The IRC Rule is a measurement rule jointly administered by RORC and UNCL. A measurement rule is one in which the rating is calculated based on measurements of the yacht’s hull, appendages, rig, sails and weight. The accuracy of the supplied data is critically tied to the rating that is issued. 

IRC 2012 Rules

IRC 2012 Rule changes

IRC Notice 2012/01 - Definition of Heavy Weather Jib

2012 IRC Yearbook

The US SAILING Offshore office administers the IRC Rating for U.S. boats: 

2012 IRC application

2012 IRC revalidation

list of IRC Acceptable Sources of Data

list of US Sailing certified IRC measurers and Measurement Stations

list of the IRC One Design classes

IRC One-Design application

Contact US Sailing Offshore Office if you have any questions

CHANGES TO THE IRC RULE for 2012

A link to the significant changes can be found above. The following Rule changes come into effect on 1st January 2012: 

• Rule 9.6 is amended to clarify the position when a rating protest has been lodged.

• Rule 10.6 is amended to give the Rating Authority greater flexibility.

• Rule 21.5.3 is amended to remove the mainsail widths minima in the interests of greater equity for boats with in?mast furling mainsails.

• Rules 21.7.1 and 21.7.3 are amended to remove the headsail widths minima in the interests of greater equity for boats with overlapping headsails or a roller furling headsail.

• Rule 22.3.3 is amended to require boats with canting keels to have a physical lock at maximum keel cant angle.

• The definitions of h and y are amended without change in meaning to replace defective wording and to improve clarity.

• The definition of LP is amended to clarify which sails are included in the measurement of LP for cutter rigs.

• Typographic corrections without any changes in meaning have been made to Rules 9.6, 25.1, 26.1, and the definition of LH.

IRC RATING CERTIFICATES

There are two types of IRC rating certificates: Standard and Endorsed. Another type of Endorsed Certificate is the IRC One-Design Certificate.  Whether a Standard or Endorsed Certificate is required depends upon the events that will be entered. Contact the race committee and/or check the Notice of Race to determine the type of certificate that is needed.  One other type is a Trial Certificate. These certificates provide information as to the rating a boat would receive for planned or projected changes. A Trial Certificate is NOT valid for racing.

Standard Certificate

 
An IRC Standard Certificate may be based upon owner measured/declared information, designer data, sistership data or similar sources. A certified IRC measurer is not required.

 
Endorsed Certificate
 

An IRC Endorsed Certificate is based upon verified data from select sources. The primary sources of the data are a US Sailing certified IRC measurer for hull and rig data and a US Sailing certified sail measurer for sail measurements. Verified data may also be extracted from ORR, ORC or IMS certificates.
 

IRC One Design Certificate
 

Another type of endorsed certificate is the IRC One Design Certificate. IRC One Design Certificates are available for boats in classes recognized by the IRC. No measurements are necessary to obtain an IRC One Design Certificate. When applying, the boat owner must certify that the boat is in full compliance with the current One Design Class Rules for the design and holds a valid class certificate.

IRC NON-SPINNAKER

Owners of boats that would not qualify for the NYYC Cruising Rule (i.e. racing boats that will be sailed short-handed, racer cruisers with a higher sail area to displacement ratio) can race using their Non-Spinnaker TCC that is shown on the IRC certificate.