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

Will Johnston ISA & Renegade Championship Photo Gallery


Class A Skeeters in perfect harmony. Photo: Will Johnston

WILL JOHNSTON PHOTOS

Photographer Will Johnston joined us for a second year in a row for the 2023 ISA and Renegade Championship. He even hitched a ride in an airplane (friend of Jeff Russell’s) for some aerial shots. Will has generously shared a link to all of the photos. See all of them here. If you use Will’s photos for anything other than personal posts, please get in touch with me so I can give you his contact information.

C Skeeter on Lake Kegonsa. Photo: Will Johnston

Regatta Watch: ’23 WSSA Called ON for Jan 21 – 22 @ Petenwell

Photo: Gretchen Dorian

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta for 2023 has been tentatively called on for January 21 and 22. The site selected is Lake Petenwell off the Lure restaurant. Final confirmation will be made by 1 PM Thursday, January 19. Check back here after that time. Ice thickness on the lake is 11″ or more, thicker at the landing which is a shallow beach off the Lure. There is 1/4″ to 1/2″ of soft snow currently on the ice. Rain and snow is forecast for later this week.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

ISA Fly By Video

Incredible drone footage from the 2023 International Skeeter Association Regatta & Renegade Championship on Friday, January 13, Lake Kegonsa.
Drone footage and editing by Logan Lien. Video Link
Logan’s Youtube Channel is @loganlien1848.
Instagram:@ loganlien

Regatta Watch: ’23 Northwest Postponed to January 27 – 29

Boehmke B Skeeters on Green Lake in 2013. Photo: Gretchen Dorian

The 2023 Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Regatta is postponed to January 27th, 28th and 29th. The Race Committee is keeping the standard one week window between the ISA and Northwest Regattas.

Steve Schalk

NIYA

Secretary/Treasurer

ISA & Renegade Championship: Day 3 AM Report

A Skeeters frame a Nite Class iceboat. Photo: Kenton Fowler
PROVISIONAL RESULTS
2023 ISA & RENEGADE CHAMPIONSHIP HOME

The wind made another welcomed appearance on the second day of the ISA & Renegade Championship. The A, B, C Skeeters, and the Renegades sailed three races in moderate breeze. The Nites were only able to complete two races today. The weather mark came down in the first Nite race of the day because someone hit it (and did the right thing by telling the Race Committee, thank you!) The race was black-flagged, the mark repaired, and then the A Skeeters began the rotation.

Nite points leader Tom Sweitzer broke his mast in the first Nite race. Luckily, the race was black-flagged, and he carries a spare mast. Tom was on the starting line for the final Nite race of the day and came in second to David Navin

The Nite fleet starts first in the rotation today at 9:30 AM (to make up their 6th race from Saturday), and then the regular order will resume.

ISA & Renegade Championship Report: Day 1

amberarnoldphoto The International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championships hosted by the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club on Lake Kegonsa in Stoughton, Wis., Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. AMBER ARNOLD, STATE JOURNAL

PROVISIONAL RESULTS
2023 ISA & RENEGADE CHAMPIONSHIP HOME

First, let’s get the business out of the way. ATTENTION ATTENTION ATTENTION

The 2023 ISA Annual meeting will be in the mooring area tomorrow morning, Saturday January 14th, prior to the first race. Fleet representatives take note.

Steve Schalk
ISA Secretary/Treasurer

A perfect regatta day. Wind, hard ice; what more can we ask for?  Three races in each fleet, A Skeeter, B Skeeter, C Skeeter, Renegade, and Nite.
The wind was out of the north and “juicy” early in the morning but true to the forecast, calmed down a bit. Southerly breeze for Saturday means the starting area should be visible from Springer’s Bar & Restaurant big picture windows. The A Skeeter fleet will start the rotation on Saturday when the flag drops at 9:30 AM.  Follow the regatta on our 4LIYC Facebook page for live video feeds.

ISA B Skeeter Trophy Presentation

Jim Smith, Ken Whitehorse, Steve Schalk, Mary Jane Schalk

Better late than never! Ken Whitehorse presented the 2022 Wisconsin Skeeter Association B Skeeter trophy to Steve Schalk of the Skeeter Iceboat Club yesterday on Lake Kegonsa. The 2023 ISA and Renegade Championship begins today.
Follow the action and scoring here.

 

ISA Called ON for Jan 13 – 15, 2023 on Lake Kegonsa

Photo: Will Johnston

REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 7 AM, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2023
FIRST RACE STARTING POSITIONS .)
COMPETITORS LIST & PROVISIONAL RESULTS

The ISA Race Committee has called the 2023 Championship Regatta on starting Friday January 13th at Lake Kegonsa.

The host club is the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club.

The Sailing Conditions and Instructions are posted on Iceboat.org. Registration is on line at that site. The regatta fee and dues (if not already paid) should be paid on Iceboat.org.

The primary launch site is at Amundson Landing off of Quam Road on the south shore of Lake Kegonsa. There is an additional launch ramp on the north side of the lake at the Town of Pleasant Springs launch. Pleasant Springs requires a launch fee.

Trailers must be backed on and pushed out or pulled out by the ATVs. No driving on the ice. Parking is available on the local roadsides at the Amundson Landing. No trailers are to be parked on the roadsides.

Steve Schalk

Secretary/Treasurer

International Skeeter Association

The 2023 International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championships have been called ON for Lake Kegonsa, Stoughton, WI for January 15, 16, 17. This is a three day regatta for A, B, and C class Skeeters, Nites, and Renegades.

ISA & RENEGADE CHAMPIONSHIP
Dates: January 13, 14, 15, 2023
Location: Lake Kegonsa, Stoughton, WI

REGISTRATION, ISA, & RENEGADE DUES
REGISTRATION CLOSES AT 7 AM CT ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2023

LAUNCH:
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON THE ICE! ATVs will be there to help take trailers to the ice.
Amundson Landing
1928-2264 Quam Dr, Stoughton, WI 53589
Map

LODGING
BOOKING LINK
You can call the hotel or just use the booking link and reserve their rooms at your special rate online.
Clarion Suites at The Alliant Energy Center
2110 Rimrock Road
Madison, WI 53713
Map
(608) 284-1234
$99
Ask for the ISA Regatta rate.

RACE DOCUMENTS
ISA Notice of Race
ISA Sailing Instructions & Conditions
ISA First Race Starting Positions
Results
Once racing starts, competitors should check the results online for their starting positions. 

STARTING POSITIONS
Starting positions will be posted online by 9:30 AM on Friday, January 13, 2023. Here is the link.
Late entrants will start at the end of the start line.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, January 13, 2023
Race Schedule:
• The first race will be at 10:00 AM local time on Friday, January 13, 2023

FLEET ROTATION:

1. A Skeeters
2. B & C Skeeters
3. Renegades
4. Nites
• Races will be held for A, B, C Class Skeeters, Nites and Renegades should Renegades choose to hold their national championship regatta in conjunction with the ISA Championship Regatta.
• Nine races are scheduled for each division. Three are necessary for a complete regatta.

Saturday, January 14, 2023
First race will be at 9:30 AM
Banquet: 6:30 PM
Fat Jack’s BBQ
6207 Monona Dr, Monona, WI 53716
Map
$20 for family style BBQ chicken, ribs, fries, coleslaw, and garlic bread. Beverages are extra.
Pay at the door

Sunday, January 15, 2023
First race will be at 9:30 AM

ANNUAL MEETINGS
The ISA Annual Meeting will be held on the ice after racing on Friday, January 13, 2023
The Renegade Annual Meeting: 6:30 PM, Friday, January 13, 2023 at the Four Lakes Yacht Club
6312 Inland Wy, Madison, WI 53713
Map

WHERE TO WATCH
Springer’s On The Lake is the best place to watch, have  some food, and your favorite beverage. You don’t even have to go on the ice. The iceboaters often sail to Springer’s for lunch.
3097 Sunnyside St, Stoughton, WI 53589

Kegonsa From a Yellow Super Cub

DNs wait for wind on Lake Kegonsa, January 7, 2023. Photo: Jeff Russell.

It was iceboat central here in Four Lakes on January 7 – 8, 2023. The DN Western Region championship and the 4LIYC each had a course on Lake Kegonsa. Saturday’s lack of wind may not have been ideal for ice sailing, but it was a perfect day for landing a Super Cub. Renegader Jeff Russell stopped by to say hello to the DNs and then hopped over to join his fellow Renegaders at Springer’s.

 

Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed

ECLIPSE on Lake Monona. Photo: David Travis

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to January 21 and 22. We still need more thickness. The next update will be Sunday, January 15. 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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