Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Meetings Now at the Elks Lodge
Join us on Wednesday, November 6, 2024 for the first Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club meeting of the season at our new location. We’re now gathering at the Elks Lodge on Lake Monona, located at 711 Jenifer St, Madison, WI. Meetings will kick off at 6:30 PM. We look forward to seeing you there to talk all things iceboating and keep the tradition alive! Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Meetings Time: 6:30 PM Location: Elks Lodge, 711 Jenifer St, Madison, WI 53703 Meeting Dates
November 6
November 20 Elections
December 4
December 18
January 2 THURSDAY Honor Roll Nominations
January 15 Deadline for By-Law or Racing Rules Amendment Submission
January 29
February 12 Business Meeting
February 26
March 12 Last Meeting of the Season
The continuing series: Artificial intelligence still has not learned what an iceboat actually looks like.
Fred Stritt checked in to let us know about the upcoming Delavan Yacht Club Iceboat Swap Meet. Missed the recent swap meet at Harken? Or can’t get enough of the iceboating community? Here’s your chance! Join us at the Delavan Yacht Club on Saturday, November 9 from 11 am to 3 pm for another opportunity to buy, sell, or trade iceboat gear, meet fellow sailors, and prepare for the upcoming season.
The Delavan Yacht Club will serve homemade pizzas, and the bar will be open, so come hungry and thirsty! It’s the perfect setting to connect with the iceboating community, discover great gear, and enjoy good food and drinks.
Delavan Yacht Club Iceboat Swap Meet Location: Delavan Yacht Club, 1501 Cedar Point Dr, Delavan, WI 5311 Map Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024 Time: 11am – 3pm Information:Midwest Hard Water Sailing Facebook Page
Via International Nite Class Association Commodore Maureen Bohleber
For The Love of Iceboating
The International Nite Class Association recently hosted an event at Harken Headquarters in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, bringing together Midwest iceboaters. The theme was “50 Years of Nite Racing,” attracting Skeeter, Stern Steerer, Renegade, DN, and, of course, Nite sailors of all ages.
The Nite was designed and built by Dick Slates at S & R Marine around 1968. The story goes that he aimed to create a side-but-side two-seater to take that “special” someone out for a night on sail on Pewaukee Lake. While Dick and his wife Gale were unable to participate in the activities, his sons Rich and Kevin Slates were able to join in.
It was wonderful to listen to sailors inquiring if a certain person would be attending, only to find out they hadn’t seen them or spoken to that individual in 20 years. It was amazing to watch friendships reignite as if they had seen each other on the ice last season. Additionally, guests could view a history of results displayed on the walls. Hearing the younger crowd react to names they recognized and discovering that many sailed a Nite was enjoyable.
During a roundtable discussion led by the Nite Fleet GOAT Tom Sweitzer, past champions offered advice to future champions. The discussion also included Bill Dale, Dave Koch, and Dave Navin.
Kyle Navin and Harry Melgas IV shared their recent experience sailing the American Magic Youth team alongside Bill Goggins, President of Harken, who facilitated the discussion.
Thank you to Harken, Inc. for hosting not only the Nite Fleet gala but also the Southern Wisconsin Iceboat Swap Meet, which took place on Sunday, October 27th. Rumor has it some new Nite owners emerged from this weekend’s events. To top it off, we had a surprise guest: Peter Harken, Nite #98, who had just returned home from Spain after attending the America’s Cup. Maureen Bohleber
Past and Present Commodore Chad Rechcygl, Craig Adams, Maureen Bohleber, Don Sanford and Dave Koch
Past Champions: Back Row -Dave Navin, Bill Allen and Mark Prange Front row – Chad Rechcygl, Dave Koch, Craig Adams, Tom Sweitzer and Billy Dale
American Magic: Billy Goggins, President of Harken, Kyle Navin- Port Helmsman Harry Melgas IV Starboard Helmsman and Skipper
Historic Iceboats On Display This Weekend
It’s the unofficial opening weekend of the iceboating season!
Join the Midwest ice sailing community on Saturday and Sunday, October 26-27, at Harken, Inc. in Pewaukee, WI, where we’re excited to help the International Nite Class Association celebrate 50 years of Nite racing. Thanks to the Iceboat Foundation, you’ll see the legendary MARY B, INSANITY, their museum
Bucky Badger relaxes on the MARY B
trailer, and the newest addition, PANTHER a Class A Skeeter originally built for Chris Smith of Chris-Craft.
With the Swap Meet happening on Sunday, it’s the perfect weekend for iceboating enthusiasts and newcomers to check out the sport. Whether you’re looking to find your iceboat, chat with veteran ice sailors, or admire some of the most iconic iceboats in history, this weekend has it all.
Join us to celebrate the start of the ice sailing season—experience the boats, the history, and the excitement of the fastest sport on ice!
Southern Wisconsin Iceboat Swap Meet
Date: Sunday, October, 27, 2024
Time: 9 AM – Noon
Location: Harken parking lot
N15W24983 Bluemound Rd, Pewaukee, WI
Previous: Cheers to 50 Years
Nite sailors Kyle Navin and Harry Melges IV will be special guests at the Nite 50th Anniversary Party on October 26, sharing stories and insights from their recent experiences at the Youth America’s Cup in Barcelona. This is a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from two young, talented sailors who are deeply rooted in the Nite community.
Join the Nite Class at Harken Headquarters in Pewaukee to celebrate 50 years of the Nite Class and hear from Kyle and Harry about their incredible journey. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or just a fan of the sport, this is an event you won’t want to miss! Sign up here for this event.
The Roundtable will begin at 4:00 pm with Tom Sweitzer the GOAT Hear some stories and learn some tips from the best Nite Sailors
Kyle and Harry will continue with videos and a Q&A of their experience on the American Magic Youth America’s Cup
October 26, 2024
5:30 Food and Cocktail at Harken, Inc. Pewaukee, WI
$25.00
RSVP: mkbohleber@gmail.com
or
https://niteracing.org/event/7NGFkfX0UX
Southern Wisconsin Swap Meet
Sunday October 27, 2024
9 – Noon
The Iceboat Foundation will be displaying the Mary B and the Insanity both days.
Jay Yaeso hiking in his Class A Skeeter iceboat on Lake Winnebago. Photo by Gretchen Dorian.
Well, not quite. NOAA has officially retired “Wind Chill Warnings” and “Advisories,” streamlining their alerts with new, simplified Cold Weather Alerts instead. Read more here. Tip of the Helmet: Mike Peters
