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

4LIYC Zoom Meeting Dec 16, 2020


Previous: 4LIYC Meetings Join the Virtual Revolution

4LIYC Treasurer Jerry Simon shared this postcard, which dates to when the Secretary sent notice of club meetings in the US mail. Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club members should have received a group email from me on Tuesday with a link to our next Zoom meeting. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 16, 2020, at 6:30 PM. If you didn’t get the memo, please email me debwhitehorse@iceboat.org.

Where They Are Ice Sailing

Photographer Sean Heavey captures Brian Hearn’s fly-by on Lake Christina in Minnesota on Sunday, December 13, 2020.

The ice sailing season is heating up worldwide from Montana to Vladivostok. 4LIYC members Daniel Hearn, Brian Hearn, and I traveled for the second weekend in a row to Lake Christina in northwestern Minnesota for some more recreational sailing. The lake was buzzing with Pat Heppert and Daniel’s C Skeeters, 4 Renegades (including the newest Renegader Andy Gratton), and of course, DNs. The ice was harder than the previous weekend, which helped to keep everyone moving in Friday and Saturday’s light air. On Sunday, snow squalls brought more breeze and more fun. Photographer Sean Heavey, creator of the incredible DN drone footage last season, made the long drive from Montana and should have some photos and video to share this week.

Here’s a list of ice sailing locations seen on Facebook:
Montana: John Eisenlohr and friends have been sailing their mini-Skeeters on Enis Lake, McAllister, Montana.
Minnesota: The state is teeming with ice. Lake Christina, Bald Eagle Lake, and Whalestail were sailed.
Canada: DNer Mike Madge is finding ice on the smaller lakes around Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Sweden
Finland
St. Petersburg, Russia
Vladivostok, Russia

 

Ed Nelson – 1940 – 2020

Life long friends Iver Johnson left and Ed Nelson right in 2006.

Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Ed Nelson of Menominee, Michigan. Trygve Rhude remembers Ed as a “great teacher and helper, I learned a lot from that man.” Ed was active in the Renegade fleet and competed in many regattas.

Obituary

Ed Nelson, 80, passed away on December 5, 2020 at his home in Menominee. He was born March 30, 1940 in Menominee to Milton and Frances Nelson. Ed loved all of the years he spent sailing on Green Bay, racing in 67 “100” Milers”, starting at age 7 crewing for his father. He also raced in “the Hook” and numerous ice boat races. Ed also was an avid hunter “bagging the big buck” year after year since childhood. Ed’ boat building skills were put to use fitting out two sail boats, one of them his own design, and numerous ice boats. He also designed and constructed three wooden canoes.
Ed was a 1958 graduate of Menominee High School and in 1962 received his degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in Houghton. He was most recently employed at Evergreen Tool. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Menominee as well as the M & M Yacht Club. He also enjoyed many morning coffees with his group of friends.

The C in Connecticut

There goes another C-Class Skeeter ready for measuring and swage rigging. This one’s out East. Mike Acebo built the boat for George Nyssen, a Yankee and J14 skipper in Connecticut. Mike reports the Skeeter was a group effort. Bill Bucholz up in Maine made the mast, George made the springboard, plank, chocks, and seat, the Jeff Rogers of Airplane Plastics from the Midwest supplied the airplane canopy. Mike says, “the most important, Pat Heppert, for the fantastic plans and support. I know George will represent us well when all the pieces are together.”

Nites on Minnetonka in MN


This Facebook photo posted by Minnetonka’s Bill Allen is too tempting not to post. Bill wrote, “Ya. Went iceboating today – my bro and the granddaughters.” Their smiles indicate sailing must have been good.

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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