February 23Feb 23 I recently had an article, about buying pre measured sails, published.I understand that there have been a few comments posted on Face Book.I do not use Face Book and have not directly read the posts, but am responding here to what I have heard.So firstly I apologise if I have been misinformed, but here goes.I don't understand why our Sail Makers appear to be looking for problems and not solutions.My article was not about 'IHC In House Certification' or getting around the rules.As I understand it, IHC is where a company directly employs its own sail measurer.An independent MYA measurer, measuring a clients suit of sails, is working for the purchaser, not the sail maker.If a sail maker is concerned about conflict of interest or liability, then they could stipulate, that the customer phones the measurer and asks them to measure sails.Where they are measured is irrelevant. The sails have to be measured somewhere.There are no additional costs for the Sail Maker, other than to update web sites to include the option, to buy pre measured sails.The independent MYA measurer is paid by the purchaser separately to the cost of the sails.The sail maker has no input in the process other than to pass the clients payment to the measurer (even that could be avoided by bank transfer between client and measurer)and to ship the measured sails to the happy customer.For One Design classes, why are we complicating , what is such a simple process?
February 23Feb 23 Slightly off topic but connected, is why are measurers paid??Most people in our sport kindly give their time and sometimes pieces of equipment to help the overall good of the many.These include,People who look after clubs, chairs, secs, treas, race officers, mark layers, rescue boat operatives, grass cutters boathouse painters, the list is endless and we haven't even mentioned MYA personel! So, if all these people are giving up their time to help............why should measurers be paid??
February 23Feb 23 Author Please, for the moment could we stick to the option to buy pre measured sails from UK sail makers.Not just Sail Boat RC of Croatia
February 23Feb 23 Here is the discussion on this topic copy/pasted from the IOMICA forum.JohnCertified sailmakersPost by Art Prufer » Sun Feb 15, 2026 9:02 amAccording to this rule:G.2.2 CERTIFICATION (a) Except where sails are certified as in (b) the official measurer shall certify sails in the tack and shall date each with the date of certification control. (b) An MNA may appoint one or more persons at a sailmaker to certify sails produced by that manufacturer. A special licence shall be awarded for that purpose.AND ON THE RIG MEASUREMENT FORM:MAINSAILS31. G.2.2(b) If the sails have been certificated by a manufacturer awarded a special license, then omit steps 32 to 60HEADSAILS60. G.2.2 (b) If the sails have been certificated by a manufacturer awarded a special licence, omit steps 62 to 86Where can we get the list of manufacturers who have been awarded this special licence, and what sail markings are required to indicate that they have been 'pre-certified' ? Last edited by Art Prufer on Mon Feb 16, 2026 12:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.Art PruferCRYA #1189 Can 42https://westcoastradiosailing.caTopAndrew CrockerVice-chairman (Technical)Re: Certified sailmakersPost by Andrew Crocker » Sun Feb 15, 2026 2:14 pmHi Art - thanks for the question. It is an interesting one.I will do some follow up on this and post a response once I have it clarified. RegardsAndrewVC TechnicalRe: Certified sailmakersPost by Andrew Crocker » Thu Feb 19, 2026 1:45 pmHi Art,Thanks again for your question.The short answer is that there are no licensed IOM class sailmakers in the terms of Class Rule G.2.2(b).G.2.2(b) was adopted into the IOM Class Rules from the World Sailing Standard Class Rules (SCR) and refers to the World Sailing In-House Equipment Certification (IHC) programme – see https://www.sailing.org/inside-world-sa ... ification/. At present, the International One Metre class is not a participating class association and, given the way in which the IHC programme operates, it is difficult to see how it would be feasible. As a result, there are no certified IOM sailmakers.The VC Measurement is reviewing this process with a view to making it more relevant for IOM sailmakers and owners.RegardsAndrew
February 23Feb 23 Hi Roger,On reading your post on the MYA FB page, I responded with the following:If a manufacturer were to advertise and take payment for measured sails, then solicit the services of a measurer to which they pay a fee, is the measurer not an employee by way of being contracted to perform a task paid for? If regularly solicited by the same sailmaker, would they not be an interested party?Art Smith from Canada then responded outlining IOMICA’s regulations regarding pre- certified sails not being permitted. I will not copy on his post hithout his permission.My response to Art is below:Hi Art, thanks for the clarification. I believe we share a similar viewpoint.As you mention, the IHC process is not feasble for manufacturers at the level we operate at, hence none have taken that step.I have been made aware of the VC Technical and Measurement reviewing the situation and they have my support on this. As one of many manufacturers, we support any way in making the sport more accessible. What is also important is making sure the playing field is level and safe guards are in place for all parties.Looking to circumvent clear class and WS IHC rules and guidelines is not the solution that works for all.I cannot speak for other sailmakers, but I can assure you I am not looking to create a problem. What I am doing is operating within the rules and guidelines of both IOMICA and WS as I understand them. I have also offered my support personally to the newly elected IOMICA Technical Chairman who is considering options on how manufacturer certified sails can become more widely available to class owners without sailmakers having to have WS qualifications.RegardsBrad
February 23Feb 23 "The short answer is that there are no licensed IOM class sailmakers in the terms of Class Rule G.2.2(b).G.2.2(b) was adopted into the IOM Class Rules from the World Sailing Standard Class Rules (SCR) and refers to the World Sailing In-House Equipment Certification (IHC) programme – see https://www.sailing.org/inside-world-sa ... ification/. At present, the International One Metre class is not a participating class association and, given the way in which the IHC programme operates, it is difficult to see how it would be feasible. As a result, there are no certified IOM sailmakers."So how are Sailboat RC able to sell pre-certified sails for a fee paid directly to them for an integral component of the contract between them and their customer?
February 24Feb 24 The Consumer Protection laws may differ from country to country, but we have a law in Canada that refers to ‘suitability to purpose’. I take that to mean that if the seller says that are selling you IOM sails, those sails have to be compliant with the class rules. If the sails fail to measure in, they are not class legal IOM sails and the seller has failed to comply with the ‘contract’.So if the sail maker advertises IOM sails, they are obligated to provide class legal sails.John Edited February 24Feb 24 by John Ball added words
February 24Feb 24 9 hours ago, John Ball said:The Consumer Protection laws may differ from country to country, but we have a law in Canada that refers to ‘suitability to purpose’. I take that to mean that if the seller says that are selling you IOM sails, those sails have to be compliant with the class rules. If the sails fail to measure in, they are not class legal IOM sails and the seller has failed to comply with the ‘contract’.So if the sail maker advertises IOM sails, they are obligated to provide class legal sails.JohnAnd I would anticipate that a sailmaker who makes a sail that is out of "spec" will offer to rectify- like any other business.That is different to have a certification mark on the sails.IMO it is a difficult subject where we either want to play by the "big boy" rules or we do our own thing, however it cannot be right to pick and choose which rules you adopt.17 hours ago, Derek Priestley said:Slightly off topic but connected, is why are measurers paid??Most people in our sport kindly give their time and sometimes pieces of equipment to help the overall good of the many.These include,People who look after clubs, chairs, secs, treas, race officers, mark layers, rescue boat operatives, grass cutters boathouse painters, the list is endless and we haven't even mentioned MYA personel!So, if all these people are giving up their time to help............why should measurers be paid??I think the convention - certainly in the clubs I am a member of, is that measurers will offer the service to club members for free but may charge (usually donated to the club) for the non members.
February 24Feb 24 Can't remember where I read (or perceived) it, but I'd be grateful to a Measurer who did it for fellow members for free - esp. at lakeside. Which echoes Derek's point about how much many of us voluntarily do for others/club/sport. If you're travelling to a Measurer and asking for a bit of their home time then some kind of gift (or even donation to their fave charity) would i think be kind and polite.I'd like to think that the act of charging a 'fee' isn't necessary to us for the purpose of a certification being valid. Measurers are, after all, formally certified by MYA/RYA?As per Brad and John - a sailmaker shouldn't be selling "measured sails" unless they are, within Class rules. But I don't see why such subcontracting shouldn't be permitted. (= why should it be complicated).
February 25Feb 25 FYI Suggested Measurer Fees – Model Yachting Association Great Britain.As a sail measurer and IOM Class Measurer, I would like to point out that there is a requirement to BUY measuring devices that are certified to certain standards. the bill for me was Class II tape £16, Class II 600mm rule £45, weighing scales accurate to 1g in 6000g £70.In addition, I do not have a table long enough to measure sails on, and a cheap hardboard wallpapering table isn't adequate (don't ask me how I know). The "proper job" was £28. Added to that I have to print out the check lists and forms required. I've probably recouped my initial costs by now. Most sailors who are in attendance when I measure their sails, are shocked with the fact that it takes around 30-45 minutes to measure a suit...As it happens I am the closest Measurer to Sails Etc, and I have measured a number of suits/rigs for them.
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