2020 Northwest Ice Yacht Racing Association Information
March 13-15,2020
Lake Waconia, Minnesota
Regatta Watch: 2024 International Skeeter Association Possibilities
Photo: Will Johnston
ISA HOME PAGE
2024 ISA NOTICE OF RACE
Via ISA Secretary/Treasurer Steve Schalk:
JD has reconvened the 2024 ISA Race Committee. The normal process will restart, with the Sunday prior to the regatta used to review ice reports and make a call on with a likely location.
The Committee will be taking advantage of the DN Western Challenge taking place on the weekend of December 7th, to get very complete information on ice thickness, area, quality and launch access.
The most likely first date for the regatta is December 13th, 14th and 15th 2024. The location will likely be in the general vicinity of Alexandria Minnesota. Once the first meeting is held an update will be posted.
Steve Schalk
Secretary/Treasurer
International Skeeter Association
SOLD! October 26, 2024: Nite Sail in IL
SOLD! Nite flat cut main.
Clean.
$150 OBO
Illinois
Happy Thanksgiving
Thankful for Ice Sailing
SOLD! October 30, 2024: DN in WI
SOLD! DN
Purchased years ago from original owner and he never used it. Stored indoors.
Runners
Blocks
Cover
Sail/Sail Bag
$1,500.00
Time to ReShuffle: 2025 Senior Shuffle Notice of Race
Previous: Senior Shuffle Announcement from last season
The DN Senior Shuffle Regatta is ready for Round 2! We’re picking up where we left off last year, so if you already paid, you’re good to go – no extra shuffling required. Just make sure to send in your most recent proof of liability insurance. Please send to debwhitehorse@iceboat.org.
WHAT TO KNOW
2025 DN Senior Shuffle
NOTICE OF RACE
SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
Dates: January 6 – 8, 2025 (the 3 days after the 2025 Western Region Championship)
Location: TBA, same location at 2025 Western Region Championship
Eligibility:
• Open to Seniors (50-59), Masters (60-69) and Grand Masters (70+) who will race under Shuffle Rules with one start.
• Open to “aspiring” Seniors (49 or younger) who will also race under Shuffle Rules possibly with a separate start.
Entries: Click here to see list of entries.
Want to join the fun? Click here to register.
4LIYC Iceboats Make Master Plan
This may be a signal that the 4LIYC should purchase giant inflatable ducks.
The City of Madison has released its Lake Monona Waterfront redevelopment plan. I was surprised to see a computer-generated image featuring two iceboats on Lake Monona near John Nolen Drive.
Iceboating has been a fixture on Madison’s lakes for over 100 years. Our history is tied to the city’s identity—our photos are used to promote Madison, and our presence on the frozen lakes adds to the city’s uniqueness. It’s heartening to see our sport recognized as part of what makes Madison unique. Iceboating is not just a pastime; it’s a tradition and a celebration of the frozen beauty of our lakes. The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club is grateful for the acknowledgment. Madison’s lakes and shoreline are central to the city’s identity, and iceboating is proud to be part of that legacy.
So, as Madison continues to embrace its lakes and shoreline, we’ll keep sailing—just as we have for over 100 years. See you on the ice!
Remembering Lou Loenneke
Lou Loenneke flying the runner in his Class A Skeeter SLAVE SHIP
UPDATE:
Lou Loenneke Celebration of Life
Wednesday, December 11
3 – 6 PM
Chuck’s Lakeshore Inn
352 Lake St, Fontana, WI
Map
The ice sailing community mourns the loss of Lou Loenneke, a Skeeter Ice Boat Club member and a valued friend to many in the Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club. Lou passed away peacefully in the hospital on November 15, 2024. Tributes have been pouring in on Facebook, where ice sailors are sharing memories, photos, and stories of a man who touched so many lives on and off the ice.
Lou was deeply committed to ice sailing and the community surrounding it. An avid sailor from an early age, he claimed the DN North American Junior Championship titles in 1962 and 1963. He was also an accomplished Skeeter sailor, where he won the 1970 Northwest Ice Yachting Association (NIYA) Regatta E Skeeter title and placed second in the Free For All race. His iconic Skeeter, SLAVE SHIP, appeared in a memorable advertisement for Lake Geneva’s Playboy Club during the 1970s.
Lou and life long friend, Bob Cave
In later years, Lou embraced the DN class and continued to excel. He captured the NIYA DN title six times (1988, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1996, and 2001) and won the DN North American Silver Fleet Championship in 1980. Lou was also a dedicated leader, serving as Commodore of the International DN Ice Yacht Racing Association from 2002 to 2004.
Lou was known as a generous and approachable figure in ice sailing. He freely shared his lifelong knowledge with seasoned sailors and newcomers, always striving to help others improve and enjoy the sport he loved dearly. (As an example, previous: The Old Man and the C)
The Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club extends its deepest sympathies to Lou’s family, the Skeeter Ice Boat Club, and the global DN community. You will be greatly missed but never forgotten.
UPDATE: Via Jason Thompson, Commodore of the Skeeter Iceboat Club in Lake Geneva, WI
Lou grew up iceboating. Once he settled in to the DN class, he and Jane Pegel anchored a deep fleet of talented sailors. Names like Pete Johns, Robert Cummins, Bob Rast, Bob Cave, Pat Fitzgerald, John Zils, Erich Schloemer, Steve Orlebeke, Chris Berger, Mike Jankowski, Erik Lonnecke, Clinton Rengi, and Scottie Button were battling on the ice for many seasons.
Like Jane and Buddy, Lou was tireless in his promotion of iceboating. Lou was an open book when it came to sharing his knowledge. When I began to race DNs I called on Jane and Scottie for advice on how to tune up. Same answer, “Go see Lou…” In the fall, Lou’s garage was packed with iceboaters, projecting and getting tuned for the season. The Wizard of Zenda would always stop in if the driveway was full. Buddy would kick the door open, “I had to park in the damn street! What the hell we working on today??”
Lou was one of the pioneers of The Western Challenge Regatta for DNs. The annual event is an amazing gathering of iceboaters looking for the first, and maybe only, ‘Hollywood Ice’ of the season. Canadian and European sailors will travel to this event which takes place on the best ice in Minnesota the first weekend of December—90 boats last year. Back in the day before the regatta, an agitated Lou would phone up Bob Cave: “You know they’ve gotten in four days of sailing in already…” referring to the MN iceboaters. Lou began to recruit sailors to head north for weekend scrub racing, laying the foundation for the Western Challenge.
I am forever indebted to Lou and Bob Cave for the hours they spent with me trying to get me and the SIBC DNs up to speed. Both incredible ambassadors. I Invision Lou is now sailing on better than Hollywood ice without the bite of frost on his hands and toes. Sheet in, Lou.
Jason Thompson, SIBC Commodore
Lou’s SLAVE SHIP in the Playboy magazine ad
First in Finland!
Or should we say it in Finnish, Ensimmäinen! Via Swedish DNer Dideric Van Riemsdijk, here’s a look at the first runners on the ice at the first regatta of the season, DN Finland’s Week 46. They are just above the Arctic Circle at Onkamojärvi, Finland. Who will be the FIRST in North America?
November 12, 2024: Arrow in PA
Arrow #325
Arrow and Arrow jet
Hull rebuilt (2015) with access ports, OE and gull wing runner planks, Doyle sail in excellent condition, storm sail, custom fir mast, custom blocks (skeeter design), spare (Arrow) blocks,, OE shrouds and adjustable shrouds, OE and wrapped aluminum tiller, OE and wishbone boom, steering cables, posts and hardware for both designs, (2) sets of Sarns skates, (3) front chocks, side chock lots of hardware, upholstered cockpit cushion, cover.
Erie, PA
$4300 OBO|
(814)218-0090
andicappp@aol.com
SOLD! October 16, 2024: Nite in MN
SOLD! Nite #491. Excellent condition. Very fast, well tuned. One owner, comfortable for two, warm, easy to rig and sail. Unused for the last 9 years, but in climate controlled storage. All covers, bags, cushions etc. blades like new. New over $12,000. Moved to AZ. First $7500.00 takes it.
Lake Minnetonka, Minnesota
SOLD! August 7, 2024: Nite in WI
SOLD! NITE
Custom trailer includes Nite #60, recent Awlgrip paint on all parts, North sail, Sarns blades, full canvas covers by Harken. Looks fast, sails fast.
$3,900.
Northeastern WI
November 7, 2024: Renegade w C-Rig in WI
Iver Johnson’s Renegade currently with a C rig and North Sail,
boat is complete with runner alignment triangles, extra battens,
runner sharpener, runner flat stone and boat storage fixtures.
Trailer included.
Northeast WI
$6500
$5500
Gary Buyeske (920) 469-2330 garybu@att.net
SOLD! November 27, 2023: Renegade in MI
SOLD! Renegade 107 (restored) enhanced and complemented with race parts from R512. Ready to race and fast.
2 masts: One shown and McCormick race mast (from R512).
2 booms: One shown and race boom w/ unidirectional carbon over triaxial carbon (from R512).
New: (2) Rudder yoke & chock (aluminum), (2) mast steps (bronze & stainless steel).
3 sails w/covers: 2 race sails (North & Boston Doyle from R512).
4 sets of runners: 1 set brand new and hardened (from R512), 2 sets chrome plated w/boxes.
Additional: Spring-board w/ rudder yoke & chock and runner plank, chrome plated rudder yoke & chock (from R512).
Both runner planks trued & aligned by Ron Sherry runner alignment tool and confirmed with lasers to a 195 lb. skipper. Fast w/good spring-rates on spring-board and runner plank.
All stored in a heated and finished basement w/ cover.
$7500 $3750
SE Michigan,
SOLD! October 29, 2024: Nite in MN
SOLD! Nite #23
Boat is in very good condition. Last sailed at 2013 Nite Nationals where it won the silver fleet. Includes Quantum race sail in very good condition, covers showing some wear, runners in good condition, and solid trailer. Has hard cockpit top so you can lock your boat when off the ice.
$4000.
Notice of 4LIYC Meetings for 2025
UPDATE: January 16, 2025
Stay tuned for updates on upcoming Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club meetings! Our meetings may take place on Zoom or at various locations, depending on the circumstances.
We’ll post the meeting details, including the time, date, and location (or Zoom link), ahead of each meeting to keep everyone informed.
Four Lakes Ice Yacht Club Meetings
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: Will be announced.
Meeting Dates
- January 22 Deadline for By-Law or Racing Rules Amendment Submission
- February 5 Business Meeting
- February 19
- March 5
- March 19 (tentative)
The continuing series: Artificial intelligence still has not learned what an iceboat actually looks like.
November 1, 2024: Racing DN in MI
Custom built ready to race at world level w/cover.
Has been raced and placed at Gold Cup North Americans
and Worlds
Telescoping carbon tiller
4 sets of runners 2 sets 1/4 and 2 sets 3/36 w/stiffeners and Sarns,
2 steering runners, Pelican case and Harken bags
Jeff Kent Composite Solutions Mast w/cover
Glass wrapped ash and cedar strip plank w/chocks similar to
Struble chocks but custom designed
much stronger and stiffer w/cover 160-185lb.
Forstman Boom w/Harken Blocks, ratchet and braided sheet
North Sail – All Speed, great condition
Quantom – High Speed, great condition
Two additional all purpose sails
Located in Ortonville, MI
608 628-9590
$5,600
wmw102@gmail.com
Delavan Yacht Club Swap Meet On Nov 9
Talking ice.
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
Nite Celebration Recap
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
SOLD! October 21, 2024: Stern-Steerer Model in WI
SOLD! 1930s Stern-Steerer model.
$500
Northeast WI
October 26, 2024: J14 Skeeter in MI
J14 with all components, complete and ready to sail with custom enclosed trailer.
$3,000.00
Armada, MI
Contact Dale MacPherson
M:586 944 5391
Email: dale.macpherson@sbcglobal.net
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