboat racing by ensuring the Nite regatta had the best course. And finally, thanks to everyone who jumped into action on Sunday to help take the trailers off the ice when the landing deteriorated. Watching the ingenuity and cooperation was truly iceboating at its finest!

Keeping ‘er movin…

Photos: Rick Myslinski

Nite Nats Day 2: AM Report

Photo: Tim Stanton

Results

The flag dropped at 9:10 AM Saturday and the Nites were able to complete 3 races in each fleet before the wind shut down and the ice became crusty. Racing begins at 9 AM this morning. Time to head to the lake and see what the day brings!

Nite Nats Day 1: AM Report

Nites & 4LIYC Skeeters and Renegades on Lake Kegonsa

Good morning from Four Lakes, site of the 2019 Nite Nationals. Doug Kolner, Pat Hepper, and I are lending a hand as Race Committee for the regatta. Temperatures are below freezing this morning which has tightened up the ice. Mary Jane Schalk will handle the tabulating duties from Skeeter Haven in Fontana, WI. If you’d like to follow along, check out this link for updated scores during the day.
http://dniceboat.org/isaniya/2019NiteNationals.htm

Naming Rights

The Horse With No Name.

Attention Nite National sailors and 4LIYC members: During this weekend’s regatta and club racing, Ken Whitehorse is holding a mini-fund raiser for the Mary B Stern Steerer Foundation by giving you a chance to help name his new Skeeter (formerly Bob Kau’s Skeeter). For only $1, you can suggest a name for the blue Skeeter and all the money will go to support the Mary B Stern-Steerer Foundation. See Ken on the ice this weekend for more information.

4LIYC Racing Called On for 16-17 March @ Kegonsa

Look for a blue Skeeter this weekend.  

4LIYC racing is called on for 16 – 17 March on Lake Kegonsa. First race is at 10 AM
Use the Amundson landing. DO NOT DRIVE ON THE ICE!
The club will set up a separate course from the Nite Nationals regatta. Should be a fun weekend for all!

Century Sailor

Beautiful ice, a sunny day, fair winds, and an iceboat rigged and ready to go; watch Mel Nichols (who happens to be 100 years old) sail a DN on Michigan’s Wolf Lake this week. Thanks to Mel’s son-in-law, Bruce Brown, for sharing the video.

 

4LIYC Ice Check Friday 15 March


If you’d like to see what’s going on at Lake Kegonsa, go to the Amundson Landing tomorrow, Friday 15 March at 11:30 AM for an ice check. There may be an opportunity for club racing this weekend. Stand by for news.

Regatta Watch: Nite Nationals Called ON for Kegonsa

Nites line up at the 2019 ISA. Photo: Pat Heppert

The Nite Nationals have been called on for Lake Kegonsa. More information, see the Nite website. PLEASE DO NOT DRIVE ON THE ICE!!!!

2019 Nite Nationals
Sat 3/16 – Sun 3/17
Location: Kegonsa, WI
MUST PRE-REGISTER!!!!
Money will not be accepted on Saturday. (Maureen will never make the race on time). Please pay by paypal below (you don’t need an account just your card).

Late fee = $10 after 7pm Thursday 3/14

Launch Location: TBA
8am Skippers Meeting
9am Silver Fleet Start, Gold Fleet to follow

Hotel info: Due to Spring Break and High School Basketball State Tourney, we are having a hard time finding Lodging… We are suggesting finding your own hotel. There will not be a central hotel for all to stay. Plenty of hotels with rooms available, but not one that can block off a huge # of rooms for us.

Friday Night Early Arrivals: TBA
Banquet/Dinner: Essen Haus 6pm Saturday

Registration due by 7pm Thursday Night 3/14
All competitors must pay online or at regatta head
$10 late fee if paying after 7pm Thursday 3/14

Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed

ROSEMARY, skippered by Andy Gratton at the 2019 Northwest Regatta.            Photo: Pat Heppert

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to March 23 and 24, 2019. The next update will be Sunday, March 17. Check back here at that time.
Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Online Ship’s Store

Regatta Dates 2025

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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

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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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