IOMICA Forum

On another discussion group there is a conversation going on about the proper way of marking your hull with its certificated number.

I was told, when I started in with this class a few years ago, that the wording in Section C of the rules meant you had some nicely done letters and numbers stuck on the deck somewhere so that the hull number was always visible to the world.

Then to comply with the similar wording regarding hull numbering in Section D of the rules you would mark the inside of the hull on the raw fibreglass with something like a permanent marker. With the idea that the one on the inside would always remain in place through exterior refinishing, etc.

An opinion was given in this other forum that the interior one is no longer required and that the one on deck cover both sections of the rules.

Understanding that it is very easy to add the interior one if an event tech inspector or a measurer believes it is needed, I just thought I would ask the question on behalf of that group.

Just so you don't pick on me, mine are all marked inside and out.

I received an answer that indicates that you could satisfy both sections with a number just on the hull but that it takes more than just a sticky backed number.

Considering the cost of simply writing it on the inside with a Sharpie I think the advice is to put the nice sticker on the outside and write it on the inside.

this works well too:
- print out the number on normal copy paper with a laser printer
- attach to hull with epoxy. the epoxy will saturate the paper and you'll get a nice number badge which is firmly attached to the hull.

Sometimes the obvious is, well, too obvious. That would look a lot better than my chicken scratches with a Sharpie.

Should this permanent interior number be the originally registered number.
My boat was previously registered in Barbados, and I'm not entirely sure that is the first place it was registered.

It has to be at least the current one as, I think, only the most current certificate is really the applicable one. Previous ones may have some historical value but aren't what is in force so . . . I think they no longer mean anything. Someone else might chime in.

This is how I read the class rules.

When a boat is exported, the original certificate is to be sent to the new country. Rule A.11.4


The new country issues a new number. Rule A.14.1(a)

The number is the country letters plus a sequential number.

I've changed the registration with our National Secretary. Although I have not actually received my certificate yet. I was told my new number and have marked my sails and hull exterior accordingly. There are no markings inside of the hull however. Just trying to determine which number to put inside.

Put the new USA registration number inside the boat. Remember the sails only have the last two digits of your registration number.

Roy,

Why is it we still only put the last 2 digits on our sails. Isnt it time to address that and put our full sailnumber on the sails?

Its seems like an old rule that harkens back to the old days of ISAF - back when country IDs were only 2 characters, etc. In this instance ISAF has gotten with the program. What is the process to suggest that RSD do the same and allow the full number on sails?

Jim
USA-370

The minimum size for sail numbers that can be seen by the majority of sailors with 20/20 or corrected eyes over the distances needed for IOM racing is 100mm or there abouts, that being the size required for the IOM.
Now in countries with large numbers of registered boats, with numbers in the thousands, can you imagine the 'mess' that would just about cover even a No1 mainsail, if there were eight numbers, (four each side), and the national letters. It is bad enough trying to fit in room for the occasional extra 1 or 2 when numbers clash. Try to imagine putting all these numbers on a No3 rig. Dinna be silly, man!.
Also try to imagine the confusion that would ensue when start and finish line judges had to rattle off a series of four digit numbers to a recorder.

Cheers

Ralph

Thanks Roy

Thanks, Ralph. Couldn't have said it any better.