IRC YEARBOOK 2009
COMMON
CONFUSIONS
The Rating Office regularly receives questions concerning compliance with IRC Rules.
We also often hear anecdotally that boats are (generally inadvertently) infringing IRC
rules. Commonly recurring issues are looked at below.
Furling headsails – dos and don’ts
Probably the most commonly misunderstood IRC rule is
Rule 26.8, Furling Headsails. Based on your application for
rating, the Rating Office will determine your eligibility. It is
then your responsibility to comply while racing.
On your boat's certificate, you will find one of the following:
Multiple headsails permitted means:
You are not receiving the furling headsail rating credit
and may use any number of headsails.
Or Multiple headsails permitted (Furler LP<1.3*J) means:
You applied for the furling headsail credit but are not
eligible because your rated Headsail LP is less than
1.3*J. You may therefore use any number of headsails.
Or Single furling headsail only means:
You are receiving the furling headsail rating credit and
may use only one headsail during a race. No other
headsail may be used.
Or Single furling headsail plus H/W jib means:
You are receiving the furling headsail rating credit at the
reduced rate and may use only one headsail or a heavy
weather jib during a race. No other headsail may be used.
For boats receiving the rating credit, other points to note are:
•
Your boat must be fitted with a complete headsail furling system.
•
A boat rated for a single furling headsail but no heavy weather
•
There is no restriction on carrying additional headsails on board, jib may nevertheless carry a heavy weather jib aboard without
just in not using them. infringing IRC Rules. If however she uses it while racing, she
•
A #3 headsail is NOT a 'heavy weather jib'. infringes IRC Rules and must retire.
•
A heavy weather jib is defined as a headsail of area not greater
•
A storm jib (See IRC Definitions) may be used by all
than 13.5 per cent height of the foretriangle* squared and without reef boats at any time.
points. *Height of the foretriangle is the vertical height from the
•
If you are competing in a series of races, you must
sheerline abreast the mast to the forestay mast attachment point. use use the same headsail for all races in the
16
IRC 09 Confusion P16-18_bs.indd 16 1/12/08 08:52:17
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68