To: Hobie Class Members
From: IHCA Rules Committee
Subject: Hobie General Rule 8.1 change proposal
Dear members,
During the 2025 Hobie Cat MultiEuropeans, we had more discussions and questions about the personal flotation device (PFD)/life jacket requirement “at the correct weight category for each crew member to the minimum standard…” and the standards mentioned in General Class Rule 8.1.
The outcome of the discussions and questions suggests it may be worth considering clarifying the existing ruling.
The proposed change is in red italic.
PROPOSAL
Change General Class Rule 8.1
OLD
The boat shall be equipped with a personal flotation device (PFD)/life jacket at the correct weight category for each crew member to the minimum standard ISO 12402-5 (CE 50 Newtons), or USCG Type III, or Level 50 (previously AUS PFD 2) or Level 50S (previously AUS PFD 3). The IHCA strongly recommends that life jackets or PFDs be worn at all times.
NEW
Each person on board shall carry a personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket that has been approved by their respective national authority or the authority having jurisdiction.
PFDs and life jackets must correspond to the crew member’s weight category as indicated by the manufacturer and must meet at least the ISO 12402-5 (CE 50 Newtons) minimum standard.
The IHCA strongly recommends that a life jacket or PFD be always worn while on board.
REASON
Clarification.
Deadline: October 31, 2025 23:59 Australian Eastern Standard.
The intention is to publish the results, including comments. Anonymised, of course. Nevertheless, please keep a sober tone.
IHCA reserves the right to delete any posts containing abusive and offensive language.
We have been asked if the system allows you to vote more than once. Yes, it does. Nevertheless, a member is only supposed to comment and vote once. If someone attempts to vote more than once, it is easily detected in the output data we receive from the database. Only one vote per member will be accepted and counted for the result.
We don’t expect to see it, but we reserve the right to exclude all data from a responder who votes more than once if a pattern shows a deliberate attempt to manipulate the survey’s outcome.
The proposed change is intended to take effect upon approval from the IHCA Council, followed by review and approval by the World Sailing Equipment Rules Sub-committee. With the schedule of the latter in mind, this is expected to happen towards the end of February 2026.
Finally, the Rules Committee intends to implement the proposed change as an interim ruling under the provisions of General Class Rule 23, pending approval by the IHCA Council and the World Sailing Equipment Rules Sub-committee.
Erik Olsen
IHCA Rules Committee Chair