MR 2092,a Wyche and Coppock IXb was on eBay recently. She has a low forward tank fitted and also side tanks. The side tanks obviously do not comply to the latest Class Rules but would they have been allowable in 1968 when the boat was built? I suspect they were added later but has anybody got any thoughts?

If they were and are not compliant I can't see any reason why you couldn't open the tanks up and slip a buoyancy bag in behind.  It would also satisfy you that there was nothing untoward going on behind "closed doors"!!  The digital camera is great for looking inside these closed compartments.

I've seen a couple od W&C boats with that arrangement. If it was legal then it is now on that boat - like the 25ft masts on very old boats it will have dispensation.

One of the ones i saw was a 20xx number.

I'd say they are origional

There's still a Moon Rocket at Ranelagh with the same arrangements.  I recall testing the buoyancy at this time of year maybe 12 years ago (I was crewing in a gusty F5) and it worked well enough .  If it ain't broke...
Just make sure the inside of the tank is dry and sealed well so it doesn't start to rot where you can't see.

Built in buoyancy is allowed in the rules.

15a ... buoyancy units shall, unless built in,....

see rule 15e esp 15(e)(ii)

Thanks to everyone for their comments, I'll pass them on to the new owner. I think the side tanks might extend for rather more than the 1.1m specified in Rule 15

Yes they probably do, hence why they may now be illegal.

Back then though they would have been ok.

If they were legal then they are now, but the low tank at that age suggests some retrofitting.

The bow tank could be like mine in 2789, a plank lower than standard at the time but not part of the mast/rig support system. The owner finisher would have saved at least 2 sq ft of 4mm ply!