iom yacht rules

IOM success

Where might we go from here.

My first thought was to simplify the measurement of an IOM, and thus to simplify the class rules.  After a couple of years of trying to simplify the rules, I realised they were about as simple as they could possibly be and still achieve a "home-build one-design".  [Yes, indeed!  For those doubters out there, I invite you to have a go yourselves at simplifying the IOM rules and still end up with essentially the same boat.  Jan always reminds me that the apparently "simple" IOM class is achieved by "complex" rules.  There seems to be something of an inverse relationship between the "simplicity" of a class and "complexity" of the rules.]  The idea, of course, is to maximise the appeal of the class to the club skipper, to encourage its increased adoption in countries where it has not yet achieved a significant position, and to minimise regulatory and measurement problems and overhead.  I now think that the IOM class association should introduce an IOM design which is a strict one-design hard-chine hull (the Boxkite is on offer from Graham Bantock) with materials restricted to wood only in both hull and appendages.  This kind of IOM would use "normal" measured IOM rigs and sails, but ball-raced goosenecks or jib swivels would not be permitted.  Using an idea of Charlie Coventry, whenever this kind of design races with other IOMs, the other IOMs would have 2 points added to their score in every race of that event.  We might call this kind of IOM the BOM -- the Box One Metre and provide it with its own class rules.

Following this idea, and taking it one step further, is to introduce a "manufacturer" IOM.  This design would consist of a complete kit of materials and fittings, needing only radio control to go racing.  Its rules would be very simple -- you can use only what is in the kit, and you have to use it the way the kit instructions say.  This would be the MOM class, and it would have its own class rules.

My second thought a while ago was to improve the standard of sailing at IOM events.  We now have umpiring at International events, and this I think is an excellent development.  So my second thought now is to give experimenters and tinkerers a class to play in as well -- a "Marblehead" IOM, if you like.  So I think the IOM class association should introduce a kind of One Metre, where there are no restrictions on materials or fittings, while keeping the "normal" IOM length, weight, and overall draught limits for a mono-hull, and the "normal" IOM dimensions for the sails.  Everything else is "free".  Extending Charlie's idea, every such "unlimited" One Metre would have 1 point added to its score when racing.  We might call this kind of One Metre the FOM -- the Free One Metre, and again provide it with its own class rules.

While the BOM and MOM could measure as an IOM, the FOM obviously would not.  The FOM's attraction is that it conforms to the IOM "core" idea -- a minimum displacement in a one metre length with standard size sails -- while allowing itchy fingers and enquiring minds to enjoy freedom...  Neither the BOM, MOM, nor the FOM would be "International" classes, but who knows what time might bring us if boats were built and raced in these classes around the world?  It might be worth being clear that none of these ideas actually affect the IOM class and the IOM class rules -- these continue exactly as they are.  If you are interested in reviewing and commenting upon the proposed BOM, FOM, and MOM class rules, e-mail me and I can send you a document.

New Zealand Radio Yachting Association Inc.

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IOM Class Rules and Measuring

Links: About Rules and Measuring 

Measurement  Forms

IOM Certification Measurement Form 22

IOM Hull Certification Control Check List Form form hull 22

IOM Rig Certification Measurement Check List Form 22

About IOM Class Rules

IOM Registration and Measuring Overview

IOMICA  Measurement Forms

Sail Numbers

3D Print rules

IOM Questions and Answers 

Measuring Tank

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The International One Metre (IOM) class is a 1m long hull with 1.7m mast height and a minimum weight of 4kg. The class rules are very tight and limit yachts to 2-function control and 3 one-design rigs. Hull, ballast, draught and construction materials are also limited. There is sufficient freedom to allow different hull and fin/rudder shapes to be developed.

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Click the picture to get to the boat's page The IOM Class The International One Metre class was created by Jan Dejmo, with the support of Graham Bantock and the Permanent Committee of the ISAF-Radio Sailing Division, and adopted by ISAF-RSD in 1988. The intent was to pull together a variety of "One metre" class rules from different countries, and provide for a common, restricted, inexpensive international class of stable, easily-built designs. The result is the most popular RC racing yacht class in the world. The class has enjoyed such success because competitive IOMs can be built by an ordinary modeller at home, and due to the class restrictions competitive boats remain competitive for a number of years. IOM rules The performance of a RC yacht depends on hull lenght, beam, displacement, sail area, bulb draft, ballast ratio and rig plan. The only parameter than can be freely changed is the beam, all others are restricted by the IOM class rules. Therefore it is primarily differing beams and positions of maximum beam, which distinguish the different IOM designs. In addition to performance factors, the class rules explicitly restrict certain materials and construction methods in order to keep the class inexpensive and able to be built by an amateur builder. Radio control is restricted to two channels. Appendages and sails can be made of any material. A competitive boat can be built at home.

International One Metre (IOM)

Sanctioned in 1998. The International One Metre (IOM) is the fastest growing class in the world. The rules in this class are identical to those used throughout the globe. The class has a one-design rig and weight minimums, but the hull design is very much developmental.

IOMs Are Sailed At...

Workers Hubertus Model Boat Club

Illawarra radio yacht club, sydney maritime modellers club inc, newcastle radio yacht squadron inc., lake macquarie radio yacht club inc., koonawarra bay sailing club inc., lastest iom news & results....

IOM GP2 Susan McAnna Memorial Trophy

Eastcoast IOM Championship – Rnd1 Feb 2024

IOM East Coast Challenge – 2024 – Gordon Maguire & Greg Torpy

New new new news – east coast iom championship.

Close of 2023 Message from NSWRYA President

Nswrya 2023 iryc iom invitational report.

Emsworth Radio Sailing

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EMSWORTH SAILING CLUB                  and               EMSWORTH SLIPPER SAILING CLUB

International One Meter - the most global class of all.

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Black Ice V2

Butterfly 2

Celebration

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Cockatoo MK2

Fe Fe 2 MK2

Hoochie Koo

Ice Breaker

Little Fellow

Little Wing

Maniac MK II

Maximuss MK2

Metric Magick

Micro Brew 4

Moussaillon

Olympic Evo

Paper Clip Mk2

Race Ready 4

Race Ready II

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Scharming MK14

Scharming Mk8

Sharming XV

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Southern Cross 3

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The Best IOM

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On-Going Event Information

Usa international one metre national class association.

Welcome to the USA IOM NCA website! Below you will find recent newsletter posts, to include results, regatta reports, and other class news! Please take a moment to click below and sign up to our website to receive email alerts for newsletter posts and to assist us in maintaining a complete contact list of USA class members!

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• International One Metre (IOM)
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Status of Class: Adopted Administrative Body: IOMICA

Since its inception in the late 1980’s the International One Metre (IOM) has become the most popular class in the UK.

Sailed at most clubs on a regular basis it is now the class that creates the largest fleets, with regular fleets of 30 boats at district level and a maximum entry at most international events. The class rules for the International Classes are governed by the International Radio Sailing Association (IRSA) and IOM ICA.

• IOM GBR Events here
• IOM International Events here
• IOM Class website (IOM ICA) here
• IOM GBR website here
• IOM Class Rules here
• IOM Class Measurement Procedure here
• IOM Class Measurement Forms here
• IOM Boats For Sale or Wanted here
• Please visit our Knowledgebase or Q&A for more help
• You will find further Q&A relating to the IOM Class here
• previous post: Measurement and Certification Procedure
• next post: Marblehead Class (M)

International One Metre Radio Sailing Great Britain

About iom gbr.

IOM GBR is the class owner group for IOM RC yachts in the UK. It represents the class to the IOM International Class Association (IOMICA) who manage the class globally on behalf of World Sailing.  This includes ensuring that IOM owners are able to propose and vote on proposed changes to class rules, including administration, to IOMICA.

Any MYA member with a registered IOM is automatically a member IOM GBR, further registration is no longer required.

IOMICA have responsibility for:

The World Championships

The European Championships

The IOMICA Annual General Meeting

More information on IOMICA can be found here

The International One Metre Radio Controlled Yacht

  “The first boat in my life that didn’t require a mooring, dinghy park space, launching trolley, foul weather gear or harbour dues and gives me two days sailing a week. Fantastic!”

To find a club nearby click: Here or send us an email from the Contact Us   page if you can’t find what you are looking for.

Enthusiasm for the sport is addictive, many clubs have ‘guest’ days, some have loan boats, and all will welcome you to their community.

The IOM is a great boat to sail and its rules and measurement are relatively simply allowing the amateur and professional alike to exploit hull shape/fin/mast/ deck configuration - Steve Taylor

History of IOM RC Yachts

Created in 1988 by Jan Dejmo, the IOM class rules were written to enable boats to be built from scratch or kit by non-expert builders and inexpensively by a commercial builder without disadvantage to either group.

or glass re-inforced composite with carbon fibre being allowed in the construction of the fin and rudder. 

Spars shall be of alloy or timber and the sails are to 'One Design' sizes, with the number of rigs is limited to three.

Hulls must be constructed of either wood as this beautiful example

This makes  the class very popular for amateur builders and many designers have plans for competitive boats. There are a number of Builders here in UK and overseas,  who can supply plans for home completion, hulls and rigs or complete boats.

A limit of three different rig sizes allows sailing in most conditions from a lazy summer day to winds gusting over in excess of 30kts!

These boats, which handle beautifully, are fast, responsive and quite addictive. Once you have experienced  sailing one, there is no going back.