UPCOMING:
4LIYC Spring Social: April 25 @ Breakwater More Information
4LIYC Meeting: November 2026
4LIYC Shipstore: Order custom iceboat shirts, hats, and gear. More information.
BURGEE: Order your 4LIYC Burgee
Pay Your Dues Online
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.
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.”
In The News: Geneva’s High Speed Thrills On Ice

The boats and history of our southern friends at the Skeeter Iceboat Club are featured in the winter 2021 issue of At The Lake -Geneva Lakes Area Magazine. Check it out here. Tip of the Helmet: Jane & Susie Pegel
Nites on Minnetonka in MN
Sail Saskatchewan

Our Canadian neighbor Jamie Smith reports that he and his friend Dave got out for a sail yesterday at Dunnet Regional Park by Avonlea Saskatchewan. The Four Lakes area should be coming online soon. The Madison weather forecast is trending colder for the week of December 13.
4LIYC Zoom Meeting Dec 2, 2020
Previous: 4LIYC Meetings Join the Virtual Revolution
Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club members should have received a group email from me today with a link to our next Zoom meeting. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at 6:30 PM. If you didn’t get the memo, please email to me debwhitehorse@iceboat.org.
2021 Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association Newsletter

It’s time to talk Stern Steerers. Via Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association Secretary Andy Gratton:
2020 Renegade Championship Called ON for Dec 19-20, 2020
2020 and 2021 Renegade Championship Regatta Information
The 2020 International Renegade Ice Yachting Association Championship regatta is scheduled for December 19-20, 2020. Final confirmation will be made on Wednesday, December 16th at 1:00 PM CT.
The IRIYA board will limit regatta locations for the 2020-2021 season to southern and central Wisconsin because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The IRIYA board wants to maximize regatta participation by choosing a site that allows commuting and avoids motels and restaurants. Regatta registration will be online. We will not have any social events or group gatherings.
Ron Rosten
IRIYA Secretary
New Mary B Ice Boat Foundation Website
Announcement: We are pleased to announce a new Mary B Ice Boat Foundation website!!
iceboatfoundation.org
The Ice Boat Foundation, Inc., current owners of the famous Mary B, announce the launch of our new Mary B website iceboatfoundation.org
We’re thankful for the great design work of Deb Whitehorse and everyone who provided photos, videos and content. We’re especially thankful on this day for all of our supporters who provided the funds to help us purchase and restore the fastest piece of Madison history. If you haven’t made a contribution to the effort, you’ll find a place on the website to do that.
Mostly though you’ll find stories and photos that tell the story of Madison’s famous iceboat, the Mary B.
And a special thanks to O.T. Havey, Frank O. Tetzlaff and Carl Bernard. Without that dream team there would be no Mary B.
See you on the ice.
Don Sanford








