ISO (dinghy)

ISO
Boat
Crew2 (single trapeze)
Hull
Hull weight100 kg (220 lb)
LOA4,740 mm (15 ft 7 in)
Beam1,750–2,000 mm (5 ft 9 in – 6 ft 7 in)
Sails
Spinnaker area18.8 m2 (202 sq ft)
Upwind sail area14.3 m2 (154 sq ft).
Racing
RYA PN922[1]
Former class of World Sailing

ISO[2] is an International Sailing Federation (ISAF) class of two-person sailing dinghy with a single trapeze and an asymmetric spinnaker. The ISO was designed in 1993 by Ian Howlett and John Caig and manufactured by Reg White Limited of Brightlingsea as part of the "White Formula" range of boats originally marketed by Topper International Ltd and since 2013 by Vantage Sailing Ltd.[3] The boat has a fully battened mainsail, jib and an asymmetric spinnaker.

The name ISO reflects a feature of the design that allows different sized crews to compete on an equal basis. This is achieved by a crew weight equalisation system consisting of removable wings. The wings may not be used if the trapezing crew weighs more than 78kg (to equalise righting moment) and must be used if the combined helm and crew weight is less than 135kg (to equalise weight in the boat). If neither of these mandatory rules apply the crew may choose whether or not to use wings but may not change this decision during a race series.[4]

Around 700 boats have been built with sail numbers starting at 501. The ISO is designed to be a relatively easy boat to sail for its performance level. It belongs to the racing skiff category. In the UK the ISO Class Association is affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).[5]

  1. ^ "RYA Portsmouth Number List 2017" (PDF). Royal Yachting Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
  2. ^ "Home". isoracing.org. Retrieved 2017-04-27.
  3. ^ "Vantage Sailing Ltd". vantagesailing.com. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
  4. ^ "ISO Dinghy Class Rules". isoracing.org. ISO Class Association. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
  5. ^ "RYA Affiliation". isoracing.org. ISO Class Association. Retrieved 2017-04-27.