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: 2023 WSSA Postponed to Feb 11-12

The 2023 Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 11 and 12. The next update will be Sunday, February 5. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence. Green Lake, Geneva, and Green Bay are just freezing. Potential nice ice coming. Petenwell only received 1″ of snow this week.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Regatta Watch: 2023 Northwest Postponed to Feb 10-12

Photo: Will Johnston

The Northwestern Ice Yachting Regatta is postponed one week to February 10, 11, and 12, 2023. Potential sites for that date are Green Bay, Green Lake, and Geneva Lake.

Steve Schalk
NIYA Secretary/Treasurer

Harken’s Postcard from the DN Worlds

The media team at Harken tells the story of the 2023 DN World Championship in this widely shared video. Many thanks to the members of the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club who helped make this regatta happen behind the scenes.  Link.

 

Speed Symposium January 23, 2023

2023 DN World Championship on Lake Kegonsa  Photo: Cathy Firmbach
Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club and area ice yacht club members are invited to the Red Gear Racing Speed Symposium tonight, Monday, January 23, 2023.
Date: Tonight, Monday, January 23, 2023
Location: 1352 E. Wilson Street, Madison, WI

Time 7pm

Learn all the secrets from the best.  See INSANITY, the most decorated Skeeter ever.
Beverages provided.

Regatta Watch: 2023 WSSA Postponed to Feb 4 – 5

Unfortunately, the Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 4 and 5. The next update will be Sunday, January 29. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence. Northern lakes have crusty snow at least an inch deep, southern lakes need more thickness. Pewaukee is clear and flat.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

4LIYC Racing Update

Photo: Ethan Brodsky

4LIYC racing is called ON for the Renegade and Nite classes for Saturday, January 21, 2023 on Lake Kegonsa. Use the Amundson landing and roll trailers  on the ice.  Do not drive on the ice! There will be two rotations starting at 10 AM, followed by a lunch break at Springer’s, and then two more rotations.
There will be no club racing for Sunday, January 22, 2023 in deference to the 2023 DN World Championship. It’s your chance to see what’s going to be some incredible action from the top DN sailors in the world.

Online Ship’s Store

Regatta Dates 2025

Subscribe

Enter your email address to subscribe to iceboat.org and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 283 other subscribers

National Iceboat Authority Web Page



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

YOU ARE SKIPPER NUMBER

Web Analytics

TO ROUND THE MARK SINCE NOVEMBER 1999.



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.

Search