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

IMPORTANT UPDATE – 4LIYC Scrub Racing for Jan 28


Attention Attention Attention
Official 4LIYC racing has been cancelled for January 27-28. However, club members will scrub race on Sunday, January 28 on Lake Monona from the Olin Park Launch.

4LIYC members will be scrub racing tomorrow, Sunday, January 27,  starting at 10 AM. The Skeeters packed up and removed their trailers late morning, concerned about the weight of their trailers. Surface condition and thickness appear to be fine, but make your own call. This is strictly an unofficial gathering. All are welcome.
Daniel Hearn 4LIYC Commodore

IMPORTANT UPDATE: 4LIYC Racing Called on For Jan 27 – 28

Mark Isabell in HELLSBELLS

ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION

Ice checkers this morning found that the ice on Lake Monona is surprisingly good. All of the snow is gone. The surface is hard and getting smoother by the minute as nature’s Zamboni is doing its work. There will be some wet spots on top of the hard ice. It will not take much breeze to make it go on this racetrack.

The Skeeters have decided to club race starting tomorrow; their races will be scored. Other Fleet Captains should poke their members and notify Deb if they intend to race for points one or both days.

Club equipment will be on the ice Saturday morning.

4LIYC Racing Called on For Jan 27 – 28

Paul Krueger in RAMBLN Photo: Dave Delap

4LIYC racing is scheduled for Lake Monona on January 27-28, 2024. As we did last weekend, we will postpone racing until Sunday, January 28, due to the forecast for Saturday, which predicts fog and minimal wind. However, ice checkers will inspect the ice on Sunday morning to determine if we can race. We advise all club members to wait until the ice is inspected before sailing. If the ice is sailable, Sunday’s first race is at 10 AM.

 

Regatta Watch: 2024 ISA & Renegade Championship is POSTPONED

Rob Evans sails his A Class Skeeter on Lake Monona, January 15, 2022. Photo: Joe Berger

The 2024 International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championship have been postponed until February 2, 3, 4 because of foggy conditions and  a poor wind forecast in the Madison area. Next update is Sunday evening, January 28, 2024.
John Dennis ISA Regatta Chair

4LIYC Preliminary Racing Scores Published

Photo: Kenton Fowler via Instagram.

UPDATE: January 24: Scores have been revised. Thank you for your patience.
DNs, Nites, Skeeters, and Renegades each sailed three races on Sunday, January 21, 2024. Preliminary scores posted here. We are missing some names in the DN fleet. Please let us know who you are. Thank you for joining us on the race course. If you’d like to become a member of the 4LIYC, just click here and pay online. It’s only $21 and helps to keep our equipment maintained.

Regatta Watch: Northwest Postponed

The Northwest Ice Yachting Association Regatta is postponed to February 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2024. There will be a new update from the Race Committee next Sunday January 28th, 2024.

Steve Schalk

Secretary/Treasurer

Northwestern Ice Yachting Association

Regatta Watch: ISA & Renegade Championship Called ON for Jan 26 – 28 on Lake Monona

Steve Schalk sailing a B Skeeter on Lake Kegonsa at the 2023 ISA. Photo: Will Johnston

The International Skeeter Association regatta and Renegade Championship have been called on for January 26, 27, 28 on Lake Monona in Madison, WI. Final confirmation will be posted by noon on Wednesday, January 24. The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club held racing on Lake Monona today in all fleets. There is 8″ of ice.  Next update: Wednesday, January 24.
John Dennis ISA Regatta Chair

Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed

Fred Stritt bought the late Marv Luck’s Stern-Steerer. Fred set her up on Lake Delavan this weekend where she was the belle of the ball.  Photo from Midwest Hard Water Sailing Facebook page.

 

 

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 3-4. The next update will be Sunday, January 28. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.

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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