Andy Gratton on Iceboating: Free Webinar April 16
All-around ice sailor Andy Gratton will be giving a Zoom presentation about our sport.
He’s part of a free webinar series hosted by The American Schooner Association and The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race on Thursday, April 16 at 6 PM CT / 7 PM ET
Andy has sailed just about everything and owns nearly every class of iceboat known. If you’ve spent any time around iceboating, you’ve likely seen him giving rides in his vintage WISCONSIN stern steerer.
This is a good introduction to the sport for sailors who’ve never stepped on the ice, and a reminder of why we keep coming back.
Register here: LINK
Andy Gratton and WISCONSIN Photo: Gretchen Dorian
Iceboats in Art: ROCKET & JACK FROST by Michael Scherfen
Here’s an exquisite watercolor that any iceboater would hang on the wall, recently shared on the Rocket Ice Yacht Foundation’s Facebook page:
Watercolor of the Rocket and Jack Frost racing on the Navesink River in 2015. The Jack Frost won the races that day and proudly flies the daily pennant from her main! Bob Pulsch commissioned a local artist Michael Scherfen.
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed to Dec 2026
MARY B draws a crowd on Lake Monona c 1955. From the Carl Bernard Collection
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to December, 2026, due to deteriorating ice conditions. The next update will be early December. Check back here at that time. In the meantime enjoy slow sailing while dreaming of iceboating during the soft water season.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Regatta Watch: 2026 Northwest Canceled
Lake Winnebago, February 2026.
The Race Committee decided after review of sites and the upcoming weather forecast, that the 2026 Northwest is just not going to happen. The shoreline access is the main site issue, with all locations getting much worse with high temperatures and rain in the forecast everywhere.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
Northwestern Ice Yachting Association
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed to March 8-9
Twin-masted stern-steerer with the DEUCE in the background. Oil painting by Harry Whitehorse.
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to March 7 and 8, 2026. The next update will be Sunday, March 1. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Regatta Watch: Northwest Postponed to March 6-8
We Sure Do!
The Race Committee was unable to locate a suitable racing area that had ice surface conditions and launch access for the Annual Regatta for February 27th. The search continues for March 6th. Next update is March 1, 2026.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
NIYA
Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed to Feb 28 – March 1
Photo: Maureen Bohleber
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 28 and March 1, 2026. The next update will be Sunday, Feb 22. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
Regatta Watch: Northwest Update – Starting From Scratch
Green Lake, WI. Photo Jim Stevenson
The wind did not cooperate or obey the computer wind models this weekend (February 13 – 15.) Nobody got chilly, but the DNs and A skeeters got only two races in, and the Renegades, Stern Steerers and B/C Skeeters only got one. The races sailed are discarded, and we start from scratch starting Friday February 27th.
The locations possible range from somewhere on Green Bay, through Madison and out to Lake Pepin.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
Northwestern Ice Yachting Association
Gallery From Jim Stevenson
Regatta Watch: 2026 Northwest Regatta Called ON for Feb 13-15 @ Green Lake, WI
Regatta Watch: 2026 WSSA Postponed
Stern-Steerers on Lake Monona at the 2016 Northwest. Photo: Joe Stanton
The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 21 and 22, 2026. The next update will be Sunday, Feb 15. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence and has been scheduled for this coming weekend, Feb 13-15.
Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer
WISCONSIN ICE BOATING HOTLINE 608-204-9876
WSSA DUES
W.S.S.A. dues are $20.00 and can be mailed to Andy Gratton at the following address:
W.S.S.A.
c/o Andy Gratton, Secretary/Treasure
2102 Doty Street
Oshkosh, WI. 54902
***NOTICE*** Due to the high cost of “snail” mailing newsletters it is encouraged that you send in your $20 dues and an e-mail address. If not, your name MAY be removed from the mailing list. If you are no longer interested in receiving the newsletter please respond or email to Andy Gratton