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

Regatta Watch: NIYA Tentatively Called ON for March 23-25

Photo: Gretchen Dorian                                                       We Sure Do!

Via NIYA Chair Tim McCormick:

The Northwest Regatta is tentatively called ON for March 23-25. The primary site is Gladstone, MI with Houghton Lake, MI as a secondary site. With all the warm weather this past weekend, we’re getting close! Final determination will be Wednesday, March 21st at Noon CDT.

Sail Brooklyn

While we wait for one last shot at a regatta, enjoy these 1912 photos with a stern-steerer on some sort of chassis.
Tip of the Helmet: Ann Gratton

 

Regatta Watch: Renegade Championship Postponed


Via Don Anderson:

The Renegade Championship has been postponed. Next update is Sunday, March 18. There’s a possibility that the 2018 Renegade Championship may be sailed even if the ISA  cancels for this season. Keep your runners sharp and your trailer in the ready position!

Regatta Watch: Broken Record Edition

Heeere’s Your Wednesday Regatta Update!

Both the ISA and Northwest Regattas have been postponed. Next update for the ISA regatta will be Sunday, March 18.

Via NIYA Chair Tim McCormick:

The NIYA Regatta is postponed until March 23-25. Gladstone, MI is the most promising site but they still have 2” of hard crust snow and the wind forecast for this weekend is light. Ice thickness is more than 18” and trucks are driving on and off the ice without a problem. We need a moderate melt for that site to become good enough for a regatta and the forecast for the next week indicates that should happen. Next update is Sunday, March 18 at 8pm CST.

“Ice boating in Door County could use a return to the glory years”

Photo: George Gerhardt 2018 Nite Nationals on Green Lake

Green Bay Press Gazette
Jon Gast, For USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Published 9:44 a.m. CT March 13, 2018

The Lama Wamah Ice Squadron’s bus has stood as the face of ice boating in Door County for many years.

When the wind was up and ice was smooth, you’d see the bus along the shore of the bay or one of the county’s inland lakes, having dispensed its load of intrepid ice yachtsmen led by Bjorn Johanson. Continue reading.

Nite Nationals Photo Gallery

Oshkosh Renegader George Gerhardt sent along these photos from the recent 2018 Nite National Regatta held on Green Lake in Green Lake, Wisconsin. George also shot a bunch of video which will be posted soon.

Regatta Watch: ISA Called ON for March 16-18


Via International Skeeter Association Chair Jay Yaeso:

The ISA Championship Regatta is tentatively called on for March 16-18, 2018. We are hopeful a venue comes into play between now and Wednesday. If you have potential conditions, please advise.
Final confirmation will be noon Wednesday, March 14.

Regatta Watch: Northwest Called ON for March 16-18


Via Northwest Regatta Chair Tim McCormick:

The Northwest Regatta is tentatively called ON for March 16-18. The primary sites are in Upper Michigan but we need some melting there to clear up the ice. Final determination will be Wednesday, March 14th at Noon CDT.

4LIYC Awards Banquet Reservation Form

Please join us for the 2018 Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Awards Banquet
Date: Saturday, April 21, 2018
Place: Springer’s Resort on Lake Kegonsa
3097 Sunnyside Street
Stoughton, WI
Social Hour: 5 – 6:30 PM
Dinner: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Awards to follow
Please join us as we celebrate the end of another iceboat racing season with our good friends at Springer’s on Lake Kegonsa.
Cost – $25 per adult (excludes coffee, beer, milk, soda, wine and mixed drinks)
BUFFET (all items included)
Roast beef and baked fish
Plated garden salad, green beans,
mashed potatoes, rice blend
Rolls and butter
Dessert
BANQUET RESERVATION FORM
Please print and fill out banquet reservation form and mail payment to Jori Lenon.

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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