Bayview Yacht Club has announced the use of the IRC Rating System for Southhampton course boats in the 2005 Mackinac Race. There have been suggestions by some boat owners that the IRC Rating System should be used for DRYA racing also. This survey will collect boat specific information about using the IRC Rating System for DRYA racing for the "A course" boats.

The IRC is a measurement rating system that has been in use for the last decade in many parts of the world and is administered by the Royal Ocean Racing Council (RORC) in England. PHRF is a handicap system that has been used around the world for many decades in various forms and is locally administered. U.S. Sailing has been the national authority in the U.S. for PHRF and just this past year for IRC.

IRC ratings have been used for many high level races in over 30 countries, displacing IMS and PHRF rating systems for these races. PHRF continues in most countries for a few high level races but mainly for local racing.

In the U.S., a PHRF rating is achieved for a sailboat with a local handicapping committee, associated with U.S. Sailing, reviewing the relative performance, equipment and measurements. A single number is assigned to the boat, but it may be changed by the local committee based on the boats relative performance. Changes to ratings are made in increments of 3 seconds/mile and are usually a "time on distance" format. Measurement costs are required for new or "new to owner" boats. Protests on PHRF ratings are conducted locally and rating changes are generally not retroactive.

IRC ratings are provided by the RORC in England. To apply for an IRC rating, the boat must be measured for specific measurements, including front and rear overhangs and weight. Data can be provided by the owner or an IRC measurer can be hired to "endorse" the measurements (BYC is requiring "endorsed" measurement certificates for the faster boats in the 2005 Mackinac Race). Some "standard" measurements are available for some boats. Measurements (owner supplied or "endorsed") are submitted to the U.S. IRC authority and then to RORC and a single number rating is issued and will be used in a "time on time" system. Costs are about $4.80 per foot OAL new and are revalidated each year at about $4.20 per foot. Measurement costs are additional. Protests on IRC ratings are at the national level and if a rating is determined to be an incorrect advantage by more than .005, that certificate is declared invalid from the date of issue (Rule 19.7).

DRYA is considering adopting the IRC Rating System for the "A" course boats after the Mackinac race this year, since most of those boats would likely have an IRC rating. It is unknown if some boats may wish to stay with PHRF, but DRYA is using this survey to determine the PHRF and IRC interest for "A" course. Please fill out the attached form and send it to the DRYA Office. Please try to send it in as soon as possible. This topic will be the subject of discussion at the February 22 "Hot Stove" meeting at 7:30 pm at the Detroit Yacht Club.

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