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

HWS: On Hold…Still Hopeful

On Hold…Still Hopeful

As of this morning, the Hard Water Summit remains on hold. The weather on the Fort Peck Reservoir has remained cold, so the drifts are still too large and stiff. Warm weather is coming the week of March 13. We’ll monitor the weather that week to see if we get the melt we need to clean up the snow, and the below freezing temps at night to keep the ice firm. Please stand by. We intend to make a final call one way or the other on Thursday, March 17.

Think Ice!

Your HWS Team,
Daniel, Sean and Deb

Regatta Watch: 2022 WSSA Called On for March 12-13

Photo: Gretchen Dorian

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta for 2022 has been tentatively called on for March 12 – 13. Final confirmation will be made by 1 PM Thursday, March 10. Check back here after that time. If the Northwest Ice Yacht Association has scheduled their regatta for the same weekend, that regatta takes precedence.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Regatta Watch: 2022 Northwest Called On for March 11-13

2013 Northwest on Green Lake in Wisconsin. Photo: Gretchen Dorian

Northwest Home Page

Via Northwest Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:

The 2022 Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Regatta is on for March 11, 12, 13, 2022. Potential locations are Green Lake, Madison, and Petenwell Lake.

The final call will take place Wednesday March 9, 2022 before noon CT.

Steve Schalk

Secretary/Treasurer

Regatta Watch: Nite Nationals Tentatively on for March 11-13, 2022

2022 ISA regatta on Lake Monona, Madison, WI. Photo: Will Johnston

Via Nite Commodore Chad Rechcygl:

We have regatta ice at Geneva, Green, Pewaukee and Madison. Lakes north of Green lake are not ready yet unfortunately. We are eyeing a storm that can bring some rain or a few inches of snow. We will know what lakes are affected in 24hrs. The temps look favorable for the rest of the week to bring us our regatta. Keep your trailers ready and your runners sharp. We’ll give you final call Wednesday night 9pm.

Sail Safe, Sail Fast,

Commodore Chad Rechcygl #322
Nite Class website

Succeeding the Last Time

From left, Maureen Bohleber and Lars Barber in Nites, Mike Ripp, Skip Dieball, and Daniel Hearn in Renegades

Skeeters, Renegades, and Nites gathered on Friday for what possibly was the last day of racing on Lake Monona. Saturday’s record 1.2″ of rain, high winds, and forecasted warm temperatures may have put an end to the season here, but we’ll check to make sure of that.

Ken Whitehorse and Paul Krueger raced nine times in close match racing style. Ken told me, “Paul wanted to go for a record-breaking ten races, but I was the voice of reason and said we have to get the boats home.” Thanks Ken and Paul for getting us out there on Thursday and Friday .Always a pleasure to see the familiar red Renegade #11, with Mike Ripp at the helm, back on Lake Monona.

Taking advantage of our proximity to downtown Madison, Scott hauled us in the ATV trailer to the shore. We clambered up the sea wall, walked across the street, and had iceboaters lunch.

Lake Monona has been perfect for us this season, generating more interest in our sport and reintroducing Madisonians to the reality that we’ve been sailing these hard waters since the 1870s.

4LIYC Sailing March 4: The Last Hurrah?

 

Via Greg Whitehorse, “I think Iceboating lends itself well to Photoshopping some photos. Played around with this one from today’s setup, on Lake Monona, on my phone. Ken Whitehorse M-197, Paul Krueger M-165.”

Skeeter sailors Ken Whitehorse and Paul Krueger rallied the 4LIYC troops to Lake Monona on Thursday for some spring sailing. Renegaders Mike Ripp and Greg Whitehorse joined them, and more boats are setting up this morning for what could be the last day of sailing on Lake Monona. 61F on Saturday with a half-inch of rain could take out the landings. So get out there today to enjoy the best lake we’ve had this season.

New HWS Target Week March 21 – 24

Adjusting Our Sails

New HWS Target Week: March 21 – 24

Unfortunately, snow has covered the ice at Fort Peck. Mother Nature decided she didn’t want us during the target week, and until she decides what she wants to do, we are on hold. Weather models show a significant warming trend next week. We want to put everyone on standby with hopes to hold the HWS on the third target week of March 21 – 24.

Ice sailors are eternal optimists, and we are holding out hope that the snow will disappear. We will continue to keep you informed about conditions. We understand it may be challenging to adjust your schedules, but we will still try to make this happen if Fort Peck ice comes in. All the pieces are in place, and the snow will soften out with a bit of luck.

We will keep you in the loop and send a weather update on Monday, March 7.

Your HWS Team,

Daniel, Sean and Deb

Hay Making on Lake Monona March 3 – 4

Sean R Heavey: 2022 DN US Nationals &emdash; Heavey__1223717

Today and tomorrow (March 3 – 4) are good days to call in sick “iceboating” and get to Lake Monona. 4LIYC Skeeters and some Renegades are launching out of the Olin Park landing today for what may be the last two days of sailing for the season here. They will take boats off on Friday because of the rain forecasted for Saturday. Ken Whitehorse reports that you can easily back trailers on the ice, and the landing is level. (The club does have a week day racing series, so please keep track of the scoring.)

Regatta Watch: 2022 Nite Nationals Postponed to March 11 – 13

Nites racing at the 2022 ISA regatta on Lake Monona. Photo: Will Johnston

Due to temps in the 60s, rain, thunderstorms high winds and temps above freezing at night, we unfortunately cannot call on Nite Nationals for this weekend. We have hopes that Mother Nature’s Zamboni will clear off the snow on our more northern lakes and bring us something beautiful for the weekend of March 11-13. We will give you an update Sunday (March 6th) night by 9pm.

Sail Safe, Sail Fast,

INCA Commodore Chad Rechcygl #322

Regatta Watch: 2022 WSSA Postponed


Via WSSA Secretary/Treasurer Andy Gratton

The 2022 Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association Regatta has been postponed until March 12-13.. Check back on Sunday, March 6 for the next update.

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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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