IRC 2019 Online revalidation and forms now available for download.

Online revalidation is now available here. 2019 On-Line Revalidation 

All IRC 2019 Forms are now available for download in the  IRC Application Forms & Downloads section.

A full list of rule changes is also available on the site, just check the left hand menu.

Please note that this years re-validation will ask you for details on the number of spinnakers carried while racing.

NUMBER OF SPINNAKERS

Historically in IRC the default number of spinnakers has been set at 3 with an option to declare additional spinnakers. While this has been generally considered to be a minimum number for boats competitively racing, it does not take into account that many club level boats only use 1 or 2 spinnakers and have felt disadvantaged. To encourage boats with a smaller spinnaker inventory the IRC Rule has changed to allow boats to declare that they will carry fewer than 3 spinnakers and will see a rating benefit on that basis.  If a boat was previously rated with 3 spinnakers and makes no declaration of carrying fewer, the rating will continue to be based on a default of 3.

The rating effect for an average boat is approximately (allowing for decimal rounding) 

Reduction from 3 to 2 spinnakers:  -0.001

Reduction from 2 to 1 spinnaker: -0.002 

2019 Changes in Brief

NUMBER OF SPINNAKERS

Historically in IRC the default number of spinnakers has been set at 3 with an option to declare additional spinnakers. While this has been generally considered to be a minimum number for boats competitively racing, it does not take into account that many club level boats only use 1 or 2 spinnakers and have felt disadvantaged. To encourage boats with a smaller spinnaker inventory the IRC Rule has changed to allow boats to declare that they will carry fewer than 3 spinnakers and will see a rating benefit on that basis.  If a boat was previously rated with 3 spinnakers and makes no declaration of carrying fewer, the rating will continue to be based on a default of 3.

The rating effect for an average boat is approximately (allowing for decimal rounding) 

Reduction from 3 to 2 spinnakers:  -0.001

Reduction from 2 to 1 spinnaker: -0.002

 ADJUSTABLE FORESTAYS

At the IRC Congress 2018 meeting there was a request to remove the declaration of a forestay “adjustable but never adjusted while racing”, an option which until now had no impact on TCC. The request was due to an understanding and perception that owners were using adjusting forestay length while racing despite the declaration.   A rule change for 2019 removes this declaration option, and any boat that has declared an adjustable forestay as never adjusted while racing will see a small rating increase.   This does not apply to boats with the ability to move the mast foot while racing, which can still be declared as not adjusted while racing.

 DRAFT

The treatment of draft has been researched and reviewed by the IRC Technical Committee following an understanding  that deep draft boats have been favoured (or at least not discouraged) under IRC.  The review has resulted in a lower rating   for relative shallow draft and higher rating for relative deep draft.

CRUISING AND CLASSIC BOATS

The rating of heavy cruisers and classic boats, with relatively low sail area and heavy boat weight, has been reviewed and some of these boats will now see more of a rating benefit.

2018 Updates in Brief

This is not an exhaustive list of every development for 2018, 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.

The Full list of Rule changes can be downloaded HERE

SPINNAKER AREA

Some ratings have either increased or reduced due to a change in the method used to rate spinnaker area, this is change that has been applied across the complete IRC Fleet and has been phased in over 4 years. 2018 sees the 4^thand final phase of this change.  

Much of this is due to the change in approach to setting the expected spinnaker area, base SPA, within IRC. This was originally based on parameters such as fore triangle area and LWP. However, this is historic and dates from the importance of these dimensions in the Metre rules, RORC rule, IOR etc when CHS was developed. We have recognised this and over the last few years have moved towards a more rational and appropriate method. 

The aim is to try and ensure all can continue to compete with old and new boats of all types. Relying on methods not directly relevant for over 25 years stifles development and evolution of new designs and improvement in old boats alike. It is hoped that owners and sail designers can see a way of this allowing them to improve their boat and enjoyment of it without the old constraints of IOR and its influences, looking more to the simple question of what works best for them.

HEADSAILS FLOWN FROM BOWSPRITS

Boats flying headsails from the bowsprit, and not carrying spinnakers, will see an increase in rating. This is to reflect a previously unrated advantage.

DAYBOATS and LIFELINES

The definition and classification of ‘Dayboats’ have been removed from IRC, so boats previously showing ‘Dayboat’ on the certificate will no longer do so. There is no effect on TCC. However, the presence or not of WS Offshore Special Regulations compliant lifelines is still relevant and noted on the certificate.

SPORTBOATS

Sportsboats around 28-30 feet have previously seen a reduction in TCC due to a change in rating formulation. This rating formulation  has now been extended down to smaller sportsboats.   

LEAD IN KEEL FINS

New Rule 19.6 was introduced for 2017 to address the recent trend of moving material (usually lead) from the Bulb into the keel fin, owners must now declare this and it will be rated.  After further consideration of rating effects, the IRC Technical Committee agreed not to change the rating effect for 2018.

LIFTING FOILS

The rating of boats fitted with foils that provide lift (DSS and other foil designs) has to date been a simple addition to Hull Factor.   With an increase in this style of appendage in IRC racing boats, further research by the IRC Technical Committee during 2017 has resulted in a new method of rating lifting foils, and new definitions have been added for foil measurements.  

Crew Positions; Lifelines

Notice 2018/01

RRS 49.2 Crew Positions; Lifelines

With effect from 23 March 2018, in IRC 2017 and 2018 Rules, insert new rule modifying RRS49.2:

Add IRC rule 22.6:

22.6 Crew Position
22.6.1 RRS 49.2 is modified by deleting “sitting on the deck” in the second sentence.

Reason
It is not unusual for crew sitting on the rail to be supported only at their upper legs when hiking facing outboard. The term “sitting on the deck” is difficult to define and to avoid unnecessary and difficult protests a simple and effective solution is to remove this requirement from RRS 49.2 while maintaining the original intention of:
a. When there are two lifelines, competitor facing outboard with their waist inside the lower lifeline may have the upper part of his body outside the upper lifeline.
b. Lifelines shall be taut (by the OSR definition)

The RRS 86.1(c) permits Class Rules to change RRS 49.

The IRC 2017 Rule is included for those countries still racing under IRC 2017 until 31st May 2018.

IRC Technical Committee

23 March 2018

Spinnakers and Poles/Bowsprits explained..

The RORC Rating Office is sometimes asked whether symmetric and asymmetric spinnakers are rated differently, and whether there is a rating increase if you use both types. The question is often prompted by the IRC application form asking questions about the spinnakers of each type carried aboard, rather than just the largest spinnaker area (SPA) and total number of spinnakers. There are two aspects of downwind sail rating: the sail itself and the type of pole (if any) it is set on - as explained below. Text in italics is taken from the IRC 2018 Rule text.

SPINNAKERS

For the calculation of your rating, IRC considers the largest spinnaker area (SPA) and the total number of spinnakers carried.
21.6 Spinnakers
21.6.1 Boats carrying more than three spinnakers in total on board while racing will incur an increase in rating.

21.6.2 Spinnaker area (SPA) shall be calculated from:
SPA = ((SLU + SLE)/2) * ((SFL + (4 * SHW))/5) * 0.83
SLU, SLE, SFL and SHW of the largest area spinnaker on board shall be declared. The calculated area of this spinnaker will be shown on a boat’s certificate as the maximum permitted SPA.

8.10.1 Values stated on certificates for LH, Hull Beam, Bulb Weight, Draft, x, P, E, J, FL, MUW, MTW, MHW, HLUmax, HSA, PY, EY, LLY, LPY, Cutter Rig HLUmax, SPA, STL are maximum values.

Are symmetric or asymmetric spinnakers rated differently?

Not directly, but see the section on pole type below.

Is there a rating increase if I carry both symmetric and asymmetric spinnakers?

Not directly, but see the section on pole type below.

If not, why does the application form ask how many of each type of spinnaker I carry, and which is the largest?

The information is useful for picking up errors or oversights on the application form before the certificate is issued. For instance if an application form says that the boat carries symmetric spinnakers we would expect the boat to have a spinnaker pole for the symmetric spinnaker.

On revalidation or amendment forms, we ask whether the symmetric or asymmetric spinnaker is the largest because sometimes we will be given data for a new asymmetric spinnaker, for instance, but then find out that the symmetric spinnaker on the last certificate is still the largest.

Requesting this information often means that an owner avoids having to amend their certificate to correct errors.

If the linear measurement data for spinnakers (SLU,SLE,SFL,SHW) are not maximum limiting values, but only largest spinnaker area (SPA), why do you ask for this information?

Rule 21.6.1 states that the linear data shall be supplied for the largest spinnaker, and IRC application forms ask for the linear data for the largest of each type of spinnaker. As above, this is to help the Rating Authority identify possible issues before the certificate is issued.

For instance, we can check that an asymmetric spinnaker complies with the spinnaker definition ie. SHW => 75% SFL. In many cases where this test fails, it is because the SHW measurement has been taken incorrectly and supplied as 50% of actual SHW. Having the linear data also helps us identify typographical input errors, for instance if we get a warning showing a spinnaker is very large or very small we can check the spinnaker data compared with the rig data.

POLE TYPE

The spinnaker type does not affect the rating, but what does make a difference is the way the spinnaker is flown and hence the type of pole you use, if any, and the rated STL (see definition below).

21.3.5 Boats will be rated according to whether they use a spinnaker 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)  A spinnaker pole or poles either with or without a bowsprit.

STL The greatest horizontal distance from the forward face of the mast spar, measured on or near the centreline of the boat, to any of the following:

- the extremity of the spinnaker pole, whisker pole or bowsprit;
- the spinnaker tack point on deck projected vertically as necessary;
- if a headsail may be tacked forward of the forestay, the headsail tack point on deck projected vertically as necessary or to the extremity of the bowsprit.

Effect on rating of different pole types

It is impossible to estimate the rating effect on pole types for all boats, as this depends on many variables. The only way to get an exact rating for a potential change of configuration is to apply for a trial certificate for your boat (available to boats holding current IRC certificates).

However, the following are examples of different popular configurations, assuming the same spinnaker SPA, with TCC A being the lowest and TCC E the highest:

Information correct November 2017, and may be subject to change in the future.