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: ISA, NIYA, and WSSA Postponed

We Sure Do!

Via ISA & NIYA Secretary Steve Schalk:

There are no sailable sites for the Northwest and ISA championship regattas. Both are postponed to March 6th, 7th and 8th 2020. The Northwestern Ice Yachting Association Championship takes precedence if there are suitable conditions for a March 6th start.

Via WSSA Secretary/Treasurer Andy Gratton

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to March 7 and March 8. The Northwest Regatta is scheduled for the same weekend and will take precedence. The next update will be Sunday, March 1. Check back here at that time. Still too much snow.

 

2020 Junior World DN & Ice Optimist Championship


Results
The World and European Junior Ice Sailing Championship concluded on February 20, 2020.  It was one of the most amazing regattas I’ve ever seen for many reasons.  Some of them include the first time being around so many young people who iceboat and the commitment and support their parents and coaches make to get them there and have a good experience. You can tell from the photos that the ice was fast. Both the DNs and Ice Optimist fleets showed a high level of sailing skill. The Lithuanian DN Ice Sailing club, organizers of the event, provided hot tea and cookies on the ice every day and the Uppsala, Sweden contingent organized hot lunch every day as well.

One of the  best memories I’ll take away from the regatta ironically took place on a day without sailing. Boredom is not a bad thing. The kids played soccer on the ice, skated, and generally horsed around for hours before being excused for the day. That evening, Estonian coach and DN sailor Mikhal Kosk organized a bowling tournament between countries at regatta headquarters. I have no idea who won but it was a blast to watch them having fun.
Here are some photos from the regatta.

 

Hollywood Swedish Ice

Rainbow’s End

Sorry for the light posting but I’ve been in Europe for the 2020 DN Worlds and now Junior Worlds. Good morning from near Furudal, Sweden, site of the 2020 Junior World DN & Ice Optimist championship. A few quick pictures before heading off to the sailing site. Racing will begin today.

 

 

ISA, Northwest, WSSA Regattas Postponed to Feb. 28-March 1

From Steve Schalk, “The ISA and Northwest regattas have again been postponed. The new dates are February 28th, 29th and March 1st, 2020 for both regattas. There are no sailable regatta sites anywhere.”

From Andy Gratton, “The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 29 and March 1.  The Northwest Regatta is scheduled for the same weekend and will take precedence.  The next update will be Sunday, February 23.  Check back here at that time.  Still too much snow everywhere.”

Northwest, ISA, and WSSA Postponed to 2/21-2/23

Steve Schalk reports: The Northwest and ISA regattas are postponed to February 21st, 22nd and 23rd 2020. All potential sites are currently snowed out.

From Andy Gratton: The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 22 and 23.  The Northwest Regatta is scheduled for the same weekend and will take precedence.  The next update will be Sunday, February 16.  Check back here at that time.  Too much snow everywhere.

4LIYC Racing Called On Feb 8 – 9

Via Commodore Don Anderson:

Club racing has been called on for Saturday and Sunday, February 8-9, 2020.

Launch at the County Park or Lot 60.  Course will be in middle of lake north of the Edgewater

ISA and Renegade Regatta Postponed

The ISA and Renegade Championships have been postponed to February 14th, 15th and 16th.

The launch ramp conditions on the Madison Lakes are not good enough to get the fleets safely on and off the ice.

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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