ISAF is a non-profit making organization operating a democratic decision-making process within the constraints of the Constitution. With the exception of a small team of paid staff at the Secretariat in Southampton, ISAF is comprised entirely of volunteers.

The Executive Committee consists of the President and seven Vice-Presidents and constitutes the Board of Directors of the Federation. . The Executive Committee shall be responsible for implementing the policy decisions of the Council and for taking all management and operational decisions on behalf of the Federation.

At the head of the decision making process is the Council. The Council is made up of the Executive Committee and 28 nominated members (representing the regional groups of sailing nations), the chairman of the Oceanic and Offshore Committee, a representative of the ISAF Classes Committee, a women's representative, an athlete's representative and three non-voting members (Treasurer and two Officers of Honour).

The structure then branches out into specialist committees / commissions and working parties whose members are nominated by the national authorities.

The Decision Making Process

Every four years a General Assembly is held, at which the Executive Committee, including the President, is elected, the nominated members of Council announced and committee members appointed.

Each calendar year an Annual Conference is held. Over the course of the Conference, all the ISAF Commissions and Committees will meet and discuss submissions for change which have been put forward by members (any individual who wishes to voice an opinion may do so through one or other of ISAF members. The specialist committees will discuss Submissions that are relevant to their areas of work and make recommendations to the Council as to whether they should be approved, rejected or deferred.