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:
SOUTHERN WISCONSIN SWAP MEET, MADISON, WI:
Fall 2024
4LIYC Meeting :
November 2024
4LIYC Shipstore: Order custom iceboat shirts, hats, and gear. More information.
BURGEE:
 Order your 4LIYC Burgee
Pay Your Dues Online

Regatta Watch: NIYA Called ON for Waconia, MN Feb 23-25

DN Class: Spouses Julie Richards & Dick Wollam draw 1 & 2 for the start at the 2010 Northwest

The Northwestern Ice Yachting Association has called the 2024 championship regatta for February 23-25th at Lake Waconia Minnesota. This is the final call, launch site is Lake Waconia regional park on Paradise lane. Hotel information will be available tomorrow February 21st.

The ISA Championship is postponed to March 1st-3rd 2024.

Steve Schalk

Secretary/treasurer

NIYA & ISA

Wooden Shoe Rather Be Iceboating?

“Wooden shoe rather be iceboating?” Erich Schloemer on Facebook

Follow on Facebook
Every year, our friends from the Dutch ice sailing club De Robben undertakes a remarkable journey to Sweden. It’s become a tradition that brings together families and friends for a week of ice sailing. The historic Dutch iceboats steeped in heritage and craftsmanship are at the heart of this tradition.
This week, they are in Herrfallet, Sweden. New this year is one of the most spectacular iceboats I’ve ever seen, a wooden shoe! Club member Maarten De Groot writes:

We have some Dutchmen walking on wooden shoes. This skipper has a cheesemaker farm and a wooden shoe farm where he produces wooden shoes. He made this big wooden shoe for his farm and transformed it into an iceboat. He is sailing on this with his wife and two kids!
We have great conditions with 95 people and 67 iceboats!

No wind, no problem. Time for socializing on the ice.

Regatta Watch: WSAA Postponed

The 2024 Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to March 2, 3. The next update will be Sunday, February 25. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence. If anyone knows of suitable ice please let us know.

Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Feb 18, 2024 Regatta Watch: NIYA, ISA & Renegade Championship Called ON for Feb 23-25

NORTHWEST
The Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Race Committee has called the 2024 regatta on for a yet to be determined Minnesota location north and west of St. Cloud. The dates are February 23rd-25th.

The lakes are still to be final checked for surface and launch conditions. There are potential lakes in the Alexandria area, where lodging may be an issue, and lakes further north.

The final call will be made as soon as possible, but Wednesday February 21st by noon at the latest.

ISA
The International Skeeter Association Race Committee has made the same call on for February 23rd-25th. In the event the Northwest is held the ISA will defer and postpone.

Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
NIYA & ISA

A Big Thanks to NIYA & ISA Ice Checkers


A message from NIYA & ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:

The Race Committees for the Northwest and ISA regattas, would like to acknowledge all the efforts of our ice checkers who have been scouting and sailing potential regatta sites. Pat Heppert and Chris Wiberg spent an entire weekend driving the width of Minnesota setting up their boats and test sailing multiple lakes. Terry Reynolds and Mike Peters sailed Little Bay De Noc, and Jim McDonagh drove up to Lake Osakis on Wednesday at dawn sailed his DN all over the lake, then drove back in a whiteout. We all owe them a big thank you for the huge efforts made to find a place for us to have an event. Many thanks to you guys.

Steve Schalk

Secretary/Treasurer

NIYA & ISA

Feb 15 – 4LIYC Meeting Tonight on Zoom


Happy day-after Valentines Day. Our normally scheduled meeting should have been last night, but to keep everyone on good terms with their significant others and out of the doghouse, we scheduled for tonight. Club members in good standing should have received an email with the Zoom link.

4LIYC ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING – 2 PROPOSALS
Club members in good standing will vote on two items, a dues increase and the induction of Ken Whitehorse into the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Honor Roll.
Ken Whitehorse Nominated for 4LIYC Honor Roll

BY LAWS PROPOSAL
A By Laws Proposal has been submitted by Daniel Hearn and Lars Barber. The club will take a vote on the proposal at the February 15, 2024 4LIYC Business Meeting.

Proposal to change Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Bylaws, Article 3, Section 4
Section 4 – Effective 11 /1 /96 dues shall be as follows:
• Senior member – $20.00
• Junior member – $5.00 (3/27/96)

Change to

Section 4 – Effective 11/1/2024 dues shall be as follows:
• Senior member – $30.00
• Junior member – $5.00 (3/27/96)

Reason: Expenses have increased significantly since 1996.
Submitted by: Daniel Hearn and Lars Barber

Regatta Watch: 2024 WSSA Postponed to Feb 24-25


The “P” word strikes again.

The 2024 Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 24 – 25. The next update will be Sunday, February 18. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Feb 14, 2024 Regatta Watch: Postponement for ISA & NIYA

Patience

NORTHWEST
The Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Race Committee has postponed the 2024 Regatta to February 23rd, 24th, and 25th. A combination of incoming snow, snowy travel, 5.5 rated surface with high winds forecast led to the postponement.

ISA
The International Skeeter Association Race Committee has postponed one week to February 23rd-25th. If the Northwest is held that weekend the ISA will defer.

Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
NIYA & ISA

Regatta Watch: 2024 WSSA Tentatively Called On for Feb 17 – 18

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta for 2024 has been tentatively called on for February 17 and 18. The possible site selected is Lake Osakis, MN. Final confirmation will be made by 1 PM Thursday, February 15. Check back here after that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association has also tentatively scheduled their regatta for the same weekend, that regatta takes precedence.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Regatta Watch: NIYA Or ISA Called ON for Feb 16-18 in MN or WI

NORTHWEST:
The 2024 Northwestern Regatta is on for Lake Osakis Minnesota for February 16th, 17th and 18th. The final call with details on the launch site located off Lake street in downtown Osakis will be made on Wednesday by noon.

INTERNATIONAL SKEETER ASSOCIATION & RENEGADE CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2024 ISA Regatta and Renegade Championship is also called on for a location to be determined in Minnesota or Wisconsin. If the Northwest is confirmed on Wednesday, the ISA will defer and postpone.

NEXT UPDATE: Wednesday, February 14 by 12 PM CT.

Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
NIYA and ISA

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Regatta Dates 2024

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Click for 4LIYC Meeting Dates

2023-2024

  • November 8 Zoom
  • November 22 Elections
  • December 6
  • December 20
  • January 3 Honor Roll Nominations
  • January 17 Deadline for By-Law or Racing Rules Amendment Submission
  • January 31 – in person, no Zoom
  • February 15 Business Meeting – Zoom only
  • March 6 – in person, no Zoom. Last meeting of the season.

Location: In person at Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club or Online using the Zoom App Members please email debwhitehorse@iceboat.org for the link.

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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