2024 IRC Rating Changes

This is not an exhaustive list of every development in the IRC rating formulation but covers the main changes and has been produced to help owners understand changes to IRC ratings. These are applied automatically in the rating software which is applied across the whole IRC fleet.

See https://ircrating.org/irc-rule/ for the full IRC Rule text and Appendix A Definitions, and details of Rule changes.

NUMBER OF HEADSAILS

The number of headsails onboard are now a rated parameter. This is the number of headsails carried onboard and does not relate to the number flown at one time (see IRC Rule 21.7).

The number of headsails at which the rating will not change from the 2023 rating depends on a number of factors, with the hull length of boat being the primary influence. This number is not an exact integer number to ensure a smooth rating effect across the boat sizes. For example, a 10m boat will see a minimal rating change for around 3 to 4 headsails declared and a 15m boat will see a minimal rating change for around 4 to 5 headsails declared.

SINGLE FURLING HEADSAILS

The rules for single furling headsails have changed, this is in conjunction with the number of headsails rating. As a heavy weather jib is not a counted sail under the new framework, all boats that are eligible and rated with a single furling headsail plus heavy weather jib will receive the full rating benefit for a single furling headsail (see IRC Rule 21.8).

RIG FACTOR AND MAST MATERIAL

Your calculated Rig Factor may have changed due to formulation developments for 2024; this is due to a minimal change in the way rig material is treated for some older boats.

SPREADER SWEEPBACK

The way in which spreader sweepback is rated has had a minor change, with there now being more rating influence from the aft rigging input.

SPINNAKER POLES AND BOWSPRITS

The way in which long bowsprits are rated together with a spinnaker pole has had a minor change, with there now being more rating influence from a long bowsprit.

Published by the IRC Rating Authority Lymington, UK: info@rorcrating.com Paris, France: irc@ycfrance.fr www.ircrating.org

February 2024

   

IRC Renewals 2024

2024 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 2022/2023: we do not need a revalidation form completed, however we need to know the number of headsails that you race with.  if there are no changes to the boat/data just drop us an email confirming the number of Headsails carried when racingno 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 2022 or 2023, please complete a revalidation form and confirm the pole type, number of spinnakers, Headsails, and whisker pole in addition to any changes. 

The current Rules and Definitions are published on

https://www.irc-sea.com.

Changes are clearly marked with a sidebar. You can also find the detailed documents regarding rule changes on the website.  

A major change for 2023 is the new Secondary certificate which incorporates the short-handed certificate and offers more options for different configurations.

If you change configuration between e.g. crewed/short-handed or inshore/offshore racing you may apply for a separate Secondary certificate, see IRC Rule 8.2.1. You must hold a primary certificate before you can apply for a secondary certificate.

Note: for a Secondary configuration there is no rating adjustment for a reduced number of crew. 

IRC certificate now includes page 2 drawings

As a major development for 2023 the IRC certificate now includes Page 2 which shows an approximate image of your boat, rig and sails created from the rated data. This will help you visualise the data for your boat, and those of competitors’ boats if you purchase a copy certificate.

Please look through your certificate to familiarise yourself with the layout.

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Frequently asked questions:

Amended certificate. IRC rules state that physical changes which might affect the performance of the boat shall be declared and may invalidate the rating certificate; in this case you must apply for a certificate amendment with the new data. If you are in any doubt please contact your Rule Authority for advice.

If you buy new sails, even if designed as the same sizes as before, these need to be declared with the new data (officially measured if your certificate is Endorsed). 

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 full IRC certificate, the new owner needs to apply for Re-registration.

If selling your boat, make sure that suitable arrangements are made regarding your sail number if you wish to transfer it to another boat. 

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.

Age allowance hasnow been extended beyond 20 years, giving a small amount of additional credit to boats built pre-2000.

Flying Headsails The rating formulation for flying headsails has been updated such that flying headsail rating effect will be lower for both with and without a spinnaker.

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.

Spinnaker Poles with No Spinnaker. Following the rule change allowing a headsail to be poled out to windward with no rating effect, an inconsistency was found in the calculation of non-spinnaker TCC for boats rated with a spinnaker pole (whisker pole to windward). The formulation has now been updated so that the spinnaker pole is ignored for the non-spinnaker rating.

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.

2022 IRC FORMULATION CHANGES

This is not an exhaustive list of every development in the IRC rating formulation but covers the main changes and has been produced to help owners understand changes to IRC ratings. These are applied automatically in the rating software which is applied across the whole IRC fleet.

See https://ircrating.org/irc-rule/ for the full IRC Rule text and Appendix A Definitions, and details of Rule changes.

HEADSAILS

The rating formulation of headsails has been updated to address the rating imbalance of short luff/large roach headsails compared to equivalent area regular headsails.

FLYING HEADSAILS

The rating formulation for flying headsails has been updated such that flying headsail rating effect will be lower with specific consideration if there is a spinnaker declared for the boat.

LIGHT & POWERFUL (MODERN TYPE) BOATS

The rating formulation for relatively large, light and powerful boats such as TP 52s, Volvo 70s, Maxi 72s etc. has been updated with a rating increase. This also affects general light powerful boats to a lesser degree. For lighter powerful boats in the 30 to 40ft approximate range there is a small rating decrease.

BOW THRUSTERS

A tunnel bow thruster previously received a rating reduction by means of an adjustment to Hull Factor (HF). From 2022 this will be calculated within the software so HF will be the same with or without a bow thruster. Boats renewing an expired certificate with a tunnel bow thruster will see an increase in HF; however, there will be no change in the rating reduction due to the bowthruster. A retractable bow thruster previously received no HF adjustment. From 2022 there will be a small rating reduction and this will be calculated within the software. In both cases the bow thruster will be noted on the certificate.

WHISKER POLES

Rule 21.3.6 has been amended and IRC now only rates a whisker pole set to leeward:

21.3.6 Aboatshalldeclareusinganysparasawhiskerpolesettoleewardtosetaheadsailora flying headsail.

The rating effect is unchanged from 2021. Note: all boats have been reset to No Whisker Pole, so owner’s using a leeward whisker pole must declare it for their 2022 IRC rating, even if it was declared for the 2021 certificate.

A full copy of the 2022 Rules are available to download HERE.

Joint statement from RORC and UNCL regarding IRC and the Ukraine conflict

The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) and the Union Nationale Pour La Course Au Large (UNCL), who jointly own the International Rating Certificate (IRC) rule, abhor the invasion of Ukraine and extend their wholehearted support to the Ukrainian nation.

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We endorse the positions taken by World Sailing and the IOC. Until this situation is resolved, we will not admit Russian or Belarussian owned yachts to events that we organise; we are asking our Rule Authorities around the world not to issue IRC certificates to such vessels; and we will be asking each Rule Authority not to accept such an entry to an event sailed under IRC.

We will continue to assess the situation and work with Member National Authorities whilst respecting their national policies and those of World Sailing.

Urgent Changes to Rules 01/06/2021

Notice 2021/01
IRC Rule 11.1: Changes to Class Rules and 21.3.6: Whisker Poles

With effect from 1 June 2021, in IRC 2021 Rules, amend IRC Rule 21.3.6 regarding whisker poles and IRC Rule 11.1 regarding IRC Rules that can be changed:

Amend IRC rule 11.1:

11.1 A Rule Authority Prescription or Notice of Race may vary the requirements of IRC Rules 8.6, 9.6, 14.1, 15.1, 21.1.5 (d) (e) and (f), 21.3.6, 21.8.4, and 22.4. Any Rule Authority prescriptions shall have been approved by the national IRC Owners’ Association when such exists. No other IRC Rules may be amended.

Amend IRC rule 21.3.6:
21.3.6 A boat shall declare using any spar as a whisker pole to set a headsail or a flying headsail. This rule may be amended by a Notice of Race.

Reason
It has been brought to our attention that in heavy weather a whisker pole may be used to set a headsail to windward when it is unsafe or undesirable to set a spinnaker. If a Race Organiser believes this may be the case for their race, then they may consider that this circumstance should not result in a rating effect and therefore may decide to not apply IRC Rule 21.3.6.

Example of a rule amendment to 21.3.6 in a Notice of Race may be as follows:

IRC Rule 21.3.6 does not apply. A whisker pole to set a headsail may be used without IRC declaration.

For the avoidance of doubt outriggers are not permitted in accordance with IRC Rule 21.3.2 and Racing Rules of Sailing 55.

IRC Policy Steering Group

1 June 2021