IRC Proposes to Rate Headsail Count from 2024

28th September 2023

The Howth Grand Soleil 44 Samatom setting a flying jib and headsail in the coastal class of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta 2023. IRC rule makers say carrying multiple headsails can give distinct advantages with flexibility in sail wardrobe for varying conditions and the ability to increase headsail area by multiple headsails set flying, particularly in a reaching configuration. In recognition of these advantages, from 2024, the number of headsails carried aboard will be counted and rated, subject to IRC Congress approval Credit: Afloat

A major rule change for 2024 seeks to ensure fair competition among IRC-rated boats with varying sail configurations and address sustainability issues and costs to owners.

The IRC international rating system issues certificates for a huge variety of boat designs, from grand prix racers to cruising boats, and its development always looks at how the rating calculation across this diverse fleet might be improved.

At the annual International IRC Congress at the end of 2022, the IRC Technical Committee proposed rating the number of headsails from 2024; this was agreed in principle and during 2023, the Technical Committee has been working on the details and implementation of a new rule.

"IRC does not currently rate the number of headsails carried on board"

IRC does not currently rate the number of headsails carried on board, but considers the largest headsail area and longest headsail luff length. However, carrying multiple headsails can give distinct advantages with flexibility in sail wardrobe for varying conditions and the ability to increase headsail area by multiple headsails set flying, particularly in a reaching configuration. In recognition of these advantages, from 2024, the number of headsails carried aboard will be counted and rated, subject to IRC Congress approval.

In recognition of safety requirements, Offshore Special Regulation-compliant heavy weather jibs and storm jibs will not be included in the rated headsail count. Owners may still apply for an additional allowance for using a single furling headsail, and this rule will be simplified.

The IRC Technical Committee has now published the proposed rule changes for 2024 and Notice 2023-01, which gives more information and includes an indication of the rating effects for various numbers of headsails on various sizes and types of yachts.

The proposed change is downloadable below as a PDF.

Another IRC change for most boat owners for 2024 is all endorsed cert boats must have a measurement sticker on each sail, so owners may have to get sails measured during the winter to comply.

More here

Downloads

IRC-Notice-2023-01-Number-of-Headsails-rating-effects-Sept-2023.pdf (68 Downloads)

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