Common Questions

Validity dates for South East Asia are 1st June - 31st May.

Validity dates are shown at the bottom of the certificate.

2023 Renewals for South East Asia will commence from 1st May.

Forms will be available for download in the Forms and Downloads section.

1. Boats rated in 2021/2022: we do not need a revalidation form completed if there are no changes to the boat/data just drop us an email confirming no changes to info@irc-sea.com
2. For change of ownership or contact details please attach a revalidation form and send to info@irc-sea.com.
3. For boats not rated in 2021 or 2022, please complete a revalidation form by downloading an application form from the DOWNLOADS section and confirm the pole type, number of spinnakers, and whisker pole in addition to any changes. or or apply on-line by clicking here

Please check your Spam Folder.......

Before applying, please check the data and details on your certificate.   If there is anything you think is incorrect or has changed please let us know; however for production designs remember some standard data may have been used which differs from that submitted (usually hull data).

Ratings may go up, down or stay the same from year to year, depending on changes and developments in the maths behind the rating calculation.  This is developed on an annual basis and is generic for certain design characteristics. Please see the additional posts for more information about changes for this year. 

Age Allowance is automatically applied to boats over 3 years old, but it is a small part of the calculation. (It cannot be assumed that the rating will reduce each year because of age allowance).

Rig Factor: As well as the rig configuration, varying rig and sail measurements can also have an impact on the RF calculation and may be the reason RF differs between two boats with the same rig controls listed on the certificate.   Mast material is rated separately and is not part of the RF calculation.

Crew limitations IRC Crew Number is not variable by a boat and has no effect on TCC. However, note that the default limit is the crew weight (shown next to the crew number on the cert), so you are limited to that as a maximum weight unless the Notice of Race for the event modifies IRC Rule 22.4.

Endorsement:  Endorsed certificates show a ‘Rating Authority ENDORSED’ stamp at the bottom right of the certificate.   Other certificates show a ‘Standard’ stamp.  If you need Endorsement for an event you are entering, please contact your Rule Authority for advice.  https://ircrating.org/irc-certificate/irc-endorsement/ 

Amended certificates

For amended certificates, make sure you complete the ‘Source of Information’ to avoid any delays, thank you.

If you have an Endorsed certificate, remember that any amendments to rated data will require official measurement, please refer to our website especially regarding sail data and talk to your Rule Authoriy for advice if necessary.

We reserve the right to refuse to amend a certificate if we believe its purpose is to take advantage of a forecast eg. increasing sail for a race that is forecast to be light winds.

Trial certificates 

Once you have a valid current certificate you can apply for trials to test the rating effect of potential changes.  Note that there are limits to the number of trial certificates that are allowed, you can find details on the IRC website in the ‘Policies & Information’ section here: https://ircrating.org/irc-rule/.

Short-handed certificates 

If you do short-handed (1 or 2 people) racing, and your boat is in a different configuration for this, you can apply for a separate Short-Handed certificate, see IRC Rule 8.2.1.   There is no rating adjustment just for the reduced number of crew.

STIX and AVS Stability data 

If you are planning to enter an event that is OSR Cat 3 or over you may need to have STIX & AVS (stability) data on your IRC certificate. Please check the specific events you are entering to see if it is required. Information about STIX & AVS can be found on the IRC website under Safety and Stability:  https://ircrating.org/irc-racing/race-management/. Once obtained, the information will be added to your certificate free of charge as long as there are no other changes. STIX & AVS can be calculated by the Rating Authority from an ORC Stability and Hydrostatics Datasheet (for the boat in its current condition).

Change of Ownership (Re-registration)

If you sell your boat and the new owner wishes to race it (or if you buy a boat with a current IRC certificate), the new owner needs to apply for Re-registration.  Make sure that suitable arrangements are made regarding your sail number if you wish to transfer it to another boat.

Bulb Weight Changes for 2020

BULB WEIGHT

There are various rule changes for 2020 and these include the bulb weight definition.

Bulb Weight – the weight of the Bulb and any part of the Keel below the upper surface of thebulb (including connection plates, under-fin spacers and infills).

Please note that we have not asked every boat to check and confirm their bulb weight at revalidation as for most boats the bulb weight increase from a standard fin attachment plate is insignificant in rating terms.

IRC’s primary focus is on the boats with overly large connections such as the Maxi 72s, TP52s, etc. and the need to deter exploitation of the IRC bulb weight definition.

The number of boats for which this definition change is significant is a very small percentage of the IRC fleet, and for this reason we did not overtly request bulb weight from every boat at revalidation; however the bulb weight definition change for 2020 has been widely publicised.

It is the owner's responsibility to ensure that any change to the rated bulb weight to comply with the 2020 definition is declared at revalidation.

Changes for 2020

We wil start processing 2020 certificates from 18th May 2020.

2020 forms will be published from 12th May in the downloads section.

In preparation for your revalidations, below is a brief summary of changes to the 2020 rating calculations.

This is not an exhaustive list of every development in the new software, but covers the main changes and has been produced to help owners understand changes to IRC ratings.  

All these are applied automatically in the software, which is applied across the whole IRC fleet.

WHISKER POLES

The use of poles set to leeward to act as struts for the sheeting of headsails is becoming more common, both with boats rated for headsail only and boats rated with spinnakers, who can use a whisker pole provided a spinnaker is not set. Due to current lack of clarity provided by the current Racing Rules & ERS the IRC Rules and definitions to clarify that the current configurations are permitted with an impact to TCC.

IRC Rules now read:

21.3.5 Boats will be rated according to whether they use a spinnaker pole, whisker pole and/or a bowsprit according to the following configurations:

• (a) No spinnaker pole (spinnaker tacked on deck) or a centre line bowsprit only.
• (b) An articulating bowsprit only.
• (c) Spinnaker pole(s) and/or whisker pole(s) either with or without a bowsprit.

Whisker Pole - A spar attached to the mast spar to set a headsail. ERS F.1.4(d)(ii) does not apply.

Those boats previously rated with a spinnaker and either ‘no spinnaker pole or bowsprit’ or ‘bowsprit only’ who have declared that they use a whisker pole will see an increase in their TCC for 2020.  

The rating effect will depend on the specific configuration of the boat.

VARIABLE BALLAST

IRC has recognised single- and double-handed sailing for many years with the option to have an additional, short-handed certificate in a different configuration. With the increased growth of short-handed sailing in recent years, the idea of adding low-volume water ballast (equivalent to 3 or 4 crew members) is developing in the minds of designers and sailors. Water ballast boats do not represent a large number in the overall worldwide IRC fleet but we wish to ensure that this development is rated appropriately.

The IRC technical committee have therefore updated the variable (eg. water) ballast formulation and also the rules around variable and moveable ballast configurations. Variable ballast volume must be declared and, if available, the maximum list angle.  See IRC 2020 Rule 22.3.

The rating effect will depend on the specific configuration of the boat.

IRC KEEL TYPES

The IRC technical committee have identified an improvement to help transition the rating between different keel types, and the rating formula for certain keel types has been updated and now uses a keel aspect ratio. This update may not increase the rating for your boat but will help to separate between keel types in the IRC rating framework.

The rating effect will depend on the specific configuration of the boat.

SAIL AREA

The rating of mainsail area has been reviewed; boats with small mainsail widths relative to E may see an increase in rating.

Published by the IRC Rating Authority

Information for 2019 Revalidations

If you have not already done so, please read the 2019 Rules and Definitions which are online at

https://www.ircrating.org/ - changes for 2019 are marked with a sidebar.

There is no printed IRC 2019 Yearbook – please see www.rorcrating.com for more information.

Validity datesare shown at the bottom of the certificate. When your certificate expires you will receive an invitation to renew it, please make sure your contact details are kept up to date by emailing us with any changes to your postal or email address.

Please check the data and details on the certificate.   If there is anything you think is incorrect please contact us; however for production designs remember some standard data may have been used which differs from that submitted (usually hull data).

Ratings may go up, down or stay the same from year to year, depending on changes and developments in the maths behind the rating calculation.  This is developed on an annual basis and is generic for certain design characteristics. Please see the additional page at the end of this document for more information about changes for 2019. 

Age Allowance is automatically applied to boats over 3 years old, but it is a small part of the calculation. (It cannot be assumed that the rating will reduce each year because of age allowance).

Rig Factor: As well as the rig configuration, varying rig and sail measurements can also have an impact on the RF calculation and may be the reason RF differs between two boats with the same rig controls listed on the certificate.   Mast material is rated separately and is not part of the RF calculation.

Crew limitations IRC Crew Number is not variable by a boat and has no effect on TCC. However, note that the default limit is the crew weight (shown next to the crew number on the cert), so you are limited to that as a maximum weight unless the Notice of Race for the event modifies IRC Rule 22.4.

Endorsement:  Endorsed certificates show a ‘Rating Authority ENDORSED’ stamp at the bottom right of the certificate.   Other certificates show a ‘Standard’ stamp.  If you need Endorsement for an event you are entering, please contact us as soon as possible for advice.

CERTIFICATES

Amended or Trial certificates:   We cannot accept data by telephone.   Please make sure you complete the ‘Source of Information’ to avoid any delays, thank you.

Note that there are limits to the number of trial certificates that are allowed, you can find details on the IRC website. http://www.ircrating.org/technical-a-certification/certificates-extra-info.

We reserve the right to refuse to amend a certificate if we believe its purpose is to take advantage of a forecast eg. increasing sail for a race that is forecast to be light winds.

If you have an Endorsed certificate, remember that any amendments to rated data will require official measurement, please talk to us for advice if necessary.

Change of Ownership:  If you sell your boat and the new owner wishes to race it, or if you buy a boat with a current IRC certificate, then Re-Registration is required.  

Short-handed certificates:  If you do short-handed (1 or 2 people) racing, and your boat is in a different configuration for this, you can apply for a separate Short-Handed certificate, see IRC Rule 8.2.1.  There is no rating change just for a reduced number of crew.

STIX and AVS Stability data :  If you are planning to enter an event that is OSR Cat 3 or over you may need to have STIX & AVS (stability) data on your IRC certificate. Please check the specific events you are entering, to see if it is required. Information about STIX & AVS can be found on the IRC website: http://www.ircrating.org/technical-a-certification/sssn-a-stix. Once obtained, the information will be added to your certificate free of charge as long as there are no other changes. STIX & AVS can be calculated by the Rating Authority from an ORC Stability and Hydrostatics Datasheet (for the boat in its current condition).

Notes for 2016 IRC Certificates

The following notes will help you get the most from your 2016 IRC rating.

Please note the following layout changes to the IRC certificate for 2016 (listed from the top of the certificate):

• SSS Base Value is now called SSS Number to be consistent with the information in the Yearbook (p.60).

• Calculated Crew Weight has been added next to Crew No. for your convenience.

• Bulb Weight is now printed where applicable, under Draft.

• Headsail and spinnaker abbreviations (nomenclature) have been updated. See Yearbook p.52 and IRC Definitions.  Those affected are:  LLmax = HLUmax,  LL = HLU,  LP = HLP,  SF = SFL.

• The number of pairs of spreaders and jumpers has been combined.

• A security date watermark is printed on all valid IRC certificates issued from 19 May 2016.  

This makes it quick and easy to identify a valid certificate (or copy certificate) issued by RORC or UNCL.   Current certificates issued before 19 May 2016 are still valid and will not be reprinted.

Endorsement:  A reminder that this is denoted by the ‘ENDORSED’ stamp at the bottom right of the certificate.  

Non-endorsed certificates will just have the red IRC Rating Authority stamp. If you need Endorsement for an event you are entering, please contact the Rating Office as soon as possible for advice.

Seahorse Magazine free issues!   We are pleased to say that the extra value for your certification continues for 2016:  All IRC certificate holders have an automatic subscription to every other issue of Seahorse Magazine in digital format.   Activate it by clicking on the link on www.ircrating.org and use your certificate number and passcode (as it appears at the bottom your IRC certificate) to login.

Please wait 2-3 days before accessing the offer to allow the database to be updated. 

• Validity dates are shown at the bottom of the certificate. When your certificate expires you will receive an invitation to renew it, please make sure your contact details are kept up to date by emailing us with any changes to your postal or email address.

• Please check the data and details on the certificate.  

If there is anything you think is incorrect please contact us; however for production designs remember some standard data may have been used which differs from that submitted (usually hull data).

• Ratings may go up, down or stay the same from year to year, depending on changes and developments in the maths behind the rating calculation.  This is developed on an annual basis and is generic for certain design characteristics.

• Age Allowance is automatically applied to boats over 3 years old, but it is a small part of the calculation. (It cannot be assumed that the rating will reduce each year because of age allowance).

• Crew limitations IRC Crew Number is not variable by a boat and has no effect on TCC (see also p.31 of the Yearbook).

CERTIFICATE ADMINISTRATION

Amended or Trial certificates:   We cannot accept data by telephone.  

Please make sure you complete the ‘Source of Information’ to avoid any delays, thank you.

Note that there are limits to the number of trial certificates that are allowed, you can find details on the IRC website. http://www.ircrating.org/technical-a-certification/certificates-extra-info. 

We reserve the right to refuse to amend a certificate if we believe its purpose is to take advantage of a forecast eg. reducing sail for a race that is forecast to be windy.

If you have an Endorsed certificate, remember that any amendments to rated data will require official measurement, please refer to our website especially regarding sail data and talk to your Rule Authority for advice if necessary.

Change of Ownership:  If you sell your boat and the new owner wishes to race it, or if you buy a boat with a current IRC certificate, then Re-Registration is required.  

Short-handed certificates:  If you do short-handed (1 or 2 people) racing, and your boat is in a different configuration for this, you can apply for a separate Short-Handed certificate, see IRC Rule 8.2.1.   

STIX and AVS Stability data :  If you are planning to enter an event that is OSR Cat 3 or over you may need to have STIX & AVS (stability) data on your IRC certificate. Please check the specific events you are entering, to see if it is required. Information about STIX & AVS can be found on the IRC website:  http://www.ircrating.org/technical-a-certification/sssn-a-stix.

Once obtained, the information will be added to your certificate free of charge as long as there are no other changes.