Rules & Regulations

 

ORC 2012 Rules are downloadable for free from this web site to be saved and printed as needed. Compliance with IMS Rule 304 (a copy of the Rules must be on board while racing) can thus be fulfilled by having the pdf file on a computer, tablet or any other device taken on board while racing. Any clarifications, intepretations or updates that may become necessary, will be published on this page. Click here for the summary of changes to the Rules in 2012.

International Measurement System IMS

IMS is the platform that defines the procedures and methods for measuring a boat's hull, appendages, propeller, stability, rig, sails, heavy items and accommodation. The complete data set of IMS is intended to be used primarily for ORC International and ORC Club, but it can also be used by other handicapping systems that wish to adjust their performance analysis by secret or public formulae. IMS uses wherever possible the ISAF Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS) definitions and prescriptions and may be easily understandable for any measurer having experience in measuring different types and classes of yachts. Click here or on cover page to download PDF file.

 

ORC Rating Systems

ORC Rating systems (ORC International and ORC Club) use the International Measurement System (IMS) as a measurement platform and the ORC Velocity Prediction Program (VPP) to rate boats of different characteristics in size, hull and appendages shape and configuration, stability, rig and sails measurement, propeller installation and many other details affecting their theoretical speed. ORC Rating Rules includes the limits and defaults for the hull, rig, sails, crew, the rules applying while racing, certificate layouts and description and a complete explanation of different ORC scoring options. Click here or on cover page to download PDF file.

 

"Green Book"

The ORC "Green Book" contains ORC Championship Rules that apply at the World and Continental Championships recognized by the ORC and ISAF. Four parts of the Green Book may be also downloaded as separate documents: ORC Championship Rules, Standard Notice of Race, Standard Sailing Instructions and ORC Classes. ORC Championship Rules are also recommended for regional and national championships, and a Standard Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions may be used for any event using ORC Rating systems. Click here or on cover page to download PDF file of complete Green Book.

Following documents are also available as Word files: Standard Notice of Race, Standard Sailing Instructions and ORC Championship Checklist.

ORC VPP Documentation 2011 - not yet updated for 2012

The ORC VPP is part of three key elements to the current ORC handicap system: the International Measurement System (IMS) used to measure the boat, and it sails, spars, and appendages; the performance prediction procedure which determines the parametric inputs used by the VPP to predict sailing speed at different wind speeds and wind angles, and with different sails set; a race management system where the results of the VPP are applied to offer race handicapping, whether generalized or specific to the conditions of the race. The VPP Documentation describes the methodology of the equations used to calculate the forces produced by the hull, appendages, and sails, and how these are combined in the VPP. Click here or on cover page to download PDF file.

GP Class Rules

GP Class Rules are available at the GP page.
 

Offshore Special Regulations

Offshore Special Regulations are available at the ISAF website.
 

ORC Speed Guide Explanation

The ORC Speed Guide puts the power and accuracy of the ORC VPP to work for you, the boat owner. Use of the Speed Guide can help your team improve their performance on the water by giving you target boat speeds to achieve for any wind strength and any wind angle and with any sail combination. This package collates and displays in both tabular and graphical form the theoretically predicted boat speed, in knots, of any boat measured for ORC International or ORC Club. The data is given for a wide variety of true wind speeds (6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, & 20 knots) and true wind angles, including optimal upwind and downwind VMG angles. The data is also provided for a variety of sail combinations: jib, genoa, asymmetric spinnaker, symmetric spinnaker, and Code 0. Click here or on cover page to download PDF file ...

ORC Stability and Hydrostatics Datasheet Explanation

The ORC Stability and Hydrostatics Datasheet presents valuable stability data relevant for class and event organizers to determine the stability characteristics of offshore boats. Using measurement data taken from the ORC International and ORC Club certificates, the datasheet displays important stability information such as the Righting Arm Curve and the Stability Index calculation, and how they relate to the requirements of the Offshore Special Regulations. Hydrostatic data is also given for the displacement, length of waterline and overhangs, wetted surface area, and longitudinal centers of buoyancy and flotation, with all data calculated for both measurement and sailing trim. An additional Righting Arm Curve is also given for water ballast and canting keel configurations. Click here or on cover page to download PDF file ...