The International Eight Metre Association (the IEMA) exists to promote international interest in the Class, the building, restoring and sailing of 8 Metre Yachts. The IEMA is governed by the executive committee, which controls and manages the affairs of the eight metre class.
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About IEMA
The International Eight Metre Association fosters camaraderie through racing Eight Metre Yachts and celebrates the elegance of the Eights in a competitive spirit.
8 Metre Yachts
8 Metre Class Yachts have through the years, always been designed by the best yacht designers of their time.
This goes for the classics as well as for the modern yachts. The International Rule, by which the 8mR class is governed, also covers many other classes, like the very active 6mR Class and the 12 Metre Class, which was used for a long time in the America’s cup. This lead to fantastic innovations and developments, which are also used in the 8 and 6 Metre yachts.
The Beauty of the 8
The beauty of the 8mR class is that most of these racing yachts, unlike many collector cars, are still actively raced and used today.
The regattas are a Concours d’Elegance, where spectators come and try to fathom the beauty of the designs and the differences and strong points of each yacht. All yachts race on the same course and start and finish on the same line. Even with a time spanning more than a 100 years in design development, nothing has altered in the competitiveness or beauty of these yachts.
IEMA and the World Cup
The IEMA promotes both national and international regattas for the Eight Metre class.
There are highly active fleets in regions such as the UK, North America, Norway, Finland, France, Switzerland, and Germany. These fleets host race series that culminate in crowning a national champion. Additionally, any fleet can apply to organize the Eight Metre World Cup, welcoming all eligible yachts to compete for the prestigious title.
About IEMA
A Legacy of 8 Metre Yachts
For over a century, Metre yachts have set the standard for exceptional design and craftsmanship. These yachts have a rich history and continue to inspire a dedicated community of sailors.
> 115
Years of design development
500
Eights ever built
288
Eights listed in our database
24
Eights compete on average
Uniting Regions
National Associations
National Associations within the International Eight Metre Association serve as vital hubs for enthusiasts, organizing local regattas and facilitating participation in international events. Spanning regions like the UK, North America, Norway, Finland, France, Switzerland, and Germany, these associations strengthen the global network of the IEMA, enriching the sport for all participants.
British Eight Metre Association (BEMA)
The UK championed the Metre Rule in 1907. The 1920 and 1933 International Rules led to a surge in the 8mR Class, with designers like Fife, Mylne, and Nicholson building many boats still sailing today. In the 1930s, fleets centered on the Solent and the Clyde. The 1970s saw a Clyde revival and the creation of the World Cup, but by the decade's end, most of the fleet dispersed across Europe.
The 2007 Centenary World Cup revived interest in the Solent. BEMA has six boats, with one in the Channel Islands and one being restored on the Clyde. Pre-pandemic, 8mR racing was mainly in the Solent. Post-pandemic, racing hasn't resumed, but the WC2024 on the Clyde is expected to revive it.
Murdoch McKillop
Class Captain and Honourary Secretary
Finnish Eight Metre Association (FEMA)
"In Finland the “Eight metre” class is very much alive. With 12 racing boats Finland has one of the biggest fleets of Eights in the world and the HSS Yachtclub holds the worlds biggest fleet of Eights; 9 boats. Many international boats join the Finnish Regatta series of 6-8 regattas every summer. Especially Russian and Swedish eights, but also other nationalities who usually choose the biggest fleet in the world to practise for the Worlds or European Championship. If you are thinking of joining, either with your boat or as a sailor, give a call or send an email to one of the Board members. For interested potential new boat owners a test sailing could be arranged as well."
Max Nordlund
President
Finland
France Association Métrique Atlantique
Dr. Tanneguy Raffray
President
France
German Eight Metre Association GEMA (Baltic)
Bernhard Kolbe
President
Germany
Lake Constance Fleet
AUT / GER / SUI
Raphael Ruedisser
LOCEMA President
Lake Constance
North American Eight Metre Association (NAEMA)
It was 1928 when the North American 8Mr history got underway with the NYYC commissioning 12 Int. Rule 8mR yachts from Europe drawn by the top designers and yards. They took delivery on Long Island Sound. And In 1930 it was the RCYC that selected the 8mR yacht for the revival of the Canada’s Cup match racing series for the championship of the Great Lakes – Canada versus the USA. six 8mR int. Rule yachts were built start this flee and expanded as further Canada’s Cup races were during the 1930’s. Read more on their website: https://na8mr.com/
Gerald “Jerry” Dodge
President
North America
Norwegian Eight Metre Association
The 8mR Class in Norway has a history back to 1807 when the Metre rule was instituted in Yacht racing. The level of activity in the Norwegian Class has varied over the years. Before WWII the number of Norwegian 8mR yachts was extensive with designs from Johan Anker, Bjarne Aas and many more. The Sira Cup had a very positive impact on the Norwegian Class, that continued growing in numbers. Several 8mR Neptun and Sira division boats have represented the Norwegian pocket over the years. Today we are a Class of 7 boats racing in the Oslofjord, 1 in Trondheim and 2 in Bergen. The 8mR World Cup has been hosted by the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (KNS) at Hankö in 2003, 2008 and 2017.
Morten Tenvig
President
Norway
Portuguese Eight Metre Association (PEMA)
David Vieira
President
Portugal
Swedish Eight Metre Association
Lars Widen
President
Sweden
Swiss Eight Metre Association
Fred Meyer
President
Switzerland
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British Eight Metre Association (BEMA)
The UK championed the Metre Rule in 1907. The 1920 and 1933 International Rules led to a surge in the 8mR Class, with designers like Fife, Mylne, and Nicholson building many boats still sailing today. In the 1930s, fleets centered on the Solent and the Clyde. The 1970s saw a Clyde revival and the creation of the World Cup, but by the decade's end, most of the fleet dispersed across Europe.
The 2007 Centenary World Cup revived interest in the Solent. BEMA has six boats, with one in the Channel Islands and one being restored on the Clyde. Pre-pandemic, 8mR racing was mainly in the Solent. Post-pandemic, racing hasn't resumed, but the WC2024 on the Clyde is expected to revive it.
Murdoch McKillop
Class Captain and Honourary Secretary
Finnish Eight Metre Association (FEMA)
"In Finland the “Eight metre” class is very much alive. With 12 racing boats Finland has one of the biggest fleets of Eights in the world and the HSS Yachtclub holds the worlds biggest fleet of Eights; 9 boats. Many international boats join the Finnish Regatta series of 6-8 regattas every summer. Especially Russian and Swedish eights, but also other nationalities who usually choose the biggest fleet in the world to practise for the Worlds or European Championship. If you are thinking of joining, either with your boat or as a sailor, give a call or send an email to one of the Board members. For interested potential new boat owners a test sailing could be arranged as well."
Max Nordlund
President
France Association Métrique Atlantique
Dr. Tanneguy Raffray
President
German Eight Metre Association GEMA (Baltic)
Bernhard Kolbe
President
Lake Constance Fleet
AUT / GER / SUI
Raphael Ruedisser
LOCEMA President
North American Eight Metre Association (NAEMA)
It was 1928 when the North American 8Mr history got underway with the NYYC commissioning 12 Int. Rule 8mR yachts from Europe drawn by the top designers and yards. They took delivery on Long Island Sound. And In 1930 it was the RCYC that selected the 8mR yacht for the revival of the Canada’s Cup match racing series for the championship of the Great Lakes – Canada versus the USA. six 8mR int. Rule yachts were built start this flee and expanded as further Canada’s Cup races were during the 1930’s. Read more on their website: https://na8mr.com/
Gerald “Jerry” Dodge
President
Norwegian Eight Metre Association
The 8mR Class in Norway has a history back to 1807 when the Metre rule was instituted in Yacht racing. The level of activity in the Norwegian Class has varied over the years. Before WWII the number of Norwegian 8mR yachts was extensive with designs from Johan Anker, Bjarne Aas and many more. The Sira Cup had a very positive impact on the Norwegian Class, that continued growing in numbers. Several 8mR Neptun and Sira division boats have represented the Norwegian pocket over the years. Today we are a Class of 7 boats racing in the Oslofjord, 1 in Trondheim and 2 in Bergen. The 8mR World Cup has been hosted by the Royal Norwegian Yacht Club (KNS) at Hankö in 2003, 2008 and 2017.
Morten Tenvig
President
Portuguese Eight Metre Association (PEMA)
David Vieira
President
Swedish Eight Metre Association
Lars Widen
President
Swiss Eight Metre Association
Fred Meyer
President
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Membership Fees 2024
The IEMA remains committed to providing value to its members through various benefits, including access to exclusive events, resources, and a global network of Eight Metre sailing professionals and enthusiasts.
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Active Cruiser
Inactive Racer
Non-Comissioned
Friends of the fleets
40 €/yr
Active Racer**
250 €/yr
**) The AGM in Geneva agreed that the standard Active Racing Membership Fee for 2023 will be €250. However, in order to encourage membership, the Excom has agreed that this should include nominated crew members as Friends of the Fleet at no additional charge. When paying your subscription, please advise your crew nominations for 2023. Other categories of Membership remain at €40.
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We have just sent out invoices to the generous Members who have agreed to become IEMA Patrons by agreeing to pay €2000 per annum for the next three years. This will transform our finances and we are extremely grateful to these Members. It is not too late to become a Patron and this can be arranged by contacting any of us.
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