Fourth of July

by | Jul 3, 2023 | 2023-2024, Home Page, ISA

John Dennis sailing EAGLE, a Class A Skeeter, at the 2023 International Skeeter Association Regatta on Lake Kegonsa in Madison, WI. Photo: Will Johnston.

Happy Fourth of July to all the ice sailors out there. JD’s Skeeter in patriotic livery again represents the annual July 4th post here.

 

Icy Rider – Harley Powered Iceboats

by | Jul 1, 2023 | 2023-2024, Home Page

1940 Harley-Davidson Propeller-Driven Ice Boat that will be auctioned in September 2023.

Wisconsin is famous for iceboating and for being the birthplace of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. A rare iceboat powered by a 1918 Harley-Davidson J model 61/24 HP V-Twin engine is going up for auction in September. The Hudson River Ice Yacht Preservation Trust in New York is interested in acquiring this sled for its collection. The iceboat was likely constructed by someone using plans available in Popular Mechanics magazine or a similar source.

Backyard mechanics in the 1930s also used Harley engines in the Mead Ice Yacht Company’s ice sled kits, like the one below, from an article about rare Harley artifacts and ideas “that didn’t stick.”

Tip of the Helmet: Bob Wills, President of the Hudson River Ice Yacht Preservation Trust

Mead Motor-Sled Kit with Harley Engine

Nite Rager Report 1

Nite Rager Report 1

by | Jun 27, 2023 | 2023-2024, Home Page

Shop dog Mike knows wood is good.

Nite sailors Daniel Hearn, Dave Navin, and Nite Commodore Maureen Bohleber gathered at 4LIYC Renegader Damien Luyet’s shop last Friday to kick off a ten-mast build. Under the watchful eye of Jerry Simon, they spent the day using a table saw, bandsaw, and planer to shape Sitka Spruce boards into mast blanks. Brad Wagner, Jim Lafortune, and Don Anderson dropped in to check on the process of making sawdust. The mast blanks are now at Daniel Hearn’s shop for the next steps of routing for the mast track and production of metal components.

Nite Rager 3
Nite Rager 1

Explore Monona Skeeter Iceboats

by | Jun 26, 2023 | 2023-2024, Home Page, ISA

In the weekend mail, the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club makes the cover of the Guide to Monona, Wisconsin. That’s Paul Krueger in his Class A Skeeter RAMBL’N at the 2022 International Skeeter Association Regatta held on Lake Monona with Renegades and the 4LIYC Jim Payton Memorial ATV in the background.