Meeting Minutes

Fair & Fun Racing!

Whilst Mini Tonners' may of course race in events under an organising club's rules, such as Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) - to ensure we get the most fair and competitive racing - the class will hold any major regattas under the IRC's Rating system.

Please don't be put off by this - it's simple enough to get rated and is well worth the effort!

An Introduction to IRC

IRC is a rating rule
IRC is a rating rule to handicap different designs of keelboats allowing them to race together. Each boat’s rating (her ‘handicap’) is calculated using measurements of the boat; her length, weight, draft, sail area, etc. The resulting time corrector, the boat’s ‘TCC’, is her handicap. After a race, each boat’s elapsed time (the time she has taken to complete the course) is multiplied by her TCC to calculate her corrected time (her race time making allowance for the characteristics of the boat). The boat with the shortest corrected time is the winner of the race.

IRC is a simple rule
IRC is structured to be as simple as possible for both sailors and race administrators: there is no requirement for boats to be officially measured. IRC accepts owner declaration of a boat’s measurements. All an owner needs to do is fill in the application form and send it to us. (see web link on the right)

IRC is for keelboats of all size and shapes
IRC is aimed at a very wide range of keelboats of all sizes and shapes including modern production cruisers and cruiser/racers through dedicated one-off race boats, older cruisers and racers to classic yachts and superyachts. IRC is continually developed to encompass new developments in both cruisers and racers while at the same time protecting the interests of the bulk of the fleet.

IRC is a secret rule
The methods used for the calculation of IRC TCCs are kept secret by the IRC administrators. This prevents designers taking advantage of the rule when designing new boats and very substantially increases the competitive lifetime of IRC rated boats. As a result, boats of all ages and types win races under IRC. Everything from classics through IOR designs to modern cruisers, cruiser/racers, and racers.

IRC is popular
IRC is used for a huge number of races and regattas. Apart from local races, IRC is used at (among many others) Cowes Week, Fastnet Race, Cork Week, Voiles de St Tropez, Key West Race Week, Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, Sydney to Hobart Race and the Commodores’ Cup.

* In 2008 nearly 7500 boats in 30+ countries on all 6 continents held IRC certificates.

All the information needed to apply for an IRC certificate can be found on the IRC website (see the link on the right).

Some Frequently asked IRC Questions:

Q. My boat hasn't had a rating for a few years but I want to get a current one. What do I need to do ?

A. Contact your local Rule Authority with details of the boat and we will let you know what we require and send you the relevant forms. For boats last rated more than 2 years ago we usually require a new application form completed.

Q. Do you hold standard data for designs?

A. We hold complete data for IRC one-designs and standard hull data for many designs: contact your authority. For non-OD boats we always require actual rig and sail measurements.

Q. Does my boat have to be weighed and/or measured by an official measurer?

A. No, unless you require an Endorsed certificate (see below), or your local Rule Authority or race organiser requires boats to be weighed/measured.

Q. Do all sails need to be measured, or only the largest ones?

A. The largest ones, plus the longest luff length of any headsail and the largest headsail headboard.

Q. Why is my rating higher than a sistership's?

A. Ratings are based on rated data; therefore any difference in measurements or other details may affect the rating.

Q. My boat doesn't have a proper sail number - does it matter?

A. Yes, IRC rated yachts must have an approved sail number, in the UK you should contact RORC, the RYA or the Clyde Yacht Clubs Association. If overseas, contact your local Rule Authority.

* A Useful Note

Sail Numbers will be in the form of GBR four digit numbers with a suffix of Y, L, T or N e.g. GBR 4567T. (older IOR rated boats may have a GBR number (ex K) with NO suffix and this is fine.

(see the link on the right).