There have been a number of Measurement rating
systems over the years including the International
Offshore Rule (IOR), Channel Rating System
(CHS) and the International Measurement System
(IMS). During the late 1980’s the Channel Rating
System attracted approximately 90 yachts in
Victoria and this rating rule was replaced with the
introduction of the International Measurement
System. During the mi
d 1990’s there was a rapid decline in
the numbers of boats sailing on IMS and the
demand for a new rule, that could provide a single
figure measurement rating for club and interclub
use at a reasonable cost, became a priority. During the 1996/7 season Sandringham Yacht
Club and Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron
became interested in testing the Channel Rating
System (CHS) again. A fleet of 15 boats were
measured for CHS at Sandringham in order to
evaluate the results over the summer racing
season. Unfortunately the results were not
satisfactory as the rule appeared to favour several
classes and discussions with the Royal Ocean
Racing Club Rating Office held at Sandringham in
March 1997 were not able to resolve the problems. Royal Ocean Racing Club subsequently
relaunched the Channel Rating System as the IRC
and IRM systems in January 2000. During August 1997 a group was formed under the
Chairmanship of John Chatham to establish a new,
Australian, measurement based rating system. Peter
Brazier, with a background in computer programming
created the initial algorithm with the support of others
including Lowa Paszko,John Chatham and John
Duffin. A Measurement Rating Group was established and
Measurers were appointed in order to create a
database for the Australian Measurement System
(AMS).
