The International Jet Sports Boating Association held the annual Board of Directors meeting on January 15, 2025.  The directors, at quorum, approved several internal policies for the organization including maintaining a priority for World Finals to remain in Lake Havasu City, revamping affiliate programs in Europe, expanding communication efforts with USA regional organizers, and focusing on sustainable economic models for the future.  The annual rule changes were voted upon and this bulletin contains the results of this vote.  This year, a convened rules committee provided additional advisory content for board consideration.  Please read the following statements about rule changes and email any questions or comments to info@ijsba.com.  After a 7 day period waiting period, these items will be transcribed into the online rule book.

 

 

  1. IJSBA will modify the promoter participation exclusion. This will allow promoters, and their children, to participate in IJSBA Sanctioned events.  IJSBA will require that there is a backup race director for the entire event if it is the promoter participating and that this designated race director will be the active director anytime a promoter or a promoter’s family is in a heat and this substitute director will take over if the promoter becomes incapacitated or unavailable to continue to the race management for the event.  The race director decisions for any heat/class/etc. where the promoter participates are appealable to IJSBA for review.

Result:  Passed.  IJSBA will prepare a draft policy with USA Regional Promoters which will be published after advisory comments from organizer.

 

  1. IJSBA will work with the homologated hull manufacturers to changes to allowances in aftermarket hull provisions. This includes approaching such topics such as lengths, lengths of pumps, handling features on the upper deck, etc.

Result:  IJSBA will convene the participants in the aftermarket hull homologation program to begin identifying features on the upper deck which are intended to affect handling and explore joint resolutions for potential regulation.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA redefine any parameters of the intake grate for use in Freestyle competition:

Result: IJSBA shall emphasize am intake grate is required for Freestlye competition.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA remove the requirement for a restrictor plate for 1500cc based Ski in Junior classes?

Result:  Did not pass.  Restrictor plates will remain a requirement for Junior Classes where a 1500 CC displacement is permitted.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA clarify, restrict, or expand any provisions for swapping of OEM camshafts between OEM units?

Result: While keeping in place IJSBA’s general rule for allowing interchanging camshafts between the same models of different horsepower ratings, IJSBA will explore the possibility of publishing a compatibility chart.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA clarify whether additional tubing and ventilation is allowed or not, in addition to the OEM ventilation tubes?

Result:  IJSBA will emphasize that the goal is no additional ventilation where ventilation is restricted and examine rule languages to ensure this goal is being met.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA restrict aftermarket impellers to single type impellers instead of allowing for dual type impellers?

Result:  Did not pass.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA publish the Formula Naturally Aspirated rules as a specific class set of rules?

Result:  Passed.  This will be published for peer review in seven days.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA remove boost limits in Ski GP?

 

Result:  Mixed outcome.  Boost limits shall stay in place.  All displacements up to 1100cc will be allowed a boost range for 2025 from 12 psi to 14 psi with 2025 opening at 12 psi with the initial range being 12 psi with a one pound tolerance.  Mechanical boost regulation will stay in place while electronic boost regulators are studied.  IJSBA will publish any changes 30 days prior to World Finals.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA allow electronic boost control as an alternative to mechanical boost control?

 

Result:  Electronic boost control may be implemented once researched and found to be a fit for IJSBA’s goals of boost regulation.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA change Runabout 1100 Open to Runabout 1100 GP?

 

Result:  Did not pass.

 

 

  1. Shall IJSBA eliminate Expert Ski GP and replace the category with Expert Ski Modified instead of running both classes?

 

Result:  Did not pass.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA clarify Stock and Modified rules to specifically allow for timing gears to be installed on camshafts?

 

Result:  Passed.  Camshafts which are not slotted for timing change may add a gear to allow for easier timing change.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA allow aftermarket fuel tanks in Ski Modified class?

 

Result:  Highly scrutinized aftermarket fuel tanks, which have received USCG approval, and are openly available on the market for sale may be submitted to IJSBA for approval.   Fuel tanks from homologated OEM watercraft are preferred.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA allow for any aftermarket pump to be used in Ski Modified?

 

Result:  There will be no change to this rule.  IJSBA has not had any propulsion pump submitted for approval other than the Solas model.  Pump manufacturers are welcome to submit pumps for approval.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA change Rules VSK 2.2 to allow modifications to the bottom of the ski, as long as it stays within the original length (front to back) and width (left to right)?

 

Result:  Did not pass.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA change the wording of Vintage Ski Rule SK 2.4 to allow for one set of traditional sponsons and one set of tubbies indicating left and right of each system?

 

Result:  Passed.  Additional sponson rule will be published.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA change wording in Vintage Ski Rules VSK 4.3 and VSK 5.2. VSK 4.3 to eliminate conflicts for signals pertaining to CDI and fuel injections?

 

Result:  IJSBA could not identify language conflicts preventing aftermarket fuel injections from being used in Vintage Ski.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA change wording in Vintage Ski Rule  VSK 6.1. to allow for titanium?

 

Result:  Passed.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA clarify Vintage Ski Rule VSK 6.1 is regarding ‘the overall length of a complete pump and nozzle assembly. This is to account for the fact 750 pumps don’t have a shoe as part of the assembly while the 550 does. The rule clarification is for the allowance of additional length compared to the stock length of the “complete pump assembly."

Result:  Passed

 

  1. Shall IJSBA allow Sea-Doo 1998 XP (a.k.a. XPL Hull) watercraft to utilize an aftermarket hood in Limited Classes where Two Stroke Runabout are allowed?

Result:  Did not pass.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA mandate what brand and models of the device to use for checking boost pressure so everyone will have the same reading in Ski GP, and Sport GP classes?

 

Result:  Postponed.  This will be revisited once electronic boost solutions can be identified and developed.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA print clarification in the Runabout Superstock Class to clearly and specifically indicate the allowance aftermarket rods and pistons?

 

Result:  Passed.

 

  1. Shall IJSBA implement the impede of progress rule as presented online?

 

Result:  IJSBA shall develop race director guidelines which will take into account this suggestion.  This will be a work in progress.