Equipment control is a fundamental part of the sport and includes the rules that govern the boat, the equipment used on board as well as personal equipment that may be carried and how this is to be inspected and controlled.

The Class Rules specify the boat and how it is used; certification and administration as well as the crew and any personal equipment that may be carried. These are read in conjunction with the Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS) which provide more general governance of the equipment used in the sport. They are revised and published every four years by the International Sailing Federation. It is the responsibility of the ISAF Class Association to manage their Class Rules. All classes, especially those applying for status, are encouraged to use the ISAF Standard Class Rules template when writing their rules. The Class Rules are published on the relevant Class page.

All ISAF Class Associations must send a completed annual report on the activities of the Class including membership, boat registration, world championship reports and financial status. The Class Reports received by ISAF are published on the relevant Class page.

The ISAF Approved Production Board Register lists Race, Formula, Slalom/Speed and Wave/Freestyle boards, made in a production run of not less than 50 units and produced using the same building specifications, which are approved for use in competition. The approved production boards can be found on the relevant Class page.