2020 Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Information
March 13-15,2020
Lake Waconia, Minnesota
Iceboat Swap Meet Mega Weekend- Nov 2-3
Looking to attend an iceboat swap meet? We’ve got you covered across iceboating country, from east to west. If you are new to the sport or a seasoned veteran, swap meets are the perfect place to kick the tires, shop for parts, and meet ice sailors. Have a boat or parts to sell? Take them to your local swap meet.
EAST:
New England Ice Yacht Club
Saturday November 2, 2019
10 AM with lunch at noon
Hudson-Concord Elks Hall
99 Park Street, Hudson, MA 01749
More information.
CENTRAL:
West Michigan Swap Meet at the Muskegon Yacht Club
Saturday, November 2, 2019
9 AM – 1 PM
3198 Edgewater St, Muskegon, MI 49441
WEST
Skeeter Iceboat Club Swap Meet
Sunday, November 3, 2019
9 AM to Noon
Lucke’s Cantina
220 N. Elkhorn Rd. (WI Hwy 67), Williams Bay, WI.
More information
FAR WEST
Minnesota Ice Sailors Swap Meet
Saturday, November 2, 2019
9 AM – Noon
Sailcrafters
7450 Oxford St., St. Louis Park, MN 55426
More information
2018 SIBC Swap Meet: November 4, 2018
Get them fresh and hot!
Another milestone that brings us closet to the season! If you are looking to buy an iceboat, don’t miss this important event.
Via Jane Pegel:
Skeeter Ice Boat Club: 33rd Annual Swap Meet
Date: Sunday, November 4, 2018
Time: 9:00 to noon
With a free raffle at 11:30 a.m.There is no charge for participating.
Location: Lucke’s Cantina
220 N. Elkhorn Rd. (WI Hwy 67), Williams Bay, WI.
Map
For more info, email sailing19@charter.net
This is the day to swap, buy, and sell new and used iceboats and equipment. Boat builders & hardware manufacturers will display new products. Breakfast and/or lunch will be available at Lucke’s.
Display area:
Items for sale can be set up on the black top parking area at Lucke’s
and in the vacant lot to the south of the old Sailing Specialists building.
Please do not park your cars in the display area.
Please do not park or set up your displays adjacent to neighboring businesses. A short distance to the north there is a municipal parking lot located at the intersection of Elkhorn Rd. and Stark St. (on the north side of Stark St., opposite Burrough’s Floor Coverings).
4LIYC Fall Ice Sailing Event
For well over 50 years, this iceboat club has kicked off the season with some sort of fall gathering to get iceboating back on everyone’s minds. For many years, we’ve hosted picnics. Two years ago, we held a very successful iceboat show at Dick Lichtfeld’s property.
This year, we are excited to announce an event in conjunction with Hoofer’s Sailing Club at the famous University of Wisconsin Memorial Union. (Sailing iceboats on Lake Mendota to the Union for lunch is part of what makes Madison a unique ice sailing center.)
DN ice sailor Dideric van Riemsdijk H467 from the Netherlands (where it all began) will present a program on the annual ice sailing regatta that takes place every spring at one of the planet’s most remote places, Lake Baikal in Siberia. We will have iceboats set up in historic Tripp Commons on the 2nd floor of the Union.
Please join us on Sunday, October 14, 2018 for this free event where you can meet up with old friends or learn about the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club and how to get started in the sport. All are welcome including area iceboat and sailing clubs. The planets have aligned (at least here in Wisconsin) because there’s no Packer game that Sunday.
ICE SAILING LAKE BAIKAL
A Free Program & Iceboat Exhibit Sponsored by the 4LIYC and Hoofer’s Sailing Club
Date: Sunday, October 14, 2018
Time: Noon to 3 PM Program at 1 PM
Location: University of Wisconsin Memorial Union, Tripp Commons, 2nd Floor of the Union
800 Langdon St, Madison, WI MAP
DETAILS
Parking: Helen C. White Parking Garage MAP
State Street Campus Parking Garage MAP
Food: Your favorite Wisconsin beverages and food will be available for purchase at Der Rathskeller and other restaurants located in the Memorial Union.
Questions? Please email us: debwhitehorse@iceboat.org
International Skeeter Association & Renegade Nationals Regatta Update
The Nite fleet from the air on Lake Puckaway, Saturday, December 26, 2020. Photo by Jim Stevenson. Instagram js170b.
A decision on whether the International Skeeter Association & Renegade Championship regattas is called on will be made tomorrow, Wednesday, January 28 by noon.
I would normally post the update here around noon, but I will be on the lake with the DN North American Championship fleet. For final confirmation and registration information, please check the BoeCraft Skeeter Ice Yacht Association website. LINK
That site will carry the official status and all registration details.
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed (& the Pirate Boat)
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 7 and 8, 2026. The next update will be Sunday, February 1. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Speaking of stern-steerers, Lake Winnebago stern-steerer sailor George Gerhardt shared the above photos a couple of weeks ago. I asked Andy to explain exactly what are we looking at:
Sorry for the delay, I was at my brother’s in Costa Rica for a week. It’s very bad iceboating there, I wouldn’t recommend trying.
Years ago when I first saw the Pirate Boat, as George calls it, I noticed the reefing points at the top of the sail. I have never seen a reef like that. All the other reef points I have seen for gaff rigs have been for taking in sail at the foot. This is the first time I have seen the Pirate Boat reefed and it is interesting. I wonder if the reef points also allow the upper portion of the sail to fly by rolling up the sail from the reef points down. That would show just the gaff area, even less sail than exposed here. I can see an advantage with the area shown in the photo – there is a lot of sail area remaining down low, which will produce a lot of force to get through rough ice and deeper snow yet not creating a lot of heeling moment to cause a capsize like Jay’s boat “Frosty’ shown below. The reefed sail isn’t a rig that will produce high speeds as it creates a lot of drag, but it will allow sailing more often due to the power.
I have plans to make the original Fritz backbone into a 38′ gaffer. I don’t need it to go fast, it will go fast enough for me, I just want to be able to sail more often.
Andy
Woops!
ISA Regatta on for Green Lake WI Starting January 30th
Photo: Jann Klin
The ISA race committee has tentatively called the 2026 championship on for Green Lake Wisconsin. Racing will be January 30th through February 1st 2026. The final confirmation call will be made Wednesday January 27th by noon.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
NIYA REGATTA Postponed one week to February 6th, 7th and 8th
ACE OF SPADES & LITTLE WIND line up to race.
The NIYA race committee has postponed the Championship regatta for a week to get for sure drive on conditions at the most likely site.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
Northwestern Ice Yachting Association
January 25, 2026: Double-Seat Iceboat in WI
Double-seat wood skeeter hull
Excellent condition, no issues, very light
Similar in form to a modern Nite
$375
Pewaukee area
Mast, runner plank, and other parts might be available
Jim Tews (262) 290-0391 or Brian Jones 262-239-0961
January 24, 2026: DN Hull & Sails
1D F-Speed sail, 2025, used only few times last year, practically new, comes with fibreglass battens: 700 USD
1D Super Speed, 2022, A1, in perfect conditions, used only 5x per season, comes with fibreglass battens: 400 USD
Kardas hull, 2019 in A1 condition: 3000 USD
Montreal area or at 2026 DN North American regatta
Please contact me either by phone +1 514 862 9614 or email jm@globtecinc.com or any other way.
Iceboating, Considered
Earlier this week, NPR’s All Things Considered aired a short segment on ice sailing. I was invited to talk about the sport, how it works, why it is so fast, and some of the history.
While there is currently no sailing on the Four Lakes, the season itself is very much alive. The DN class is set to hold the DN North American Championship on Lake Wawasee in Indiana, with racing expected to begin Sunday, January 25. Follow along here: LINK
There’s even a webcam.
There are also early signs of other sites developing. Word on the street is that Green Lake has recently iced over and is worth watching as conditions evolve.
As I write this, it is –15°F, which is too cold to iceboat anyways, but not unusual for January, and not a reason to count the season out.
You can listen to the segment here:
LINK
Regatta Watch: 2026 ISA & Renegade Championship Postponed to Jan 30-Feb 1
The ISA Race Committee has postponed the Championship Regatta one week to January 30th though February 1st. There is no suitable sailing area available and the temperatures for the originally scheduled days are well below minimum requirements. Next update January 25.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
Regatta Watch: 2026 NIYA Postponed to Jan 30-Feb 1
The 2026 Northwestern championship Regatta is postponed a week due to excessively low temperatures on the 23rd through the 25th.
The cold temperatures will likely allow the two currently open water venues of Green Lake and Geneva Lake to ice over and provide some snow free ice for January 30th through February 1st. Next update January 25.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
Northwestern Ice Yachting Association
Regatta Watch: 2026 WSSA Postponed to Jan 31-Feb 1
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to January 31 and Feb 1, 2026. The next update will be Sunday, January 25. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
January 17, 2026: DN in RI
CSI molded fuselage, plank w/ Struble chocks, CSI faux painted mast, dyeform adjustable stays w/ quick pins, 2 excellent condition North Sails (Full and Speed), tool kit, plate runners, mast and hull covers. $5800
Also available-
Carbon bodied 440c 36″ inserts
C2 440 plates
Sarns steel 36″ carbon bodied 1/4″ Inserts
Plank w/ double studs and struble chocks
Rhode Island
Contact: Chad Atkins
catkins4487@gmail.com
4LIYC Racing News: No Racing for Jan 17-18
There will be no Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club racing the weekend of January 17-18.
We’re seeing a familiar pattern set up again: light snow that keeps accumulating, followed eventually by rain and warmer temperatures that reset the lake. Right now, we’re at the beginning of that cycle with enough fresh snow on the ice to keep us off of it.
If the pattern holds, we’ll get our Zamboni back. It’s already been working overtime this year.
This weekend is officially a shop weekend. Get into the shop, tune the boats, and be ready when the ice comes back.
Iceboaters remain, as always, hopelessly optimistic.
Speaking of shops…
A crew out of Damien Luyet’s shop has been busy building six mini skeeters, boats that are equally happy on ice or converted for land sailing.
The only unresolved issue is branding. The group is currently split between Midwest Dirt Dudes and Midwest Dirt Devils.
Ice Boat Foundation Video Channel
The Iceboat Foundation has launched a YouTube channel to document their fleet of historic iceboats and the stories behind them.
The channel will feature short films, archival material, and on-the-ice footage, starting with MARY B, their flagship.
Be sure to subscribe to follow future releases.
Regatta Watch: 2026 Nite Nationals Postponed to Jan 23-25
Nite sailors Mark Prange 550 and Tom Sweitzer 272 round the leeward mark.
The last regatta domino piece fell today: the Nite Nationals have been postponed. That means the Nites, ISA, and NIYA are now all pushed to the same weekend of January 23-25, so another version of regatta logic will be back in play again next week. (Then let’s add in the DN North American Championship with the first day of racing scheduled for January 25!)
But wait—there’s more. The DN Western Region Championship is tentatively called on for this weekend of January 17-18. More on that soon or watch the DN North America website.
Nite Nationals has been postponed.
Unfortunately due to low quality ice and cold weather we have postponed the 2026 Nite Nationals until January 23-25, 2026.
Lake Kegonsa and Lake Winnebago in the FDL area, both deteriorated with this recent warm weather and with the combination of the high winds and cold weather it became un-sailable for a regatta.
Our next update will be Sunday night January 17 after 8 pm.
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 #497
Vice Commodore David Navin #549
Treasurer Chris Wiberg #434
Tech Mike Peters #544
Secretary John Heigis #160
Regatta Watch: 2026 ISA Postponed to Jan 23-25
Photo: Will Johnston
…and the second domino falls.
The ISA race committee after reviewing the morning ice check and the upcoming weather forecasts has decided to postpone the 2026 ISA one week to January 23-25. The surface of Lake Kegonsa roughened up in the flash freeze last night after the very warm temperatures. The NOAA forecast has visibility-blocking snow showers on both Friday and Saturday, and all forecasts rule out Sunday as never getting to minimum temperatures. The Committee believes there is time to wait for better conditions. The next update will be Sunday evening, January 18 following the 7 pm conference call.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
Regatta Watch: 2026 NIYA Postponed to Jan 23-25
ACE OF SPADES Photo Kevin Chapman
The first domino falls….
Ice checks on Lake Winnebago revealed thickness levels of anywhere from 7 to 10 inches of ice, with some reports of much less in spots. The top 5 inches of the ice are soft snow ice and are not load bearing. We will need more hard ice build-up to be safe for the big boats. Cold temperatures will result in more thickness with more time. the Northwest is postponed for a week to January 23rd, 24th and 25th 2026.Next update is January 18.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
Northwestern Ice Yachting Association
4LIYC Meeting Tonight – Breakwater @ 6:30 PM
Tim and Peter McCormick on Lake Kegonsa. Photo: Ethan Brodsky
It’s been a while since we’ve had a meeting. We missed the last one because it fell on New Year’s Eve, so tonight gets us back on our regular every-other-Wednesday schedule.
We’ll meet tonight at 6:30 PM at the Breakwater. There’s a lot to catch up on, recent activity on Kegonsa, regattas being called on, and what the next stretch of the season may look like.
Breakwater is generously letting us use their room. Please consider coming early, grabbing dinner, and supporting them.
What to Know:
4LIYC Meeting
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
6:30 PM
Breakwater Restaurant & Bar
6308 Inland Way, Monona, WI
Waiting on the Calls: Sailing WISCONSIN on Lake Winnebago
Link to video
As decisions are made today on whether the NIYA, ISA, the Nite Nationals (and now the DN Western Region Championship) are called on or postponed, here’s a short clip from Tuesday afternoon on Lake Winnebago, with the stern steerer WISCONSIN stretching her legs in strong wind.
Andy Gratton, who shared the video, put it best:
The video doesn’t do justice to how the sun shimmered off all the little ripples on the many puddles due to the strong winds today. It almost looked like we were sailing on water, not ice.
The video was taken from WISCONSIN by Andy’s son-in-law, David School.
January 12, 2026: DN Sail in Canada
Ullman PS-1 full power sail for sale with battens and bag
Can be delivered at the 2026 DN North American Championship
$550 USD
Montreal area
Contact Nic Mabboux
n.mabboux@gmail.com
January 12, 2026: DN in NJ
Fiberglass mast
Cedar hull with fiberglass between layers
North Sails – crisp
Sail and plank storage bags
Hull cockpit cover
Fiberglass RBS Battens
Lightweight aluminum boom
Adjustable mast step to tune performance
Iridescent color that changes with viewing angle
Plank adjustable to front/rear for sailing conditions
Sarns blade runners with original storage box
Back cushion, rubber cleat mats
Aircraft grade hardware
Hull weight 50 lb. with hardware and tiller (mats/cushion removed)
Built in 2001 with latest tools, materials and bonding agents
$3100
Northwest NJ
sparduh2@gmail.com
973 459-2456
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