New Class Rules - In Effect March 15

The IMCA Technical Committee spent several months reviewing and debating proposed Class Rule changes, and as a result approved several, as follows, which go in effect on March 15, 2025. The new Rules can be found here on the Fleet 1 & 2 Regional website. Here is a summary of changes:

3.1.3 Keel and Rudder modifications:
Competitors shall discuss pending changes with a Fleet Measurer....  (prior wording was "should").

3.2.3 Plinth Measurement
The following sentence has been added: 

"The tolerance for the Plinth Measurement shall be +/- 10mm (.4 inches). The Plinth measurement shall be taken when the tensioning-strap system per Rule 3.3.17 and the boat shrouds are completely loose." (tolerance increased from +/- 6mm as for other measurements)

Furthermore, the Measurer's Handbook has been updated to add this following guideline re the Plinth measurement: "And it does not matter if the boat is on a trailer or in the water when the Plinth measurement is taken." The Committee agreed to re-evaluate this section in a year.

3.3.1.7.1 experimental adjustable jib halyard tension
deleted.

3.7.5 Crew Weight
amended to read: 
The total weight of the crew dressed in swimwear, t-shirts, or shorts, cannot exceed a total of 363kg (800 pounds). Individual crew names, their respective weights, and the total crew weight for each boat shall be specified on the Crew Weight Form for any M242 National, North American, or International Championship Regatta. 
(no change to overall weight limit, only the required clothing during weigh-in)

3.7.5.1 Certifying Crew Weight
amended to read: 
For crews that have a stated combined weight greater than 345 kg (760 pounds), weights must be certified on the Crew Weight Form by an independent party (Fleet Measurer, Fleet Captain, Executive Committee Member, or a representative appointed by the Class). This certification must be scheduled with the appropriate independent party no sooner than 3 days before the event and no later than the morning of the first day of the event. No protests shall be allowed against a certified team for exceeding the maximum weight during the event. For crews that have a stated combined weight less than or equal to 345 kg (760lbs), no independent check is required.
(Removes the requirement for all crews to weigh in at the event, and the possibility of re-weighing during the event if protested. Now only crews near the weight limit must weigh in some time before the event starts.)

The intent of this rule change is to enable crew to compete at a major Championship and also enjoy themselves and the event, rather than being focused on limited socializing and keeping their weight down due to possible protest.

Appendix B - Foil Sections
The following section has been added as a Local Variance for Fleets 1, 2, and 4 for keels. Fleet 3 has opted out because all their keels are in compliance:

Appendix B.1 - Fleet 1, 2, and 4 Local Variance: All keels that are short from top to bottom and/or front to back are grandfathered and may be used in a Fleet 1, 2, and 4 Championship event. However, any boat that appears to have gained an unfair advantage due to this relaxation of the Rules shall be required to bring its keel into conformance with Appendix B, if so directed by the IMCA Technical Committee. For additional clarity, any keel that is found to be too long top to bottom and/or front to back shall be required to comply with the limits in Appendix B in order to obtain a Measurement Certificate.

The Technical Committee feels that "short, fat, keels" are not performance-enhancing, and were supplied as such by the Builder. Also, these keels have historically required significant cost to bring into compliance.  It will be up to each owner to determine if it is worth it to modify these keels to meet the class rules. The Committee was most concerned about over-long keels and fat leading edge radii, neither of which are grandfathered.

Similarly, the following section has been added as a Local Variance for Fleets 1, 2, and 4 for rudders. Fleet 3 has opted out because all their rudders are in compliance:

Appendix B.2 - Fleet 1, 2, and 4 Local Variance: Rudders as supplied by the Builder that don’t meet the above specifications may be grandfathered on a case-by-case basis via an appeal to the IMCA Technical Committee via the local Fleet Measurer. Grandfathered rudders may be used in a Fleet 1, 2, and 4 Championship event. However, any boat that appears to have gained an unfair advantage due to this relaxation of the Rules shall be required to bring its rudder into conformance with Appendix B, if so directed by the IMCA Technical Committee.