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:
4LIYC Awards Banquet:
Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Mariner’s Inn. Sign up here.
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: 2022 Northwest Postponed to Feb 11 – 13

2010 Northwest on Lake Winnebago. Photo by Gretchen Dorian

Via Northwest Secretary Steve Schalk

The 2022 Northwest Ice Yachting Association championship regatta has been postponed until February 11-13, 2022. There is not enough space for the Northwest at Marinette/Menominee. Next update is Sunday, February 6, 2022.

Regatta Watch: ISA, Renegade Championship, & Northwest Tentatively Called ON for Marinette/Menominee

Tom Hyslop and Ken Whitehorse sailing Class A Skeeters. Photo: Rick Myslinski

Via ISA/NIYA Secretary Steve Schalk.

The 2022 Northwest, Renegade Championship, and ISA  regattas are on for Marinette/Menominee for February 4-6, 2022. The call is tentative based on acquiring more “on the ice” information on Monday and or Tuesday as to thickness and race area. The landings are already thick enough but the thickness in the racing area – and the size available need to be checked. If there is not enough thickness in the racing area for the Big Boats (Stern Steerers) but there is for Skeeters, the ISA would be held and the NIYA postponed.

On The Cold Road

Choosing weapons.

Good morning from Putnam, Illinois, the 2022 DN U.S. Nationals site. Senachawine Lake is about 2.5 hours south of Madison, WI and being south, 10 degrees warmer than Madison. But the difference between -16F and -5F is negligible. The Skipper’s Meeting is scheduled for 11 AM, with racing at 1 PM. Follow the regatta on the IDNIYRA page, where updates will be posted. Provisional results are here.

 

Skeeter Treasure Chest

Via Ken Whitehorse at the Past Champions Iceboat Shop

This morning, at the Past Champs Iceboat Shop, I found a treasure chest placed at the front door. Just look at all the bolts, shackles, pins, and cable fitting! (There is more not shown.) We estimate the value to be at least two thousand dollars! Huge thank you to Bob Kau M162 for your generosity! I will bring various bolts to the ice each week in case a sailor looses one.
P. S. I will save a complete set of hardware for M162 when Bob Kau builds his new C Skeeter!

4LIYC Skeeters: Pics of the Week

Ken Whitehorse in WARRIOR on Lake Monona January 22, 2022. Photo by Sean R. Heavey

The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Class A Skeeter fleet had a perfect sailing day on Saturday before the snow fell. Our club racing season is on hold until the big Zamboni in the sky comes through for us. Photos by Sean R. Heavey.

Paul Krueger in RAMBLN XII on Lake Monona, Saturday, January 22, 2022. Photo by Sean R. Heavey.

 

Hudson River Stern Steerers Come Out to Play

VIXEN, Photo via White Wings and Black Ice. Photo Credit: Robert Near

It’s always a big occasion when America’s founding iceboats, the classic Hudson River stern-steerers,  are able to get on the ice. Stay tuned to Brian Reed’s “White Wings and Black Ice” in the coming days keep up to date on the Hudson River iceboating scene.

The extended cold in 2022 has brought us good ice in several locations in the Hudson Valley. On Saturday Vixen was assembled at the NYS boat launch at Murderers Creek, in Athens, NY, and by Sunday afternoon there were 5 vintage stern steerers and an Arrow. Continue reading.

WSSA Postponed

Photo: Gretchen Dorian

Via WSSA Secretary Andy Gratton: The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 5 and 6. The next update will be Sunday, January 30. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.

Is this too rough? Green Bay

 

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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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