1949 Four-Runner Iceboat Newsreel

by | Sep 17, 2023 | 2023-2024, Home Page, ISA

Screen shot from USA: ICE YACHTING ON FROZEN RIVERS IN ILLINOIS (1949) British Pathe. Harry Melges sails a 4-runner Skeeter.

Previous: Iceboat Tech That Never Caught On
Early ISA 1941 – 1942 Video
Watch the 1949 Newsreel here
Iceboat researcher Henry Bossett has unearthed yet another interesting discovery: a 1949 newsreel chronicling the International Skeeter Association regatta held on Fox Lake in Illinois. This vintage footage, accompanied by newspaper clippings, documents the presence of a four-runner iceboat helmed by Harry Melges, who happens to be Buddy’s father and a member of the Skeeter Iceboat Club. Observe that the fourth runner was positioned at the stern, deviating from the standard practice seen in other configurations where two runners were typically placed at the front. Adding her own memories to this historical account is Jane Wiswell Pegel, a high school student at the time.

Jane Pegel remembers:

I think the 4-runner boat belonged to Bob Ferris. I was in high school. My first iceboat race was at the Fox Lake ISA. I was first at the windward mark in the ladies’ division in a 20 foot Mead (skeeter.) But I did not know how to sail downwind  and ended up second in ladies overall. It snowed for the drive home.

Ben Lampert’s 4-Runner Skeeter Plan

Illustration from Wings On The Ice

Ban Lampert’s 4 Runner Skeeter from the Carl Bernard Scrapbook Collection

Alcort Skeeter Restoration Progress Report

by | Sep 14, 2023 | 2023-2024, Home Page


PREVIOUS: From Skeeter Iceboat to Sunfish Dinghy
Dan Heaney has made steady progress with his Alcort Skeeter restoration project in Neenah, WI. As some of you may remember from a previous post, it’s worth noting that the Alcort Company of Connecticut, which initially gained fame for developing the Sunfish, has roots in iceboat manufacturing.

Via Dan Heaney:
The boat is a work in progress as it required some repair and tender loving care. I hope to have it on the ice this winter. A photo shows the remains of the original “Alcort” identifying decal. The decal is located above the steering wheel. The boat has a 75 SqFt sail.

I completed the following work:
New Deck
New Bottom
Added a Springboard
Adding foot steering

Alcort Skeeter Resto 5
Alcort Skeeter Resto 3
Alcort Skeeter Resto 2
Alcort Skeeter Resto 1

MARY B & INSANITY On Display at E Scow Nationals

by | Sep 7, 2023 | 2023-2024, Home Page

Photo: Anna Suslova

Firs of all, welcome to all ice sailors competing in the 2023 E Scow Nationals on Lake Mendota. The MARY B appears ready to lift off at Marshall Park in Madison, WI, where she’s on display along with the famous Class A Skeeter INSANITY. The Mendota Yacht Club is hosting the 2023 E Scow Nationals 100 Year Celebration. The racing begins today. As of this morning, just a few boats shy of the 130 boat record from the 1999 E Scow Invitationals on Mendota are registered and will race in one line. Event website here.

SOLD! July 12, 2023: DN & 2 Iceboats in Iowa

by | Sep 3, 2023 | Sold, sold-1

SOLD! 3 Iceboats With Trailer
One DN, One Skimmer-style iceboat, and a Windstar iceboat. One 12’x8’ Interstate cargo trailer to haul them all in.
DN includes 3 sets of runners, 2 Kenyon,  one Polish fiberglass mast with T hound, and two sets of shrouds. Skimmer-style can fit two passengers. Lots of extra parts.
Sold as package in Iowa City, Iowa
$2500 OBO