MYA Council Chat 23rd January 2023

Measurement of our boats has been a hot topic for a few months now, and at the council meeting on Saturday January 7th it was raised again.

What is the current position?

In August 2022 we came to an agreement with the RYA which will give us full responsibility for our measurement processes that meets the requirement to use Official Measurers as required by the class rules. However, the current stumbling block is that of Sail Measurer training; at the moment the agreed route is that the MYA may adapt the RYA training to relate better to our classes which the RYA will then approve as the agreed method.

Unfortunately, at this time the RYA has yet to finalise their on-line training system for the MYA to adapt although in person courses have started. ***

What is the MYA doing about this?

At the meeting it was decided that we would wait a little longer for the RYA, and review at the next meeting in February.

Why are we doing this?

The system for Sail Measurer training has to be approved by the RYA and creating our own training plan will undoubtedly be time consuming and will simply cover the same ground. Obviously, this cannot be an endless wait and at some stage the MYA may have to discuss its options further.

A full explanation of the MYA/RYA agreement and how to become a measurer can be found in the Knowledgebase of the MYA website. HERE

What does this mean for the club skipper and measurer in 2023?

If you are an existing measurer then you can continue to measure boats and the MYA registrars will accept your paperwork until the end of 2023, and skippers need have no concerns.

If you wish to become a new measurer, it is possible to complete the MYA Class Measurer paperwork and qualify as a MYA Class Measurer, however at this time there is no route to becoming an official Sail Measurer without going on an RYA Sail Measurement course, or waiting for the on-line version to be introduced. Therefore, a new measurer would not be able to measure a full boat and new sails at this time solely through the MYA training.

*** Since the meeting we have been informed of two RYA sail measurement courses taking place and MYA members have taken up places, we will keep you informed of any more courses being held.

Rest assured that your council is doing what it can to move this forward to continue the reputation of GBR racing systems and skippers as being amongst the best in the world.