2026 Rulebook is posted

Thank you for all who participated in the rules process this year. Whether it was submitting suggested rule changes, participating in our December winter meeting when we discussed the proposed changes, voting on the proposals or all of the above, your involvement is appreciated. ERCU is currently enjoying unprecedented member engagement in the club, even in the offseason. That’s very exciting — especially being that we’re just nine weeks away from the season-opening Champion Spark Plug Regatta in Elma. 

The 2026 ERCU Rule Book is now available. It’s three distinct sections, so please read all three by clicking here. 

Changes for 2026 are highlighted in green inside each section of the book.

Here are highlights of the changes. Full details of the changes are in the book:

• A legal heat may now be based on just two boats (heats will be shortened to three laps with a five lap final) — General Rules A. III.
• Flexibility for creating longer courses, allowing for 4-lap heats for 1/10 if the course is too long for the smaller boats — Racing Rules A. X.
• Deletion of the “most recognizable form” rule, with the intent to clear up vague language and allow members to build the versions of boats they want to build, provided boats still achieve the threshold of “the real boats that have attempted to qualify on the unlimited circuit”. — General Rules
• Inspection of motors, a new rule has been included (Technical Manual D) expressing the rule, consequence and inspection process.
• Clarified the propeller rule (hub is part of the propeller) — Technical Manual
• Clarified in 1/7 scale motor rules that bearings and connectors may be replaced at any time — Technical Manual
• Changed strut/shaft rule to allow for all classes/both divisions to have a shaft that does not need to maintain a straight line through the strut — Technical Manual

Please be sure to read this year’s rule book so you’re familiar with the rules and understand the changes for 2026, and consider printing copies to have in the pits with you in case you need them.