IJSBA is pleased to release the tentative text change for the 2025 Competition Rule Book. These items were announced January 12. IJSBA allowed a couple of extra days for incoming clarification data. Now without all opportunities to supply data closed, the following wording is presented for peer review. If you have input on this language, please send it to IJSBA by emailing info@ijsba.com. This language will be transcribed into the online Rule Book on February 1. The tentative text for Runabout Naturally Aspirated will be published in a separate post.
2025 Competition Rule Book Change:
7.9.9 Race officials (including but not limited to the Race Director and/or event Promoter) may not compete in sanctioned events at which they are officiating or promoting.
New Text:
7.9.9 Race officials (including but not limited to the Race Director and/or event Promoter or their family members) may not compete in sanctioned events at which they are officiating or promoting without giving adequate prior notice to participants. When a race official, or a race official’s immediate family member, participates in an event, a substitute race official must be designated prior to the beginning of the event and that official must remain in this position during all times during the on course participation (including subsequent inspections) of the official or official’s family member. The substitute official must also remain in this position throughout the remainder of the event if the race official becomes incapacitated. Where this policy is not adhered to, affected participants may request refunds from the event promoter. IJSBA headquarters will be the final arbiter as to whether this policy has been properly adhered.
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7.22.1 A race official’s decision based upon the exercise of his/her judgment may not be protested under any circumstances.
New Text:
7.22.1 A race official’s decision based upon the exercise of his/her judgment may not be protested under any circumstances other than where a race official, or a race official’s family member, has participated in the event. A participant may appeal the judgment of a race official when there is an active conflict of interest. An active conflict of interest exists when a race official or race official’s immediate family participates in an event. Only persons who have been scored against the race official, or race official’s immediate family, may protest a decision by the race official. The aggrieved participant may allege that the improper call was made in any category/event where the complainant participates and not just in the category/event where the official has participated. A participant may protest this decision by emailing IJSBA headquarters prior to the end of the day on which the event took place notifying IJSBA that a protest is coming. The protesting participant has, then, three business days to fully present the protest to IJSBA or the protest shall become invalid.
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FREST.2.5 Intake grate may be modified or aftermarket. Intake grate is required and must be the full length type with at least one bar running parallel to the drive shaft. Grates may not extend more than 12.00mm (0.47 in.) below the flat plane of the pump intake area. All leading edges must be radiused so as not to create a hazard.
New Text:
FREST.2.5 Intake grate may be modified or aftermarket. Intake grate is required and must be the full length type with at least one bar running parallel to the drive shaft or, in the alternative, a horizontally mounted intake grate may be used where at least 40% of the intake area must be blocked by the intake grate . Grates may not extend more than 12.00mm (0.47 in.) below the flat plane of the pump intake area. All leading edges must be radiused so as not to create a hazard.
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RRL.2.13 Engine compartment ventilation tubes must remain as originally equipped.
RAS.2.13 Engine compartment ventilation tubes must remain as originally equipped.
Note these two runabout classes require ventilation tubes to be retained. Ski categories do not require ventilation tubes to be retained. There is no text change needed, IJSBA acknowledges that “stock” based categories for Runabouts are different than those for Ski. There was no request to change these rules, simply to evaluate this and acknowledge.
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SKGP.9.3 An IJSBA approved boost pressure-relief valve must be set to release all pressure above 11.00 PSI for engines with displacements 900cc or less and 9.00 PSI for engines with displacements above 900cc.
New Text:
SKGP.9.3 An IJSBA approved boost pressure-relief valve must be set to release all pressure above 12.00 PSI for engines where forced induction is allowed. A tolerance of 1 PSI is allowed but, under no circumstances shall a watercraft test to release pressure above 13.00 PSI. Prior to the 2025 World Finals, IJSBA may revisit this range and adjust the range up or down 1.00 PSI. IJSBA will publish any change 60 days prior to World Finals.
And
SPGP.9.1 A supercharger or turbocharger may be added to four stroke engines with displacements of 1100 cc or less. Four stroke engines above 1100cc must remain naturally aspirated. If a turbocharger or supercharger is utilized on an engine with a displacement of 900cc or less then an IJSBA approved boost regulator must be used which releases all pressure above 11 psi. If a supercharger or turbocharger is utilized on an engine with a displacement between 901cc and 1100 then an IJSBA approved boost regulator must be used which releases all boost above 9 psi.
New Text:
SPGP.9.1 A supercharger or turbocharger may be added to four stroke engines with displacements of 1100 cc or less. Four stroke engines above 1100cc must remain naturally aspirated. An IJSBA approved boost pressure-relief valve must be set to release all pressure above 12.00 PSI for engines where forced induction is allowed. A tolerance of 1 PSI is allowed but, under no circumstances shall a watercraft test to release pressure above 13.00 PSI. Prior to the 2025 World Finals, IJSBA may revisit this range and adjust the range up or down 1.00 PSI. IJSBA will publish any change 60 days prior to World Finals.
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FSKL.3.4 Camshaft(s) must remain stock. Replacement bearings or bearing shells are allowed, providing they maintain their original type and dimensions. Camshaft timing may be changed.
New Text:
FSKL.3.4 Camshaft(s) must remain stock. Replacement bearings or bearing shells are allowed, providing they maintain their original type and dimensions. Camshaft timing may be changed. Adjustable timing sprockets may be affixed to camshafts.
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FSKL.4.1 Electronic fuel-injection systems: Flame arresters that meet USCG, UL-1111 or SAE J-1928 Marine backfire flame arrester test standards must be installed. If not equipped with an airflow sensor, the ducting between the flame arrestor and throttle body may be modified or aftermarket. If originally equipped with an airflow sensor, the ducting may be modified or aftermarket between the flame arrestor and airflow sensor. Modifications to the airflow downstream of the airflow sensor are not allowed. All portions of the intake manifold, including screens or other filtering or spark suppressing devices, must remain as originally equipped.
New Text:
FSKL.4.1 Electronic fuel-injection systems: Flame arresters that meet USCG, UL-1111 or SAE J-1928 Marine backfire flame arrester test standards must be installed. If not equipped with an airflow sensor, the ducting between the flame arrestor and throttle body may be modified or aftermarket. If originally equipped with an airflow sensor, the ducting may be modified or aftermarket between the flame arrestor and airflow sensor. Modifications to the airflow downstream of the airflow sensor are not allowed. All portions of the intake manifold, including screens or other filtering or spark suppressing devices, must remain as originally equipped. Idle control may be modified to change or cease idle speed. Oil catch cans may be added to the fuel system.
And
SSK.4.1 Electronic fuel-injection systems: Flame arresters that meet USCG, UL-1111 or SAE J-1928 Marine backfire flame arrester test standards must be installed. If not equipped with an airflow sensor, the ducting between the flame arrestor and throttle body may be modified or aftermarket. If originally equipped with an airflow sensor, the ducting may be modified or aftermarket between the flame arrestor and airflow sensor. Modifications to the airflow downstream of the airflow sensor are not allowed. Oil catch cans may be added to the fuel system.
New Text:
SSK.4.1 Electronic fuel-injection systems: Flame arresters that meet USCG, UL-1111 or SAE J-1928 Marine backfire flame arrester test standards must be installed. If not equipped with an airflow sensor, the ducting between the flame arrestor and throttle body may be modified or aftermarket. If originally equipped with an airflow sensor, the ducting may be modified or aftermarket between the flame arrestor and airflow sensor. Modifications to the airflow downstream of the airflow sensor are not allowed. Idle control may be modified to change or cease idle speed. Oil catch cans may be added to the fuel system.
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VSK.2.4 All watercraft may be equipped with a maximum of two sponsons. Original equipment sponsons may be modified, aftermarket, repositioned or removed. Overall length of each sponson shall not exceed 91.45cm (36.00 in.). Sponsons shall not protrude from the side of the hull by more than 100.00mm (3.94 in.) when measured in a level horizontal plane. The vertical channel created by the underside of the sponson shall not exceed 63.5mm (2.50 in.). No part of the sponson shall extend downward below the point at which the side of the hull intersects the bottom surface of the hull by more than 63.5mm (2.50 in.). Aftermarket or modified sponsons must exceed 6mm (0.24 in.) in thickness. All leading edges must be radiused so as not to create a hazard. Sponsons may not be attached to the planing surfaces of the hull. Fins, rudders, skegs and other appendages that may create a hazard will not be allowed. (See diagrams in Appendix.)
New Text:
VSK.2.4 All watercraft may be equipped with a maximum of four sponsons where two of the sponsons (one on each side of the hull) are traditional bladed sponsons and two of the sponsons are “Tubbie” type convex appendages. Original equipment sponsons may be modified, aftermarket, repositioned or removed. Overall length of each traditional type sponson shall not exceed 91.45cm (36.00 in.). Sponsons shall not protrude from the side of the hull by more than 100.00mm (3.94 in.) when measured in a level horizontal plane. The vertical channel created by the underside of the sponson shall not exceed 63.5mm (2.50 in.). No part of the sponson shall extend downward below the point at which the side of the hull intersects the bottom surface of the hull by more than 63.5mm (2.50 in.). Aftermarket or modified sponsons must exceed 6mm (0.24 in.) in thickness. All leading edges must be radiused so as not to create a hazard. “Tubbie” type convex appendage sponsons may be allowed indented leading edges so long as a channel is nor created through the entire length of the sponson. Sponsons may not be attached to the planing surfaces of the hull. Fins, rudders, skegs and other appendages that may create a hazard will not be allowed. (See diagrams in Appendix.)
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VSK.6.1 Impeller housing, stator vane assembly, pump mounting plate and/or pump shoe may be modified or aftermarket. No titanium driveshaft, impeller housing or stator vane assemblies. Impeller may be modified or aftermarket. Pump nozzle and directional nozzle may be modified or aftermarket. Overall length of the complete pump and nozzle assembly may be no more than 50.00mm (1.97 in.) longer than original equipment.
New Text:
VSK.6.1 Impeller housing, stator vane assembly, pump mounting plate and/or pump shoe may be modified or aftermarket. Titanium driveshaft, impeller housing or stator vane assemblies are permitted. Impeller may be modified or aftermarket. Pump nozzle and directional nozzle may be modified or aftermarket. Overall length of the complete pump and nozzle assembly may be extend more than 139.7mm (5.5 in.) from the transom.
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RSS.3.2 Crankshaft may be modified or aftermarket. Total weight of the crankshaft must be within +/5.00% of original equipment. Replacement bearings or bearing shells are allowed, providing they maintain their original type and dimensions.
New Text:
RSS.3.2 Pistons may be aftermarket. The entire crankshaft assembly, including connecting rods, may be modified or aftermarket. Total weight of the crankshaft must be within +/5.00% of original equipment. Replacement bearings or bearing shells are allowed, providing they maintain their original type and dimensions.
And
SKSS.3.5 Crankshaft may be modified or aftermarket. Total weight of the crankshaft must be within +/5.00% of original equipment. Replacement bearings or bearing shells are allowed, providing they maintain their original type and dimensions.
New Text.
SKSS.3.5 Pistons may be aftermarket. The entire crankshaft assembly, including connecting rods, may be modified or aftermarket. Total weight of the crankshaft must be within +/5.00% of original equipment. Replacement bearings or bearing shells are allowed, providing they maintain their original type and dimensions.
