International Etchells Class Association
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Notice of Class Rule Change Vote

published 06/27/2025

This is official notification from the International Etchells Class Association (IECA) International Governing Committee (IGC) about a Class Rule change vote. In eight weeks, all members eligible to vote as of the date of this notification will be provided a ballot to vote on the following proposed changes to the IECA Class Rules (note, in the linked document, the changes are formatted per World Sailing requirements and are not in the same order as presented below):

Proposal 1

To align the rules with the Equipment Rules of Sailing and long-standing class practice about including fitted pumps and spinnaker boxes in Complete Boat Weight, the IGC proposes the following changes: 

  • Amend C.5.1(a)(1) to read “Hand pump, which may be fastened, see C.7.4(c)(9).” This change clarifies that while a hand pump is mandatory, a fitted hand pump meets the mandatory requirement of current rule C.5.1.(a)(1) and makes it clear that if a boat has a fitted hand pump it doesn’t also need a portable one.  

  • Amend C.5.1(b)(4) to read “Extra hand pumps.” This change removes electric bilge pump systems from the portable equipment designation.  

  • Add to rule C.7.4(c) the following to allow for hand pumps, electric bilge pump systems, and spinnaker stowage bags and boxes to be fittings: 
    (9) Hand pumps
    (10) An electric bilge pump system (pump, battery, wiring, and switches) weighing no more than 6 kg in total, with the battery securely positioned in the port seat locker and easily removable for weighing
    (11) Spinnaker stowage bag(s)/box(es)

These changes will be voted on as one block. The class has been operating under a rules exemption from World Sailing to allow for these items to be included in Complete Boat Weight. That exemption has expired. 

Proposal 2

To allow for the Class to use electronic devices (such as the RaceSense system, which was used at the 2025 World Championship and various other regattas under an exemption from World Sailing), the IGC proposes to add the following to rule C.5:

  • C.5.3 The Notice of Race may change C.5.1 and/or C.5.2 to include electronic instrumentation that is not connected to external sensors.

This change would not mandate the use of electronics, but would allow it, should the Notice of Race for an event allow it. 

Proposal 3

To clarify that self-tacking jibs are not allowed, the IGC proposes to amend C.7.4(c)(1) to read: “General control blocks and fittings , except that no bridge decks or traveller crossing the centre plane are permitted other than the mainsheet traveller under the after end of the boom. This rule applies to, amongst other things, self-tacking headsails and vangs.”

This restriction on any traveller that crosses the centreline was in the class rules from inception until 2008. In 2008 it was dropped from the class rules. Documentation shows that removing this limitation was not subject to a class vote nor was it agreed by the class’s International Governors; it was merely omitted when the rules were re-drafted.

Proposal 4

Add a section to allow modified M11 hulls to participate in events of the International Etchells Class Association. The proposal is to allow modified M11 hulls to participate in events only in Australia. This proposal is supported by both the IECA and the International Etchells Class Association of Australia. The proposal is to include in the Class Rules a new section that is worded the same as the recently-expired exemption from World Sailing to allow modified M11 hulls to participate in events, additionally specifying that their participation is limited to events in Australia. 

Proposal 5

Modify Plan 3MKB-25G1 - Mast to add dimensions for the for-aft and transverse length/width of the mast at the midpoint of the taper to be 91mm +7/-0 mm. There are currently no toleranced dimensions on the plan that would allow fundamental measurement of the taper. Spar manufacturing is inherently an imprecise process, with errors being introduced when the vee is cut, when the remaining front and back parts of the extrusion are bent to mate together, by variability in welding and in heat-stress recovery after welding. So there is a wide range of mast taper-dimensions in the current fleets, with the fore-aft dimension 92mm to 102mm having been measured at recent events. The proposed tolerance has been discussed with the spar builders and is representative of the majority of masts.

The class believes that this is contrary to its one-design ethos and wants to set dimensions that will allow for fundamental measurement and also push spar-makers to make more equal spars and promote fairer racing; also to avoid the cost of campaigning with masts of different taper dimensions. Some existing masts would not comply with these dimensions, however class rules state:

F.2.1(a) The spars and their fittings shall comply with the class rules in force at the time of certification of the spar. 

And so these existing, non-compliant masts would still; be allowed to be used while racing. 

In addition, to comply with California non-profit law, we need code-compliant bylaws, which mirror the current Constitution and would replace that document. Differences between the proposed document and the current Constitution are limited to clarifications and those necessary for the Class to comply with California law. The IGC has reviewed and approved this document. The reviewers included attorneys from three different fleets (Australia, Hong Kong, and the United States). 

Approval Process

  • This serves as the notification of the proposed rule change (27 June 2025 PDT).

  • According to the Constitution, voting begins eight weeks after notification and the electronic voting will open on 22 August 2025 for all eligible IECA members as of the day of this notification.

  • The voting period will be open for 20 days. Votes will be accepted up until 11 September 2025. 

  • Email comments on the proposal may be submitted to the class office for distribution on the website up until 14 days prior to the close of balloting, 28 August 2025.

  • Following the class accepting these changes World Sailing (WS) must approve the changes.  

The IGC will be hosting informational sessions, likely in August. More information about scheduling and registration will follow.

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