Technical Matters – Occasional Newsletter 20th January 2026
IOM kicking straps
Several measures have asked me what the current situation is regarding the compliance of various kicking straps (now to be known as vangs).
There have been several kicking strap related proposals to the IOMICA General Assembly.
The following is a brief summary of the recent history of this:
- The 2024 GA passed a proposal to limit the width of the kicking strap to 20 mm.
- For reasons that are not entirely clear this proposal was not ratified by IRSA, a step which is mandatory for a class rule change to be adopted.
- The agreement between IRSA and IOMICA has been revised and IRSA are now only able to reject an IOMICA proposal to change the class rules on the grounds that the proposal does not meet the SCR format and (fit with) the ERS.
- In order to progress the adoption of the proposed limit on the width of kicking straps the proposal was put again to the IRSA GA. However, this time it failed to achieve the required majority.
- A related proposal that marginally tightened the limit also failed to achieve the required majority.
- Another proposal that sought to change the term used for kicking strap to the American English version ‘vang’ was adopted. However, it did not place any limitation on the size of the vang.
In consequence we are now back to the pre-2025 GA situation where there is no control over the size of the kicking strap/vang itself.
Although the 20 mm limit has attracted criticism from some I have spoken to since it was adopted by the IOMICA, none of the correspondents has been able to propose a better alternative. The 20 mm limit, perhaps not perfect, was better than no limit which is the current status quo. If you, or the IOM class sailors you are in touch with, care to make an alternative proposal (see the COG Framework on the MYA website) the MYA’s IOM COG can consider the proposal. If supported by the class owners the MYA can put it forward to IOMICA for consideration at their next GA.
In the meantime it seems builders and designers can have a free for all.
MYA Sail Measurement Course
A MYA Sail Measurement Course is fairly well advanced at the time of writing. It will allow a candidate to demonstrate his ability to understand the relevant class rules, including by making some practical measurements on a test sail. In principle, when approved by the RYA, we will be able to implement the course to train and appoint Sail Measurers who meet the criterion of Official Measurer as required by the international class rule and the 6M class rules for sails.
In the near future it will be ‘proof read’ and, when adjusted as required, will be put to the RYA for their approval.
Graham Bantock
MYA Technical Officer
20th January 2026