WSSA

Wisconsin Stern Steerers Association

Stern Steerers

Where it all began.

Innovation

Modern hardware and improvements in aerodynamic rigs
have allowed today’s stern-steerer to easily outclass its ancestors.

Class A Stern Steerer

Class A Stern Steerers carry a sail area of over 600 square feet.

Class B Stern Steerer

Class B Stern Steerers carry a sail area between 450 to 650 square feet.

Class C Stern Steerer

Class C Stern Steerers carry a sail area between 350 to 450 square feet.

Class D Stern Steerer

Class D Stern Steerers carry a sail area less than 350 square feet.

Tradition

Tradition-oriented skippers and crews maintain an active class organization.

Looking Forward

The renaissance of the big boats, especially the big A Boats,
is one of the best stories in our sport in recent years.

Iowa East Coast Stern Steerer


As the ice sailing season takes a break, it’s time to explore more of our history. Recently, a piece of history found its way into my U.S. mailbox: a vintage photo of a stern-steerer on the Mississippi River at McGregor, Iowa, circa early 1900s. It’s the first photo of ice yachts south of Pepin, WI, and Lake City, MN, I’ve ever seen. Iowa’s ice sailing and stern steerers bring to mind the Davis family, located a bit further inland from the Mississippi River.

A quick search of newspaper archives yielded no information about ice sailing at McGregor so that it might have been an individual’s activity. The back of the photo indicates that it was associated with the Hollingsworth family. I’m sure that the stern-steerer sailors will be able to spot some details by closely examining the photo.

UPDATE: Stern-steerer sailor Mike Peters writes in, “The iceboat in Macgregor probably is sailing on the backwaters of the Mississippi.
Looks like a side railer or wishbone. Interesting it has a crack jumper or strut forward of the steer runner.”

Eight Bells – Byron A Tetzlaff


OBITUARY
The iceboating community mourns the loss of Byron A. Tetzlaff and extends heartfelt condolences to his family. The Tetzlaff family’s legacy has been an integral part of our club’s history since the 1920s.
Via Don Sanford:

Once an iceboater…
c. 2024. Donald P. Sanford

Until a cold and blustery day in January, 2020, I thought I had met just about every iceboater in Dane County and listened to all their stories. Sure, I heard about Frank Tetzlaff and I had even met his grandson, Byron. On that day I was introduced to Frank and Evelyn Tetzlaff and instantly immersed in everything Tetzlaff and Mary B.

Peter Fauerbach arranged a field trip to their apartment in nearby Sun Prairie for a group of us from the Ice Boat Foundation. Byron was a master woodworker, a skill he no doubt learned from his dad. Our eyes popped as we checked out the beautiful collection of clocks and other projects displayed in their cozy apartment. What really caught our collective attention was the equally impressive family archive of Mary B photos, clippings, mementos and Evelyn’s Mary B quilt. As we took all this in, Byron told us story after story about his dad, the construction of both the B, the Fritz and the First Unitarian Meeting House as well as his experiences sailing on both of these iconic iceboats with Carl Bernard.

More than fifty years had passed but for us (and I guess for Byron) it was as though he’d just stepped off the ice. He was kind enough to let me scan all his photos and, by some stroke of luck, I had brought along my scanner. A lucky break because eight weeks later, Covid had us all isolated and nobody was going anywhere.

Fast forward to November of 2020. Production of our film, Mary B: Madison’s Legendary Iceboat was underway. I had Byron’s stories but I really wanted to hear him tell them. Again, we weren’t going to his apartment and he certainly wasn’t coming to us. But Byron was enthusiastic and wanted to tell his story for the camera. We came up with a solution. On a chilly day in November of 2020, Byron opened his garage door. He sat just inside, our crew took up a position at a safe distance in the driveway. Mission accomplished! Once an ice boater, always an ice boater. A little chill in the air wasn’t gonna get in the way of a good story! His in-person interview added so much to our film and I will always be grateful to Byron for his willingness to help.

Regatta Watch: ISA & WSSA Postponed Until Dec 2024

Photo: Shane Lewis – Silverfoxviz – See all Northwest photos here

INTERNATIONAL SKEETER ASSOCIATION REGATTA
The ISA Race Committee has postponed the 2024 Regatta to December 2024. We will be looking for perfect early season ice like we had at Battle Lake Minnesota in 2018.

Steve Schalk

Secretary/Treasurer

International Skeeter Association

WISCONSIN STERN STEERERS ASSOCIATION

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to December, 2024. Unfortunately this was a short season chasing thin ice. Being optimists, iceboaters always look forward to next season.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Regatta Watch: WSAA Postponed

The 2024 Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to March 2, 3. The next update will be Sunday, February 25. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence. If anyone knows of suitable ice please let us know.

Andy Gratton
WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Regatta Watch: 2024 WSSA Postponed to Feb 24-25


The “P” word strikes again.

The 2024 Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 24 – 25. The next update will be Sunday, February 18. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Regatta Watch: 2024 WSSA Tentatively Called On for Feb 17 – 18

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta for 2024 has been tentatively called on for February 17 and 18. The possible site selected is Lake Osakis, MN. Final confirmation will be made by 1 PM Thursday, February 15. Check back here after that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association has also tentatively scheduled their regatta for the same weekend, that regatta takes precedence.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Regatta Watch: WSSA Called ON for Feb 3 – 4 @ Lake Waconia, MN

The 2024 Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been tentatively called on for February 3 and 4. The site selected is Waconia, MN. Final confirmation will be made by 1 PM Thursday, February 1. Check back here after that time. If the Northwest Ice Yacht Association has scheduled their regatta for the same weekend, that regatta takes precedence.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Regatta Watch: WSSA Postponed

Fred Stritt bought the late Marv Luck’s Stern-Steerer. Fred set her up on Lake Delavan this weekend where she was the belle of the ball.  Photo from Midwest Hard Water Sailing Facebook page.

 

 

The Wisconsin Stern Steering Association regatta has been postponed to February 3-4. The next update will be Sunday, January 28. Check back here at that time. The Northwest Ice Yacht Association regatta takes precedence.

Andy Gratton

WSSA Secretary/Treasurer

Fond Du Lac Ice Yacht Club Readies for the Season

Dave Lallier with mother Carol in 2013 sailing their Johnson A Stern Steerer on Lake Winnebago. .

Carol Nichols ready to sail in 2013.

Fond Du Lac Ice Yacht Club members in 2023.

Our friends from Fond du Lac Ice Yacht Club recently shared a photo which features three original founding members – Dave Lallier, his mother Carol Nichols, and Karen Whealon. In 2013, Dave and his late brother Jeff had a fantastic day of sailing on their Johnson A Class Stern-Steerer with their mom, Carol. The Lallier family’s passion for ice sailing started with Dave and Jeff’s parents. “This iceboat thing started for me when I was a baby sitting on Mom’s lap in the back seat of MR. DASS, an old Don Ward D Skeeter still in the family. Jeff and I were lucky to have spent much time sailing with mom and dad when we were young.”
With the forecasted cold temperatures, here’s hoping that Lake Winnebago has a good freeze this season.
Tip of the Helmet: Julie Jankowski

Contact

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