If you’ve bought yourself a nice second hand boat to start, to get your race certificate sent off to the super class registrar at MYA and get it transferred to your name.

But what if you need to get measured? Got a new boat maybe? Got a boat without a certificate? Well, find yourself a qualified measurer – we have two at Datchet Radio Sailing.

A lot of us, even as newcomers, will have IOMs. I was fascinated as a newcomer to hear that there are tanks or boxes for the measurement process. Do you know what they look like? The one above is just being filled with water.

If your builder supplies a compliance certificate for the hull, then the main work is measuring the rigs. Interestingly, to get your certificate your boat need not go in the tank. However, be aware that when you measure in at a Championship, a tank test might be needed. So if someone offers you a test now, my recommendation is accept the offer straight away and see what is going on.

My understanding is that here are basically four tests the measurer look for.

1/Does it float freely in the tank, which I believe is an overall length test.

2/ You can check the fore and aft trim easily… move your correctors about for your desired trim. Is this measurement or just what you’d want? Im not sure. Someone will write in and tell me.

3/ Does it float -a depth test

4/There is a cunning window on the side of the tank to see how much draught the hull is taking. See that black line? I think the hull has to float above it. (Again if I am wrong, please write in!!)

Fascinating. If you are offered a tank test, take it!!