world leader in rating technology offshore … superyacht rule 2016.pdfworld leader in rating...
TRANSCRIPT
World Leader in Rating Technology
OFFSHORE RACING CONGRESS
ORC Superyacht Rule
2016 – v 1.03
Copyright © 2016 Offshore Racing Congress.
Version 1.00 – 23.01.2016.
Version 1.01 – 08.02.2016.
Version 1.02 – 28.04.2016.
Version 1.03 – 16.05.2016.
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part is only with the permission of the Offshore Racing
Congress.
Cover picture: 2015 Loro Piana Caribbean Superyacht Regatta & Rendezvous
by courtesy YCCS
Part 1 - GENERAL
100 Rule Philosophy
The ORC Superyacht Rule uses the IMS (International Measurement System) and ORC VPP (Velocity
Prediction Program) modified to cover all the features and special characteristics of superyachts in
calculating the yacht’s predicted speed in different wind and sea conditions. With this information
ratings are calculated and used for corrected time calculations in scoring of races of yachts of different
sizes and characteristics.
Beside its scientific background, the main principle of the rule is transparency. Copies of certificates
are available at the ORCsy website and each owner or representative has the ability to check the effects
on their rating when changing any measurement value using the ORCsy ‘Sailor Services’.
101 Superyacht Definition
A superyacht is defined as a yacht with length overall (LOA) greater than 30.48 m (100 ft). However,
smaller yachts can also be measured and rated under this rule when a regatta organizer’s eligibility
criteria enables smaller yachts to compete in their superyacht fleet.
102 Authorities
The sole authority for the ORC Superyacht Rule is the Offshore Racing Congress and it shall be
maintained and administered at the ORC's discretion.
103 Administrative
103.1 The official language of the ORC Superyacht Rule is English and in case of dispute over translations
the English text shall prevail.
103.2 The word "shall" is mandatory and the words "may" and “can” are permissive.
103.3 Except where used in headings, when a term is printed in “bold” the definition in the Equipment Rules
of Sailing (ERS) applies and when a term is printed in “italics” the definition in the Racing Rules of
Sailing (RRS) applies.
103.4 When printed in "bold italics" the term is used as measurement taken or recorded by the measurer.
104 Rules Interpretations
The ORC Superyacht Class Technical Committee may at any time issue interpretations or corrections
of the ORC Superyacht Class Rule. Any such interpretation or correction shall be published and then
deemed final unless and until overruled by the ORC Management Committee and Congress.
Part 2 - MEASUREMENT
200 General
200.1 Yachts shall be measured in accordance with the International Measurement System (IMS) except
when modified by these rules. The following measurements with appropriate IMS rules are used for
the ORC Superyacht Rule.
Hull and appendages in the symmetry plane
OFF file B3
FFM Freeboard Forward Measured B5.3
FAM Freeboard Aft Measured B5.4
SG Water Specific Gravity B5.5
Propeller
Propeller Type D2
Propeller Installation D3
Appendages not included in the OFF File
Centerboard C2
Twin Rudders C3
Bilgeboard C4
Trim tab C5
Dynamic Stability System C6
Stability
PLM Length of Manometer E2.3
GSA Gauge Surface Area E2.4
RSA Reservoir Surface Area E2.5
WD Weight Distance E2.7
W1-4 Inclining Weights E2.8
PD1-4 Pendulum Deflections E2.9
LIST Average List Angle E4.2
CANT Average Canting Angle E6.3
Rig
P Mainsail Hoist F2.1
IG Height of Headsail Hoist F3.1
ISP Height of Spinnaker Hoist F3.2
BAS Boom Above Sheerline F3.4
E Mainsail Foot F5.1
J Foretriangle Base F6.1
SPL Spinnaker Pole Length F7.1
TPS Tacking Point of Spinnaker F7.2
Mizzen Rig
PY Mainsail Hoist Mizzen F10.1
BASY Boom Above Sheerline Mizzen F10.1
EY Mainsail Foot Mizzen F10.1
BDY Boom Diameter Mizzen F10.1
IY Height of Mizzen Staysail Hoist F10.2
EB Distance Between Masts F10.3
Sails
MHB Mainsail Top Width G2.1
MUW Mainsail Upper Width G2.1
MTW Mainsail 3/4 Width G2.1
MHW Mainsail 1/2 Width G2.1
MQW Mainsail 1/4 Width G2.1
MHBY Mizzen Top Width G3
MUWY Mizzen Upper Width G3
MTWY Mizzen 3/4 Width G3
MHWY Mizzen 1/2 Width G3
MQWY Mizzen 1/4 Width G3
HHB Headsail Top Width G4.1
HUW Headsail Upper Width G4.1
HTW Headsail 3/4 Width G4.1
HHW Headsail 1/2 Width G4.1
HQW Headsail 1/4 Width G4.1
HLU Headsail Luff G4.1
HLP Headsail Perpendicular G4.1
SHW Symm. Spinnaker Mid Width G6.4
SFL Symm. Spinnaker Foot G6.4
SLU Symm. Spinnaker Luff G6.4
SLE Symm. Spinnaker Leech G6.4
SHW Asymm. Spinnaker Mid Width G6.5
SFL Asymm. Spinnaker Foot G6.5
SLU Asymm. Spinnaker Luff G6.5
SLE Asymm. Spinnaker Leech G6.5
200.2 Measurements shall be taken by actual measurement whenever possible. However, it may also be taken
from:
a) 3D Hull file provided by designer
b) Stability booklet
c) Sailmaker’s sail measurement declaration
d) Sail and deck plan provided by designer
e) Any other information, including photos, drawings, designs, technical data vertfied by the rating
office
201 Hull Measurements
201.1 Yachts shall be measured as close as feasable to being in actual sailing condition, starting from the
measurement trim as defined in the IMS Rule B4 and adding a detailed inventory list that shall include:
a) Racing gear
b) Crew
c) Sails
d) Liquids
e) Anchor & Chain
f) Items that can be removed while racing
The inventory list (as shown on the Page 2 of ORCsy certificate) shall include the weight and the
longitudinal and vertical position of each item. Freeboard measurements shall be taken only if the
measured hull offset file is available.
201.2 If the centerboard is raised when sailing downwind, this shall be recorded as “YES”, and if not a “NO”.
201.3 For each non-manual powered sheeting and halyard winch, max. power in kW and max. speed in
meters/minute shall be recorded.
201.4 Frontal and lateral superstructures shall be recorded as the projected area taken above a line 600 mm
from the deck.
201.5 Frontal area of each dome shall be recorded.
201.6 Permanently open bow thruster tunnel diameter shall be recorded.
201.7 If a yacht is MCA (Maritime Coastguard Agency) certified, this shall be recorded as “YES”, and if
not, a “NO”.
202 Stability measurement
The boat’s stability shall be derived:
a) If there is measured hull offset file from the inclining test perfomed using the boom as an extension
arm as defined in the IMS Rule E2.2 with minimum of 1 degree heel to be reached
b) If there is no measured hull offset file, then from the data available in the stability booklet
203 Rig measurements
203.1 Rig measurements shall be taken according to the IMS Part F with additional measurements taken as
follows:
203.2 If there is a mainsail furler in the boom, this shall be recorded as “YES”, and if not a “NO”.
204 Sails measurements
204.1 Sails measurements shall be taken according to the IMS Part G with additional measurements as
follows:
204.2 If a headsails is set on the furler, this shall be recorded as “YES”, and if not a “NO”.
204.3 For each headsail, if it is furled more than 50% while tacking this this shall be recorded as “YES”,
and if not a “NO”.
204.4 Number of furled headsails (not deployed) when sailing upwind shall be recorded.
204.5 Maximum number of headsails aboard while racing (excluding storm and heavy weather sails) shall
be recorded.
204.6 Maximum number of spinnakers aboard while racing shall be recorded.
204.7 If inner jib is unfurled when the largest jib is furled while tacking, this shall be recorded as “YES”,
and if not a “NO”.
204.8 For any unconventional sail not measured as a main, mizzen, mizzen staysail, headsail or spinnaker,
the area shall be recorded as calculated from the sail dimensions as definded by the ERS or drawings
or pictures submitted to the ORCsy Rating Office. The use of such a sail shall be recorded as: upwind,
downwind or both.
204.9 Use of a mizzen staysail shall be declared as one of three options: with headsail, with spinnaker or
with both headsail and spinnaker.
Part 3 - RATING
300 Racing Trim
The ORCsy VPP (Velocity Prediction Program) is used to calculate ratings from a boat’s predicted
performance in various wind and sea state conditions. VPP calculations are made with the yacht in
racing trim, describing as close as possible to the actual condition in which yacht is sailing. The racing
trim is derived from the measurement trim and the detailed inventory list as defined in Rule 201.1.
301 Completely measured yacht
If the hull offset file, freeboards and stability are completely measured this is marked with “M” on the
ORCsy certificate and displacement in the racing trim is calculated from the hull geometry and
measured freeboards and
a) deducting the weights that are declared not to be on board while racing and;
b) adding the weights that are declared to be on board while racing but were not on the boat during
the measurement.
302 Partially measured yacht
302.1 If any of hull offset file, freeboards or stability are not measured this is marked with “D” on the ORCsy
certificate. In this case the displacement is calculated starting from the light ship trim of the stability
booklet and:
a) adding default weights for racing gear, crew, sails and declared values for liquids, anchors & chain.
The default evaluation of the weights to be added to the light ship displacement are underestimated
not to unduly favour boats not completely measured and
b) increasing the righting moment taken from the stability booklet by 5%
302.2 If any of hull offset file, freeboards or stability are not measured and stability booklet is not available,
the displacement and the stability data can be taken from any other source.The racing trim and righting
moment will be evaluated by the rating office where a rating penalty may be applied to the uncertainty
of data provided. In case any new data become available any certificate may be updated.
303 Use of Sails
303.1 Numbef of hedsails on board while racing shall not exceed the maximum as defined in 204.5.
303.2 Number of spinnakers on board while racing shall not exceed the maximum as defined in 204.6.
303.3 The area of any sail on board shall not be greater than the largest respective area for any of the
following sail types recorded in the ORCsy certificarte: mainsail, mizzen, mizzen staysail, headsails
set on the forestay, headsail set flying, symmetric spinnaker, asymmetric spinnaker.
304 Use of Headsails
304.1 Headsails may be set on the forestay or set flying.
304.2 Headsails set flying may be tacked:
a) in front of the forestay, when
i) it shall be tacked approximately on the boat’s centerline
ii) it shall not be used when any spinnaker is set
b) between the forestay (included) and the forward mast, when
i) it shall have HLP <= 1.1*J
ii) it shall be tacked inside any spinnaker sheet
iii) it may be tacked out of the boat’s centerline
304.3 When more than one headsail are used at the same time, if they are trimmed flat along the centerline
of the boat, and the clew of the foremost-tacked headsail is forward of the clew of any other headsail
trimmed in the same way, the measurements of the largest headsails set on the forestay shall be taken
as follows:
a) HLP shall be the distance between the aftmost clew and the foremost headstay
b) HLU shall be the longest luff of all headsails in the sails inventory
The resulting area of the largest headsail set on the forestay will be reduced by 5% if there are 3 or
more headsails used at the same time.
305 Weights in the Inventory list
Weights of any on item on board recorded in the Inventory list (racing gear, sails, anchor & chain,
items that can be removed while racing) shall not be less than the values printed on the certificate in
the „Weight Sailing“ column.
306 Observed Performance Factor (OPF)
306.1 The yacht’s rating may be adjusted by the Observed Performance Factor (OPF), which can be applied
by the ORC when:
a) the data and measurement information from the handicap application form is insufficient to provide
a detailed assessment of the yacht’s speed potential or is submitted late.
b) there is evidence from the race tracking data and/or from observed performances and timings that
the yacht’s elapsed time is grossly different from that predicted based on the rating allowances
published on the certificate.
OPF will not be applied in those cases where a yacht’s performance is clearly affected by tactical
mistakes or poor boat handling, as determined by GPS tracking and/or visual observations.
306.2 When the OPF is applied to a yacht that has a valid certificate, that certificate shall be withdrawn and
replaced with a new one that will adjust all time allowances based on the assigned OPF. If the OPF is
applied during a regatta, the races scored with the withdrawn certificate shall not be re-scored and the
new certificate, modified with the OPF, shall apply only to the races thereafter.
306.3 The decision to apply an OPF, or not, is at the sole discretion of the ORC and can not be grounds for
seeking redress. This changes RRS 62.1.
Part 4 - CERTIFICATES
400 Certificate Request
400.1 A request for an ORC Superyacht certificate shall be made by completing the on-line application form
at the ORCsy website. The application and all relevant documents to process a ORCsy certificate shall
be submitted no later than 6 weeks prior to the first racing day of the event, unless otherwise stated in
the regatta’s Notice of Race. The ORC may extend this deadline at its sole discretion.
400.2 The final sails inventory, the anchors and the amount of liquids (water and fuel) on board while racing
shall be declared to the ORCsy Technical Committee at the latest 2 weeks before the first racing day.
If events are taking place on two or three consecutive weeks exceptions will be taken in consideration.
400.3 Applications, documents, data as well as late configuration declarations arriving after the mentioned
dealines will have a 30% fee increase
401 Certificate Issuing
401.1 Certificates shall be issued by the ORC Central Rating Office. A levy, as determined by the ORC and
mentioned in the ORCsy web page, shall be paid for all valid certificates issued.
401.2 The Rating Office shall have the authority to issue the certificate upon receipt of the measurement
data, but if anything that can be considered unusual or against the general interest of the ORC
Superyacht Rule is found, the Rating Office may withhold the certificate pending an examination of
the case and issue a certificate only after approval is obtained from the ORC.
401.3 The certificate shall be valid until the date printed on the certificate, which shall normally be the 31st
of December of the current year.
401.4 A yacht shall have only one valid certificate at any one time. The valid certificate shall be only the last
one issued.
401.5 The certificates, once issued, are considered public, and copies are available to all superyacht owners
or their representatives registered through the ORCsy Sailor Services website.
402 Owner’s Responsibility
402.1 The owner or his representative shall be responsible for:
a) Preparing the yacht for measurement in accordance with the ORCsy rule
b) Declaring any required data to the measurer and/or on the handicap application
c) Ensuring compliance of any measurement data to those printed on the certificate. Compliance with
the certificate shall be defined as follows:
i) All measured, declared or recorded values shall be as close as possible to those on the certificate.
Differences are allowed only if the values on the certificate give a less favorable rating.
ii) The sail area shall be smaller or equal to the respective one printed on the certificate.
d) Using the yacht and equipment as prescribed by the RRS and ORC Superyacht Rule.
402.2 A certificate shall be automatically invalidated by a change of ownership. The new owner may request
a new certificate with a simple declaration that no changes have been made so a new certificate may
be issued without the need to submit a new handicap application or conduct any new measurement.
Conversely, the new owner has every right to have the boat re-measured.
402.3 Any change of the measurement data requires declaring all changes and/or a new measurement at
which time the ORC will issue a new certificate. Examples of changes include:
a) Changes of ballast in amount, location or configuration.
b) Change of tankage, fixed or portable, in size or location.
c) Any changes in the engine and/or propeller installation.
d) Any change to the size, cut or shape of the maximum area sails.
e) Changes to the shape of the yacht's hull and/or appendages
f) Changes to spars or standing rigging configuration
g) Any other change of the data listed in the handicap application and certificate that affects the
yacht’s rating.
403 Certificate Compliance
403.1 When, as a result of inspection, measurement check or a discovered error, it is determined that a yacht
does not comply with her certificate:
a) Prior to or between regattas, if the non-compliance is determined not to be the fault of the owner
or his/her representative, the certificate shall be withdrawn and replaced with a new certificate that
reflects any new measurement data.
b) If the non-compliance is discovered during a regatta, a new certificate will be issued, and all races
in the series going forward shall be scored using the new certificate rating values. Whether any or
all completed races scored using the old certificate are to be re-scored with the new certificate will
be at the sole discretion of the Race Committee.
c) If the the non-compliance is determined to be the fault of the owner or his/her representative, the
certificate shall be withdrawn and replaced with new certificate that reflects any new measurement
data, and the matter shall be refered to the Protest Committee. Nothing in this paragraph shall bar
action under the RRS concerning a yacht deliberately altered to not comply with her certificate
and shall not limit in any way acts of the Race Committee and Protest Committee against any
individual person involved.
Part 5 - SCORING
500 Ratings
500.1 The ORC Superyacht Rule provides rating time allowances expressed in s/NM for light, light-
moderate, moderate-strong and strong wind speeds in both flat water and rough water conditions. Time
allowances in s/NM are used for Time on Distance (ToD) scoring method while for Time on Time
(ToT) scoring, coefficients are calculated as ToT = 500 / ToD for each time allowance respectively.
500.2 Corrected times using Time on Distance scoring method are calculated as follows:
Corrected time = Elapsed time – (ToD * Distance)
500.3 Corrected times using Time on Time scoring method are calculated as follows:
Corrected time = ToT * Elapsed time
500.4 Corrected time shall be displayed in days:hours:minutes:seconds. When calculating corrected time,
the boat's elapsed time shall be translated to seconds, calculations shall be made and results shall be
then rounded to the nearest second (for example: 12345.5 = 12346 seconds). This time in seconds shall
be then put back in days:hours:minutes:seconds format.
500.5 Wind ranges for the different rating coefficients are as follows:
Light 9 kts or less
Light - Moderate more than 9 kts and up to 13 kts
Moderate – Strong more than 13 kts and up to 17 kts
Strong more than 17 kts
A reference height for the wind speed is 10 meters above the sea level.
500.6 The sea state for the upwind portion(s) of the designated race course shall be decided by the Race
Committee as ‘flat’ or ‘rough’. Rough sea state would be waves approximately 1 – 1.5 meters or higher
(trough to crest).
500.7 Decisions regarding the scoring method, course length, wind range and sea state shall be made by the
Race Committee and shall not be ground for seeking redress. This changes RRS 62.1. The way of
communicating scoring method and selected wind range and sea state will be defined in the Sailing
Instructions. The Race Committee will use all resources at its disposal (forecasts, pre-race readings
from RC boats, trends etc.) before designating the wind range and sea state for scoring each race.
501 Starting Formats and Scoring Options
501.1 For safety reasons, most superyacht regattas have the yachts start individually with a minimum gap
between starts of 30 seconds. The starting sequence shall be published before the start of each race and
will depend on the ratings (based on the wind range and sea state), fleet size, course configuration and
other safety and fair racing considerations. There are two common starting formats:
a) Staggered Start: Yachts can start slowest rated to fastest or fastest rated to slowest. The Race
Committee determines the stagger between yachts (usually 1, 2, or 3 minute gaps). Elapsed time
for each yacht is calculated from the time of her starting signal to her finishing time. Results are
then determined based on corrected times calculated either by the Time on Distance or Time on
Time scoring method, as decided by the Race Committee and published in the Sailing Instructions.
b) Pursuit Start: The slowest rated yacht starts first. The starting time for each yacht is calculated
from the appropriate Time on Distance (ToD) rating and course length. Starting times may be
adjusted to be rounded to the nearest 5-second increment (05, 10, 15 etc.) and in some instances
further adjusted to maintain the mandated 30 seconds safety gap between starters. Additionally, the
starting sequence may be adjusted to accommodate the gapping of class finish times for safety
reasons (usually 10 minutes between class finishes).
If two or more yachts have the same ToD rating, starting order will be determined by the slowest
average of the ToD ratings in the same sea condition. If tie still remains, it will be broken by using
the average of the ToD rating in other sea condition. If tie still remains it will be resolved by draw.
If on the following day of same event, the same yachts have the same rating allowance again, their
starting order will be swapped and this will be used for any following day where same situation
occurs.
Class results are then determined by the yacht’s actual finishing time with the first boat in class to
cross the finishing line winning.
i) Shortened course
If the course is shortened, elapsed time for each yacht is calculated from the time of her starting
signal to her finishing time. Results are then determined based on corrected times calculated by
the Time on Time scoring method.
ii) Fleet scoring
When scoring fleet results for a multi class regatta with gapped class finish times, arrival times
of each class, included in the multi class scoring, are adjusted by the ideal gap finishing time
fixed in the starting sequence.
Selection of the starting format and scoring options by the Race Committee shall not be grounds for
seeking redress. This changes RRS 62.1.
502 Re-scoring
502.1 Once race results are published, re-scoring of the race can be made only if any yacht’s certificate is re-
issued in accordance with the rule 403.
502.2 Re-scoring shall be done as follows:
a) Staggered Starts: New ToD or ToT scoring coefficients shall be applied for re-calculations of
corrected times.
b) Pursuit Starts: Finishing times for the yachts for which rating is corrected shall be adjusted using
the following formula:
New finishing time = Old finishing time + (ToDold – ToDnew) * course length
ORC SUPERYACHT CERTIFICATE SAMPLES