by Deb Whitehorse | Sep 4, 2025 | 2025-2026, Home Page, ISA
Burly Brellinthin throws out the first pitch at the Milwaukee Brewers game on September 4, 2025.
Not long ago, we shared the story of iceboater Skeeter Iceboat Club’s Mel Jones, who left his mark as an Indy 500 driver back in 1927. Nearly a century later, another iceboater has stepped into the major league (literally!) sports spotlight. The Skeeter Iceboat Club’s own Burly Brellenthin, fresh off celebrating his 100th birthday, threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Milwaukee Brewers* game on Thursday, September 4, 2025. A WWII veteran from Lake Geneva, Burly was honored as part of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Tip of the Helmet: Greg Whitehorse
* The Milwaukee Brewers are on an historic hot streak, recently setting a franchise record with their 14th consecutive win, following a previous 11-game streak just weeks prior.
Burely removes the cover from his B Skeeter in preparation for the 2013 Northwest Regatta on Green Lake. Photo: Gretchen Dorian
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by Deb Whitehorse | Aug 13, 2025 | 2025-2026, Home Page
Stern-Steerers line up on Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin at the 2025 Northwest regatta. Photo by Rob Resnick.
The fall swap meet was started many years ago by Jane and Bob Pegel of the Skeeter Iceboat Club in Williams Bay, Wisconsin. For decades, anyone looking to get into iceboating or to buy or sell gear was told to “call Bob and Jane.” The swap became an annual tradition at Sailing Specialists in Williams Bay, timed for a Packers bye week .In recent years, the event has rotated between the Skeeter Iceboat Club in the Lake Geneva area, the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club in Madison, and the Green Lake Ice Yacht Club in Green Lake, Wisconsin. This year, it returns to its original home turf in the Lake Geneva area, hosted at the Lake Geneva Yacht Club. Expect plenty of gear, camaraderie, a cookout on the lawn, and even a Bloody Mary bar.The Other Swap — Midwest Hardwater Sailors
The second Fall Swap Meet, organized by Fred Stritt and the Midwest Hardwater Sailors, will be held at the Delavan Yacht Club. Along with food, bar service, and football, this year’s gathering will also feature a Dragon Force remote control sailing event after the swap.2025 Swap Meet Dates and Details- Lake Geneva Swap Meet — Sunday, October 19, 10 AM
Lake Geneva Yacht Club
1250 S Lake Shore Dr,
Fontana-On-Geneva Lake, WI - New England – Saturday, October 25, 2025
Thompson Motor Speedway
Thompson, Connecticut
More information - Minnesota: Saturday, November 1, 2025, 9 am – 12 pm.
Sailcrafters
7450 Oxford Street
St. Louis Park, MN
Tim Carlson at Sailcrafters ((952) 540-7474) is hosting his annual Iceboat Swap meet on Nov 1, 2025. We hope you join us. You can expect to see all types of iceboats and all types of used gear. If you are new to iceboating, this is the perfect place to meet local sailors and check out used equipment. If you are looking for new gear, Tim caters to the local iceboat community and can provide new sails, stays, line and everything in-between. - Delavan Swap Meet — Saturday, November 8
Delavan Lake Yacht Club
1501 Cedar Point Dr, Delavan, WI 53115
More Swap Meets Coming Up
Dates for these events are still to come, but here is what is usually on the fall calendar:
- Canadian Swap Meet
- Gull Lake Ice Yacht Club Swap — Michigan
- New England Ice Yacht Club Swap — Usually in Connecticut
Whether you are new to the sport or a seasoned sailor, the swaps are the perfect chance to find parts, boats, and gear and to reconnect with the iceboating community before the season begins.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Jul 16, 2025 | 2024-2025, Home Page
Burly removes the cover from his B Skeeter in preparation for the 2013 Northwest Regatta on Green Lake. Photo: Gretchen Dorian
Please join us in celebrating one of our southern neighbors, Skeeter Iceboat Club member Burley Brellinthin, who turns 100 years old today.
Burley has been a fixture in the iceboating community for decades. Here’s a photo from just a few years ago, with his Boecraft Skeeter ON THE ROCKS.
Happy Birthday, Burley. You’ve been showing us how it’s done for a long time.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Apr 12, 2025 | 2024-2025, Home Page
4LIYC Spring Banquet at Mariner’s Inn
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Social 6:00 p.m. ~ Dinner 7:15 p.m. ~ Program 8:15 p.m.
RSVP required by Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Join fellow ice boaters for an evening to recap one of the BEST ice boating seasons in recent memory!
A social gathering will begin at 6:00 p.m. Drinks will be available to purchase at the bar (cash or credit card accepted).
Dinner will be served at 7:15 p.m.
Entrées are $30 per person (taxes & tip included) – choices are:
- Mariner’s Shrimp – the famous deep-fried jumbo shrimp you just can’t find anywhere else!
- Chicken Betty Lou – Chicken breast stuffed with wild rice and mushroom blend; set atop a bed of sautéed spinach, nestled in tomato and basil bruschetta then glazed with Chardonnay cream sauce
- Sliced Flank Steak
- Vegetarian – chef’s choice
All entrees include a salad, family style sides of hash browns, mashed potatoes, beans, dinner rolls and a choice of Key Lime Pie or Cheesecake for dessert.
Mariner’s Inn:
5339 Lighthouse Bay Dr.
Madison, WI 53704
Please RSVP by Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
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by Deb Whitehorse | Mar 17, 2025 | 2024-2025, Home Page
4LIYC Skeeter guys Paul Krueger, Bill Mattison, and Dave Rosten with a pile of hardware. From the Bill & Mauretta Mattison collection.
Mark your calendars! The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Let’s celebrate the incredible season of 2024-2025.
More info to come!
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