How do I get an IRC rating for my boat?

[dralex]

I need to get my boat measured and IRC rated. Where can I get this done and roughly how much does it cost to get certified.

Thanks in advance

Alex

 

[Sea_dreamer]

I am going through this at the moment.

Go to http://www.rorcrating.com where you will get the details. They insist that you use their new spreadsheet form, which is on the web site. There are guidelines also available online.

Unfortunately (at least for me) they wouldn't let me renew the old IRC handicap they had for the boat. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif However they were very helpful on the phone.

I'm off measuring this evening!

John

 

[dralex]

Thanks Seadreamer
So you can measure the boat yourself? Do you have to get it weighed? Is it easy to adjust the rating as I add sails? What's the best way of optomizing the IRC rating?

 

[Sea_dreamer]

As to the last question - absolutely no idea! The flavour I get is that there are people who look out for attempts to manipulate the rating, and adjust accordingly.

As I understand it you can get the handicap on the basis of your own measurements, but it is declared as such. I suppose if you start cleaning up at international events then someone is going to ask for a second opinion.

On weight, I am taking the published weight, which is 5500kg. However with the books, wine, gin, beer, spares, liferaft, dinghy and general stuff on board I am not going to have an advantage...

I am sure the folks at RORC will keep you right.

John

 

[rudolph_hart]

The original concept of Channel Handicap (now IRC) was that it was a self-measure system, as opposed to paying for a RORC measurer to do it.

As yours is a 'production' yacht, the simplest way to go about it (IMHO) is to get a copy certificate for another D34, and use this as a yardstick. You can get one from RORC. Three I know of are 'Mr Bojangles', 'Valkyrie' & 'Saphire'.

The IRC Handbook, from RORC, shows you how to take the measurements, and has the form to fill out.

As for Weight, RORC suiggest you to use one of their own load cells, as this means that any calibration 'funnies' are the same for all. Alternatively, use the weight shown in other certificate and adjust for differences (e.g 2GM or 3GM Yanmar, wheel/tiller, Eberspacher etc)

If you plan to take it REALLY seriously, you can apply for a Validated Certificate, which involves a RORC measurer visiting and taking the measurements. You must be there (it takes all day) and it costs. When I had this done, a bunch of us got together and had our yachts measured at a marina in one session, and shared costs.