Hi as a Newbie to the sport and with technical fitness of a dyslexic octopus All I wanted was a boat that I could feel competitive and not a lot of building to do. The chances of getting a Britpop is slim even after a couple of years waiting. and the obvious but expensive answer was a Viss with all the try it’s complete. Unfortunately I have just been informed that the rigs are now illegal due to the vang giving me an advantage ( that explains why I wasn’t last) so we have to get these changed immediately as having entered all the IOM Comps I could I will now have to cancel. Is there a direct replacement available anywhere although I’m sure Sailboat will develop one in the future.

Hi Richard, if I was in your position I would get in touch with Nigel Barrow via his web site. If the vang is ilegal I'm sure as he races a Viss he will have either found an alternative or looked at away of modifying the existing one.

I do believe that PJ Sails are producing a Gooseneck/Vang for the latest high decked designs. Whether that could be made to fit I don't know.

Hope you find a simple solution.

Richard, who has informed you that it is illegal?

3 minutes ago, Darin Ballington said:

Richard, who has informed you that it is illegal?

Hi Darin! Hope you are well. What are the consequences of the recent IOMICA vote regarding vangs?

Hi John, all good here in the frozen midlands! Well it did snow for a couple of hrs:)

I think that you would need to ask the question of IOMICA but my take is that the rules are not changed by the 25 AGM at this time, and as long as the fitting complies with these then it’s still good.

The IOMICA website 2025 AGM report states that, “The CRO Kicking strap did not pass (when it had passed last year with 2/3 of votes).”

It would be really helpful if the MYA could provide insight into what is class legal for 2026 GBR IOM events and for MYA IOM Measurers/skippers guidance.

Edited January 11Jan 11 by JohnO

22 minutes ago, JohnO said:

The IOMICA website 2025 AGM report states that, “The CRO Kicking strap did not pass (when it had passed last year with 2/3 of votes).”

It would be really helpful if the MYA could provide insight into what is class legal for 2026 GBR IOM events and for MYA IOM Measurers/skippers guidance.

It’s not my place to advise this, but maybe a request for the Class/ MYA Tech Officer to ask the question of IOMICA would be useful.

Graham doesn’t follow this forum so an email to him may be best.

Any MYA Council technical advice/help would be gratefully received.

My understanding is that, in the absence of a GBR IOM COG, the MYA Council takes that class role. It would therefore be very useful if a MYA Council officer (TO?) could provide advice germane to class rules which will prevail at 2026 MYA IOM events. Thus, an email exchange between a lone skipper and a Council rep would not communicate the advice to the whole GBR IOM fleet.

Thus, I am sure your help in facilitating clarification on this matter between MYA Council (TO?) and GBR IOM skippers would be greatly appreciated.

2 hours ago, Richard Jutsum said:

Is there a direct replacement available anywhere although I’m sure Sailboat will develop one in the future.

If I were you, as a recent customer, I'd definitely contact Sailboat in parallel. They might be unclear/guarded themselves at this stage, but if their product isn't class legal then it's gonna be in their interests to clarify, understand and/or offer an alternative fitting to past customers.

28 minutes ago, JohnO said:

Any MYA Council technical advice/help would be gratefully received.

My understanding is that, in the absence of a GBR IOM COG, the MYA Council takes that class role. It would therefore be very useful if a MYA Council officer (TO?) could provide advice germane to class rules which will prevail at 2026 MYA IOM events. Thus, an email exchange between a lone skipper and a Council rep would not communicate the advice to the whole GBR IOM fleet.

Thus, I am sure your help in facilitating clarification on this matter between MYA Council (TO?) and GBR IOM skippers would be greatly appreciated.

I’m sure that if you worded your enquiry appropriately and requested that any advice be posted on the MYA website that the TO would facilitate this. If you copy me in I will ensure that this is dealt with.

4 hours ago, Richard Jutsum said:

I have just been informed that the rigs are now illegal due to the vang

3 hours ago, Darin Ballington said:

Richard, who has informed you that it is illegal?

2 hours ago, JohnO said:

The IOMICA website 2025 AGM report states that, “The CRO Kicking strap did not pass (when it had passed last year with 2/3 of votes).”

Hi Richard

It would be good to know the reply to Darin's question.

I believe JohnO's quote from IOMICA refers to the CRO proposal to amend the class rule. As far as I know it does not refer to a physical "CRO kicking strap", whatever that might be. The IOMICA report is simply poorly worded.

Perhaps a photo of your VISS kicking strap would help us compare it to the current IOM class rules.

Hi Richard,

(I believe,in no official capacity), that as both the FRA and CRO proposals on differing kicker/vang restrictions were not passed, that the rules are as read prior to an emergency 2024 change that was not IRSA ratified.

While it may have initially passed at events (by some measurers), there are equally a number of measurers around the world,(including myself), concerned that without genuine area restriction, that the kicker/vang may not be in line with a closed class rule set. Precedents and previous rule changes/banning of equipment due to size would support this. The recent IOMICA voting reflected the divided opinion on just how big a kicker/vang can be before it is considered larger than its purpose.

I expect the freshly elected IOMICA Technical Officer will have this issue at the top of his to do list leading into the big events this year. Until that happens, the class has not officially ruled either way on the kicker/vang legality as an official class interpretation was never sought or given.

In the meantime, as suggested above, both your supplier and MYA Technical official will no doubt keep you and others in the same position up to speed should any change be needed.

Cheers

Brad

I have a PJ Vang on my K2 it works fine.

22 hours ago, Darin Ballington said:

Hi John, all good here in the frozen midlands! Well it did snow for a couple of hrs:)

I think that you would need to ask the question of IOMICA but my take is that the rules are not changed by the 25 AGM at this time, and as long as the fitting complies with these then it’s still good.

19 hours ago, Brad Gibson said:

Hi Richard,

(I believe,in no official capacity), that as both the FRA and CRO proposals on differing kicker/vang restrictions were not passed, that the rules are as read prior to an emergency 2024 change that was not IRSA ratified.

While it may have initially passed at events (by some measurers), there are equally a number of measurers around the world,(including myself), concerned that without genuine area restriction, that the kicker/vang may not be in line with a closed class rule set. Precedents and previous rule changes/banning of equipment due to size would support this. The recent IOMICA voting reflected the divided opinion on just how big a kicker/vang can be before it is considered larger than its purpose.

I expect the freshly elected IOMICA Technical Officer will have this issue at the top of his to do list leading into the big events this year. Until that happens, the class has not officially ruled either way on the kicker/vang legality as an official class interpretation was never sought or given.

In the meantime, as suggested above, both your supplier and MYA Technical official will no doubt keep you and others in the same position up to speed should any change be needed.

Cheers

Brad

Thanks Brad and all the other reply’s. I just want to sail a legal boat and have fun. I am awaiting a reply from Sailboat RC. I suspect that it will be a long time if ever that I worry the top tier unless I add a motor…..now there’s an idea😃

Gents,

I've just returned from the US Championships, where the original VISS vang system was still in use. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough time between the voting results and the US regatta for VISS owners to make any necessary changes. From what I’ve gathered from the US fleet, they are eagerly awaiting a decision from the newly elected IOMICA Officers. Before Christmas, there were some heated discussions online through the IOMICA Forum, and I’m sure the conversation will continue.

It's true that the Croatian vote regarding the Vang system didn’t go their way. While they can reapply, that process might take another 12 months. The MYA will likely wait for guidance from IOMICA, but skippers will need some time if there are any changes to be made. If I was a VISS owner, I would have a Plan B in place for this season.

JT

Edited January 12Jan 12 by John Taylor

Members

The new IOMICA Vice Chair Technical, Andrew Crocker has published a discussion post referencing the 'VISS' Vang / Kicking Strap.

I encourage members to read the post and attached document. If you remember, the Vang / Kicking Strap system was rejected in the recent AGM voting process and has caused a lot of heated debate.

Link: IOMICA Vang Post

Regards

JT

Size of vangs - discussion paper - 260115.docx

Edited January 15Jan 15 by John Taylor

Lots still 'ongoing' then.....

I tried to read and absorb the whole doc, and one phrase that stood out to me was "this is not a sustainable position for the IOM class".

I'd refer readers back to Richard's initial posting, which i took to summarise as "I just want to sail my Viss, but am I going to get protested and thrown out of every event I'm about to enter?"

Rules are needed, but for me its a hobby, a way to enjoy free time. Too much politico will spoil it at grass roots and for newcomers, and ultimately therefore for everyone.

To repeat, the likes of Richard doubtless don't want to get involved in the miniscule aero arguments [probably of zero effect to 99.9% of participants] about their kicker - they just want to be allowed to compete, learn, enjoy...

There's obviously some tragic politics going on over this but, for the sake of UK events, the MYA could perhaps publish a 'ruling for national events for 2026'? Just for clarity and confidence for the vast majority.

(And an umpire/jury judgement on a mark rounding is going to have way more effect on a championship than the CSA of a kicker)

Edited January 15Jan 15 by Colin Helliwell

People seem to have forgotten the fundamental principle behind closed class rules, which is "anything not expressly allowed within the rules is not allowed"... People look for a "secret weapon". Be better to concentrate in improving their sailing...

After reading the response to my post on the IOMICA Forum and to answer Richard's and Colin's concerns.

I believe a statement on the Vang issue will come from the Technical Vice Chair sometime in February.

IOMICA Forum link: HERE

Regards

JT

On 17/01/2026 at 09:33, Guzzilazz said:

People seem to have forgotten the fundamental principle behind closed class rules, which is "anything not expressly allowed within the rules is not allowed"... People look for a "secret weapon". Be better to concentrate in improving their sailing...

Absolutely agree. A good start and nailing the shifts is way more important than (for us mortals) a 0.02% advantage which could be gained by a kicker design. (One which, really, is it actually of aerodynamic advantage?)

No offence to the top skippers, it matters to the hotshots at that level, but it really doesn't (and ideally shouldn't) at the grass roots of most of us. Else why are we here....?

Class and National associations must not get too up their wotsits, or the sport overall will suffer. Seems to be, sadly, some apparent politics which MYA, IOMICA, Builders seem to be still unable to resolve. Yep, Larry, closed rules - so how hard can it be?