So, removal of, for
Changes to boats instance, the saloon table, fl oorboards,
IRC Rule 8.6 notes that physical changes which might affect the locker doors, watermakers, galley units, or any other fi xed item is
performance of the boat automatically invalidate the rating not permitted without fi rst reporting the change to the Rating Offi ce
certifi cate. Apart from obvious changes to rated data, sail and requesting an amended certifi cate.
dimensions, keels, rudders, etc, this also includes removal of In a similar vein, each boat’s IRC rating certifi cate notes whether
furniture or any other fi xed item aboard the boat when she was the boat weight includes bunk cushions and batteries. If these are
weighed, measured, or on which the rating has been based. noted as included, then they must be carried. ‘Loose’ items (bunk
Additionally, Rules 22.1 and 22.2 specifi cally address fi t-out, cushions, bunk boards, etc) aboard the boat when she was
noting that Hull Factor may be affected by any changes. measured must be carried in their normal positions when racing.
Crew number and crew classifi cation Non-spinnaker TCC
Except for the special case of boats holding either short-handed or ‘one design’ Certifi cates include a second, non-spinnaker TCC
certifi cates (which must comply with their class rules in respect of crew), unless a for all boats normally rated to use a spinnaker.
Notice of Race specifi cally includes crew number limitations or requires boats to This second TCC is only valid for races for which
hold an Endorsed certifi cate, there are no crew number or weight limitations when the Notice of Race includes a non-spinnaker
racing under IRC. Similarly, there are no restrictions on crew classifi cation, again class. What is defi nitely NOT permitted is calling
unless invoked by Notice of Race. For these issues, therefore, boats need to refer up the Race Committee 10 minutes before the
to Notices of Race for compliance issues. start of a windy race and asking them to use the
IRC Crew Number is not variable by a boat and has no effect on TCC. non-spinnaker TCC!
Short-handed certifi cates
The main things that should be noted are:
It is now possible to hold a second ‘short-handed’ certifi cate, which
1. A short-handed certifi cate can be held only where a current primary
can be held concurrently with your ‘primary’ certifi cate. The purpose of
certifi cate is already held.
this is to enable those who regularly enter single or two-handed
2. The rating is not affected by the crew number itself, therefore a
classes with a different confi guration to their fully crewed set-up to do
short-handed certifi cate is only required where the sail data or
so without having to amend their certifi cate each time.
confi guration are different to the primary certifi cate.
The important thing to point out is that crew number alone makes
3. There are limits on the data that can be altered for a short-handed
NO difference to the rating. The rating will only differ from your
certifi cate. These are listed in IRC Rule 8.2.1 and include sail
‘primary’ certifi cate if you sail in a different confi guration, for instance
measurement, spinnaker pole/bowsprit, movable or variable ballast
with smaller sails.
and the use of stored power.
4. A short-handed certifi cate can only be used for racing in a
Short-handed Class, which is included in the Notice of Race.
35
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