Mark Mansfield from Quantum Sails Ireland goes through the main changes in IRC for the 2023 season
The annual IRC review has been completed by the RORC/UNCL, which govern the rules of the biggest rating rule in sailing.
There have been many changes, but some are small and pretty insignificant. The main changes for 2023 are as follows.
1. A yacht can now have two rating certificates, so for example, if a boat likes to carry three spinnakers inshore, but five spinnakers offshore, she no longer needs to change her handicap—she can have two certs covering both options for the season. Some conditions apply and only certain data can change.
2. Stored power for hoisting mainsail, or reefing or adjusting furling jibs, no longer needs to be declared on the cert. Not really a big issue, as there was no penalty for this before. There still will be penalties for using stored power for trimming sails, operating winches etc.
AJA Cape 31 from Howth with Quantum Fusion M7 Main and Superkote A2 spinnaker Photo: Afloat
For the 2024 season, The IRC Committee have decided on the following changes, which will not come into effect this year.
a. From 2024, for boats with an endorsed certificate, sail measurement stamps will be required on all sails. Most sails currently already have them. This is to ensure it is easier to see what sails a boat has on board and will help police the following rule change below.
b. From 2024, boats will need to declare the number of Jibs on board, similar to the rule for spinnakers. A base number of Jibs will not affect the rating, and these figures have yet to be agreed. Storm jibs are not included. So, for instance, if they determine that 4 jibs are base, if you have 5, you will be penalised. Likewise, if you have only 2 jibs, you will have a reduced rating. This rule is primarily aimed at offshore boats that carry many staysails, flying jibs, blast reachers etc. However, as you are now allowed two ratings, it will be possible inshore for a boat that normally carries 4 jibs to reduce the number for specific events with their 2nd rating, where you may know what the wind conditions will be. If it was a light wind forecast, boats might just use a J1 and a J2, so her second cert maybe this 2-jib option.
Quantum Sails Ireland can help you optimise your boat for IRC in 2023, or can provide a quote for sails. Give Mark Mansfield an e-mail or call at [email protected] or at 087 250 6838.
The full changes to the IRC rule can be viewed here
