iceboat.org: The world's most comprehensive source about ice boat sailing.

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.

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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?

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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.

Classifieds

Common Questions:

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

FAQ

Regatta Watch

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

Regatta Dates

Iceboat Classes

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

An Explanation of Iceboat Classes

The Rules.

The purpose of iceboat racing rules is to prevent collisions.

The Racing Rules

Ice Yacht Clubs

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

“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.

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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.

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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

2024 ISA Day 2 & DN Western Region Day 1 Report

by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 15, 2024

DN Junior Sailor Maggie McGary US2453. Photo: Gretchen Dorian

ISA Results
DN Western Region Results
Saturday brought a different set of weather conditions—overcast and warmer, but with a dampness that felt more chilling than the 10°F temperatures of Friday. Thankfully, the wind remained steady, making it easier to run races efficiently.

I assisted on the DN course, while Pat Heppert, Jim McDonough, and others pitched in to manage the ISA course. Fred Stritt and Julie Jankowski, our dedicated DN Western Region weather mark crew, had the best vantage point of the day. Their position near the ISA pits allowed them to witness races on both courses.

On the DN side, we completed an impressive 10 races and were back at Water’s Edge Restaurant (add this place to the list of iceboaters favorite bars) by 2:30 PM. Chris Berger US5166 and Steve Orlebeke US4926 battled fiercely for the top spot throughout the day, while Dale Gordon and Alexander Leach are tied for first in the Silver fleet heading into the final day.

A special highlight was junior DN sailor Maggie McGary US2453, who placed second in the Silver fleet during the first race. Maggie is racing alongside her dad, John McGary, and it’s safe to say she’s the one showing him the ropes!

Veteran iceboat photographer Gretchen Dorian is also here capturing the action. Yesterday, she focused on the DN course, and today, she plans to shoot the ISA races. You can check out her amazing photos from yesterday here:.

Today marks the final day of racing for both the ISA and the DN Western Region Championship.

2024 ISA Day 1 Report

by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 14, 2024

2024 ISA & Renegade Championship Information
Day One Report – ISA
Friday, December 13, 2024
Day one of the ISA was marked by brutally cold conditions. Racing was postponed initially as we waited for the temperatures to rise to at least 10°F. After a delay to wait for the temperature to ride, a quick skipper’s meeting was held, and the Race Committee efficiently sent everyone out to the course.

At exactly noon, George Gerhardt dropped the flag for the B and C Skeeters to start their first race. Throughout the day, temperatures gradually rose while the breeze picked up, allowing each fleet to complete three races—except for the A Skeeters, who were unable to start their third race due to running out of daylight.

Meanwhile, the DNs are set to to sail on a separate course today for their Western Region Championship.

ISA & Renegade Championship: Day 1 AM Update

by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 13, 2024

Via ISA Regatta Chair John Dennis

The regatta is postponed this morning, Friday, December 13 because temperatures are below 10 F.
Skipper’s meeting is at 11 AM at the launch and first race is noon.

Regatta Watch: 2024 ISA & Renegade Championship Called ON for Dec 13 – 15

by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 11, 2024

LAUNCH & REGISTRATION INFO

The 2024 International Skeeter Association (ISA) Regatta and Renegade Championship have been called ON for this weekend, December 13-15 on Lake Minnewaska, Starbuck, Minnesota!
Notice of Race
Sailing Instructions & Conditions

ISA & Renegade Championship Regatta: A three-day event beginning Friday, December 13.
This is a regatta for the following classes. A, B, and C Skeeters, Renegades, and Nites.
The DN Western Region Championship has also been called on at the same location. We will be sharing the launch, the fun, and possibly the race course with the DN fleet. The Race Committees will decide on the ice whether all fleets will race on one course or have separate courses based upon conditions.
DO NOT DRIVE ON THE ICE! Back your trailers on the ice.

Important: Registration is ONLINE ONLY and closes Friday morning at 7 AM CT. There will be no in-person registration, so please ensure you register online before the deadline.

Everything else you need to know – launch, lodging and registration posted here.

Regatta Watch: 2024 ISA Called ON for Starbuck, MN

by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 8, 2024

Big lake, big ice, big hiking on Lake Winnebago at the 2010 Northwest Regatta. Photo: Gretchen Dorian

Via ISA Regatta Chair John Dennis

The 2024 International Skeeter Association Regatta has been tentatively called on for Lake Minnewaska in Starbuck, MN, from December 13–15. This is a regatta for the Skeeter, Nite, and Renegade classes. This is the same venue where the 2024 DN Western Challenge took place.

Adding to the excitement, the 2024 DN Western Region Championship has also been called on with this regatta, creating a unique opportunity for camaraderie and fun.

Additionally, if conditions are favorable, the Renegade fleet may choose to hold their 2024 Championship at Lake Puckaway in Princeton, Wisconsin.

Final confirmation for the regatta will be posted by noon on Wednesday, December 11, 2024.

Regatta Watch: 2024 Renegade Championship Postponed

by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 4, 2024

Renegade Regatta Race Committee Chair Don Anderson has reported that Lake Puckaway is unsuitable for sailing due to numerous holes. As a result, the 2024 Renegade Championship has been postponed. The next update will be posted on Sunday evening, December 8, 2024.

4LIYC Meeting Update! Zoom for Dec 4

by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 3, 2024

ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION!
4LIYC Members: This week’s meeting will be held on Zoom only, giving everyone a bit more time in the shop to prep for the season. Club members are gearing up for the first sails of the season—at the DN Western Challenge in Minnesota and a possible Renegade and Nite regatta on Lake Puckaway. The Zoom format also gives us the chance to hear ice reports from out-of-town members. Check your email from Tuesday morning for the Zoom link!

What to know:
4LIYC Meeting
Wednesday, December 4
6:30 PM
Zoom Only

Regatta Watch: 2024 Nite Nationals Tentatively Called On

by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 2, 2024

Via International Nite Class Commodore Maureen Bohleber:

The 2024 Nite Nationals are tentatively called on for December 7-8. Come a day early and enjoy some pick up races to get those spider webs out of the way.
Lake Puckaway, WI is looking good. Located west of Green Lake it has produced early ice before with regatta performance ice. Presently it has at least 2 inches of solid ice near shore and looks like a 10. We will give you an additional update on Wednesday 12/4. There is a good possibility we may share the course with the Renegades.

Regatta Watch: 2024 Renegade Championship Tentatively Called ON

by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 1, 2024

The 2024 International Renegade Association Championship is tentatively called on for Saturday, December 7, and Sunday, December 8, 2024.

The potential location is Lake Puckaway near Princeton, WI. While final confirmation will be posted by Thursday, December 5, at noon, our scouts expect to have an update by Wednesday, December 4.

Stay tuned for updates as we finalize the plans. Dust off your gear, prepare your Renegades, and get ready for a weekend of sailing

Minnesota First!

by Deb Whitehorse | Dec 1, 2024

Who claims the title of the first iceboat sailed in North America this season? That’s hard to say, but Minnesota definitely takes the win for the first ice! Reports of ice are popping up all over the state, lighting up Facebook feeds. While the honor of being first is unclear, we do have a report from Pat Heppert, who got his mini-Skeeter on the ice today:

“A fantastic day to sail today. A little bit cold. My repaired bulkhead is good. All my mods for single Allen wrench assembly are good. I love iceboating!”

The season is officially underway—are your runner sharp?