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

Regatta Watch: 2025 Northwest Postponed to Jan 24-26

(C)2010 Gretchen Dorian

Via Northwest Ice Yachting Association Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:

The 2025 Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Race Committee has postponed one week to January 24th, 25th and 26th. The likely site will be on Lake Winnebago at the best possible of several locations.

The morning check by Andy Gratton found the snow conditions ok for most but not DNs. (Styrofoam snow) The forecast eliminates Sunday due to low temperatures and the Friday wind and temperature forecasts show a possible softening of the snow , but a likely blow-out of excessive wind gusts.

The forecast is looking good for multiple options on January 24th. The next NIYA Update is Sunday January 19th after 7 pm.

Steve Schalk

Secretary/Treasurer

Northwestern Ice Yachting Association

4LIYC Apparel Refresh – Available Now!


Coral Reef Sailing Apparel has refreshed our 4LIYC-branded clothing line, and it’s available now!

The updated store features:

  • New options alongside your classic favorites.
  • Cold-weather gear perfect for ice sailing.
  • Simplified shopping: No event-specific language or timers—just a clean and easy experience.
  • All boat options included: Show off your favorite class with style.
  • Check out the refreshed line today and gear up for the season!

Shop now.

Ice Boat Nation

4LIYC Skeeter fleet Paul Krueger and Ken Whitehorse on Lake Kegonsa

What an incredible weekend for ice sailors across the ice sailing belt of North America. Here’s a quick roll call of where the action happened this weekend (based on what has been posted on Facebook):

  • Lake Kegonsa, Madison, WI (4LIYC)
  • Bantam Lake, Connecticut
  • Budd Lake, New Jersey
  • Canadian Nationals, Napanee, Ontario
  • Lake Delavan, WI (Skeeter Iceboat Club)
  • Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota
  • Pushaw Lake, Maine, (Chickawaukee Iceboat Club)
  • Lake Puckaway, Princeton, WI (Green Lake Ice Yacht Club)
  • Lake Wentworth, New Hampshire (New England Ice Yachting Association)
  • Lake Winnebago, Fond du Lac, WI (DN Western Region Championship)
  • Maumee Bay, Toledo, Ohio (Toledo Ice Yacht Club)
  • Nantucket, Massachusetts
  • Waneta Lake, New York (KEWASA)
  • Walled Lake, Michigan

Want to get started in ice sailing? Finding your way onto the ice is easier than you think. Start by locating a club in your area to connect with experienced sailors who can guide you. Take a look at our How to Get Started Ice Sailing page for tips and essential information, and be sure to review our Sailing Safe page to prepare for safe adventures. Ready to gear up? Check out our Buy and Sell page or explore online marketplaces to find the perfect ride.

Regatta Watch: 2025 Nite Nationals Called ON

Nites line up at the 2019 ISA. Photo: Pat Heppert

Via Nite Commodore Maureen Boheleber:

Nite Nationals has been Tentatively Called ON for January 18-19, 2025 Our forecast shows promise therefore the Nite Board has decided to Tentatively Call on the 2025 Nite National Championship for possible locations at Neenah (Lake Winnebago), Madison or Lake Geneva.

We are continually watching the weather patterns and we will make the final call by 8pm Wednesday. At that time we will provide further launch, hotel and regatta details.

Continue to monitor Facebook Group, the Nite Website, and your email for further communication.

We are always open to you sharing the conditions of your local lake or of a lake you have pertinent info on.

Keep your runners sharp and your boats tuned. The ride of your life awaits.

Sail Safe, Sail Fast,

Commodore Maureen Bohleber
Vice Commodore David Navin
Secretary/Treasury Chris Wiberg
Tech Mike Peters #544

Regatta Watch: 2025 Northwest Called ON for Fond du Lac Jan 17-19

ACE OF SPADES & LITTLE WIND line up to race.

Via NIYA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk

The 2025 NIYA Regatta is called on for Fond Du Lac,, January 17 – 19 with the final call at noon Wednesday January 15th. Launch will be drive on at the Sunset Bar.

UPDATE: The International Skeeter Association and Renegade Championship regattas are postponed. The NIYA regatta takes precedence.

Kegonsa Fly By

Photo: Skot Weidemann

Pilot Skot Weidemann captured this fly-by shot of the 4LIYC gearing up to race on Lake Kegonsa, Saturday, January 11, 2025

Jan 12 Update: ’25 DN Senior Shuffle Postponed


Senior Shuffle Home Page
Via 4LIYC Commodore Daniel Hearn

With temperatures forecasted not to exceed 10 degrees Monday and Tuesday, we’ve concluded that Shuffling wouldn’t be much fun. Since FUN is the whole point, we are postponed again, awaiting another opportunity this winter. Keep those joins shuffling…you want to be in peak shuffling shape when Mother Nature smiles upon our high mileage racing kits!

4LIYC Racing on for January 11-12 @ Kegonsa

Happy Hour

Club racing is officially called ON for January 11-12, 2025, at Lake Kegonsa. Please use the Quam Landing for access. Remember to roll trailers onto the ice—do not drive vehicles onto the lake. First race starts at 10 AM Saturday.

Newsletter From the Hudson River Ice Yacht Club

Racing trophies that are still cherished by iceboat builder Samuel Rogers’ family. Photo from White Wings & Black Ice

Here is the latest Hudson River Ice Yacht Club newsletter for those who enjoy following the stories of the original historic stern steerers that sailed the Hudson River many years ago. One highlight from the newsletter is a report about the recent exhibit at the FDR Museum and Library in Hyde Park, which showcased the legacy of an iceboat builder and racer, Samuel R. Rogers.

If you’d like to learn more about Samuel R. Rogers and the history of Hudson River ice yachts, visit Brian Reid’s incredible website White Wings and Black Ice.  Check out the full Hudson River Ice Yacht Club newsletter or more stories and updates.

We’re Shuffling to Madison! DN Senior Shuffle Called ON for Lake Monona Jan 13-15


SENIOR SHUFFLE HOME PAGE
We’ve got a beautiful sheet of ice on Lake Monona in Madison, but it’s not quite thick enough for this weekend. So, we’ll be 76 minutes north of Madison in Fond du Lac for the 2025 Western Regional.

When things wrap up on Sunday, we’ll head to Madison for the kick off of the first annual Senior Shuffle. We’ve got a great rate lined up at our oft used HQ hotel, The Clarion. Just $79/night and less than a mile from the Olin Park Launch.

We will have group social functions on both Monday and Tuesday nights. Standby for details. Prize giving on the ice Wednesday to wrap things up. All fun…no running…all are welcome, whether you are a “Senior” or not. All will race under the special senior rules. See you there!

SENIOR SHUFFLE
DATES:
January 13 – 15, 2025

LOCATION: Lake Monona, Madison, WI

LAUNCH SITE:
Olin Park Launch

LODGING
Clarion Suites
2110 Rimrock Rd, Madison, WI 53713
+16083501766

Lake Monona, Thursday, January 9, 2025

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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