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 Meeting : Dec 17 @ Breakwater  More information.
4LIYC Shipstore: Order custom iceboat shirts, hats, and gear. More information.
BURGEE:
 Order your 4LIYC Burgee
Pay Your Dues Online

See the MARY B at Frozen Assets Festival Feb 5 – 6


Ice Boat Foundation

Make a plan to show up at the Edgewater Hotel on Lake Mendota this weekend (February 5, 2022) for this year’s edition of the Clean Lakes Alliance Frozen Assets festival.

In addition to all of the activities, displays and exhibits, you’ll have a rare opportunity to see the MARY B where she belongs—on the ice! Volunteers from the Ice Boat Foundation will be there to show her off and tell you everything you want to know (and more) about this legendary icon of Madison’s long and storied history of iceboating. MARY B was designed and built right here in 1948 by Carl Bernard and Frank Tetzlaff for O. T. Havey. Skippered by Carl Bernard and Jimmy Payton, she was the fastest thing on the ice.

Regatta Watch: 2022 WSSA Postponed to Feb 12 – 13

ACE OF SPADES, 2010 Northwest on Lake Winnebago. Photo: Kevin Chapman

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 12 – 13, 2022. The next update will be Sunday, February 6. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

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.

 

Online Ship’s Store

Regatta Dates 2026

  • DN Western Challenge
    December 5 – 7, 2025
    Information
  • 2025 International Skeeter Association Regatta
    December 2025
    Information
  • DN Western Region Championship
    January 3-4, 2026
    Information
  • International Skeeter Association Regatta
    Scheduled January 9–11, 2026
    Held on first good ice, week-to-week updates as conditions allow.
    Information
  • DN NA Championship
    January 24-32, 2026 Information
  • DN World & European Championship
    February 14 – 21. 2026 Information
  • DN & Ice Optimist Junior Championship
    Information
  • Northwest Regatta Information
  • Nite Nationals Information
  • WSSA Championship Regatta
    Information.

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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

YOU ARE SKIPPER NUMBER

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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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