IRC YEARBOOK 2009
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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(To find your local IRC Rule Authority, see page 64)
What does IRC stand for? weighed unless either he chooses to do so, or his Rule Authority (ie his
IRC does not officially stand for anything! Originally, ‘IR’ was International local IRC body) and/or an Organising Authority for a race requires official
Rule. However, as the Rule at that stage was not International, that name measurement, generally resulting in an Endorsed IRC certificate.
was not permitted. We simply decided to keep the initials as the name, and To apply for an Endorsed certificate contact your local Rule Authority
even after IRC received International recognition the name remained as (see page 64). A payment may be involved – for boats in the UK see our
simply IRC. Some people do call it International Rule ‘Club’, but it is not our Fees on page 49 or look on our website.
published name. Check measurement may be required on change of ownership or at
intervals after original measurement.
For how long is my certificate valid?
All IRC certificates expire on 31 December of the year they are issued (31 Do all sails need to be measured, or only the largest ones?
May in some overseas areas, as printed on the certificate). You will be The largest ones, plus the longest luff length of any headsail and the largest
invited to renew your certificate when it has expired. headsail headboard.
Can I hold more than one valid certificate for different What changes on my boat need to be declared to the Rating Office?
configurations? Any changes which may affect the performance of the boat (see Rule 9.6
No, except in the case of ‘short-handed’ certificates, see Rule 9.2. and 27.1. See also ‘Common Confusions’ on page 16).
Why is the rating rule secret? Can I remove items like the saloon table?
We believe the confidentiality of the IRC formulae is its main strength. It If items are removed, which are either standard on a production boat, or
helps to prevent designers and builders producing boats specifically to were included in the previous certificate, then this must be declared and
‘cheat’ the rule, thereby disenfranchising the existing designs for which IRC may affect the rating. Removing table, doors, etc, will increase Hull Factor;
was created to cater. we try to discourage this practice. See Rules 27.1 and 27.2.1.
My boat had an IRC rating in 2007 or 2008, do I need to complete the How can I see what effect changes I want to make might have on my rating?
whole new form? You can run up to SIX trial certificates; these are not valid for racing. See
No, please contact your local Rule Authority for a revalidation form. limitations and conditions published on our website.
My boat hasn’t had a rating for a few years but I want to get a current I need to amend some measurements / I want to run a trial certificate,
one. What do I need to do ? what should I do?
Contact your local Rule Authority with details of the boat and we will let you Download the amendment/trial form from our website, complete and return
know what we require and send you the relevant forms. For boats last rated to your Rule Authority with payment details.
before 2007 we usually require a new application form completed.
How do I get a copy of another yacht’s certificate?
I’ve just bought a boat with a current rating – do I have to do anything? Copies of any other boat’s certificate can be purchased for £10. However,
Yes. The IRC certificate is invalidated by change of ownership, so you need please see limits published on our website.
to re-register the certificate, please ask your local Rule Authority for a form.
Some check measurement may be required. Can I see what measurement data was submitted for another yacht?
Only the measurements and data shown on the IRC certificate are publicly
Do you hold standard data for designs? available, by buying a copy of their latest certificate.
We hold complete data for IRC one-designs (see OD form on page 53) and
standard hull data for many designs: a list is available on our website. For How is age allowance applied?
non-OD boats we always require actual rig and sail measurements. Age allowance is calculated and applied to the TCC automatically after
three years. Age allowance uses the average of the series and age dates in
My boat has held an IMS or ORC International certificate – can I get the its calculation.
information off that ?
Yes, except: bow and stern overhang, y,h,x; LL & LLmax, FL and STL which is Will my rating be the same each year? Why has my rating changed
measured differently. Please see the worksheet on page 51 and send a copy from last year even though my boat hasn’t?
of the latest certificate and p.2 Measurement Inventory with your application. Your rating may go up, down or stay the same from year to year, depending
on how it is affected by program changes. It will not automatically go down
Does my boat have to be weighed and/or measured by an official each year due to age allowance, although this is an integral part of the TCC
measurer? calculation. IRC is a ‘live’ rule. By this we mean that the maths behind the
No, unless you require an Endorsed certificate (see below), or your local calculation of TCC is continually adjusted on an annual basis to reflect
Rule Authority or race organiser requires boats to be weighed/measured. changes in design, sailing practice, etc. The changes affect generic types
and characteristics, not individual boats or designs.
What is an Endorsed certificate?
An ‘Endorsed’ IRC certificate is one for which the data on the certificate has Why is my rating higher than a sistership’s?
been audited and if necessary verified by measurement or other methods. Ratings are based on rated data; therefore any difference in measurements
The 2005 IRC Congress agreed that a set of common standards for the IRC or other details may affect the rating.
Rating Authority and Rule Authorities to apply when endorsing a boat’s IRC
certificate should be developed and published: these can now be found on My boat doesn’t have a proper sail number – does it matter?
our website. See also ‘Acceptable sources of data’ in the box on page 57. Yes, IRC-rated yachts must have an approved sail number. In the UK you
Generally, IRC is a self-measurement system. There is thus no should contact RORC, the RYA or the Clyde Yacht Clubs Association. If
general requirement for an owner to have his boat officially measured or overseas, contact your local National Authority.
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