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sail measurement. - most sails requiring measurement are International Classes. - most are made by reputable sailmakers who are in effect one man bands hand making sails to order. However competent this is not infallible and mistakes can be made. Hence the need for a second pair of eyes - the official measurer. For replacement sails (i.e. ones where the boat has already passed fundamental measurement and there is an existing valid certificate). It is quite legal and possible for a sailmaker to have an arrangement with a local official measurer ( with no conflict of interest) to, for an appropriate fee, come and measure and check agreement with existing certificate and sign off sails, before dispatch to customer. This could solve a lot of the problems. However for Fundamental Measurement. (First time new boat) this does not work as for many classes (i.e 10R & A) the dimensions of the sails are dependant on many factors relating to the hull and rig design and construction and can even vary between boats of the same design if fitted with different weight fittings and accessories. The whole package needs checking by an official measurer at this fundamental stage. In relation to measurer qualifications. MYA Classes now have online courses available for "Class" measurers. Although it is usually advisable to have someone new who has passed the on line course to carry out their first measurement with an experienced qualified measurer to ensure they have the practical skills covered as well. However before you can become a 'class' measurer you need a sail measurer qualification and the only one available at present is the RYA one. Here we have 'catch 22'. Yes in principal the MYA can run a sailmaker "radio sailing only" course. However the syllabus needs to be 'approved' by the RYA and they can only approve a course if it meets World Sailings requirements. This can happen but not overnight. It has lots of hurdles to jump over all of which also take time and individuals with the time to chase its progress. I am sure it will happen but not this year...