Andrew Pace
Sailing boat racing ratings are used to assign a value to a yacht or yacht setup. This value is then used to correct finish times after each race. The most common way to score a race is to use a time-on-time (TOT) or time-on-distance (TOD) correction. Ratings are based on the physical measurements of the boat. The boat with the lowest series score wins.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To correct finish times after each race |
| Calculation | Each boat's finish time minus their start time, multiplied by their F, gives their Corrected Elapsed Time (CET) |
| Scoring | The boat with the lowest series score wins |
| Handicaps | Given in seconds per nautical mile around a race course |
| Rating rules | Allow different designs of boats to race together |
| Rating basis | Physical measurements of the boat |
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What You'll Learn
Time-on-time (TOT) correction
The theory behind TOT is that in a slow race (i.e. light wind), the boats tend to spread out. A vessel’s ‘form’ or recorded performance will be taken directly into account with a handicap system, whereas a rule of rating relies purely on a set of dimensions and other relevant data being fed into a formula to give a Time Correction Factor (TCF).
To score the race, you take each boat's finish time, subtract their start time (giving their raw elapsed time) and multiply by their F, giving their Corrected Elapsed Time (CET).
For example, a J/24 (average PHRF 174 seconds per mile), racing on a ten-nautical-mile course against a Dufour 24 (average PHRF 240 seconds per mile), will have a handicap of 66 seconds per mile. The J/24 will finish the race 6 minutes and 36 seconds ahead of the Dufour 24.
The boat with the lowest series score wins and others shall be ranked accordingly.
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Time-on-distance (TOD) correction
The theory behind TOD is that in a slow race (i.e. light wind), the boats tend to spread out. A vessel’s ‘form’ or recorded performance will be taken directly into account with a handicap system. A handicap is given in seconds per nautical mile around a race course. For example, a J/24 (average PHRF 174 seconds per mile), racing on a ten-nautical-mile course against a Dufour 24 (average PHRF 240 seconds per mile).
A rule of rating relies purely on a set of dimensions and other relevant data being fed into a formula to give a Time Correction Factor (TCF). To score the race, you take each boat's finish time, subtract their start time (giving their raw elapsed time) and multiply by their F, giving their Corrected Elapsed Time (CET).
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Time Correction Factor (TCF)
A rating system assigns a value to a yacht or a particular yacht setup. This number is then used to correct finish times after each race. For example, rating 108 has an F of 1.020. To score the race, you take each boat's finish time, subtract their start time (giving their raw elapsed time) and multiply by their F, giving their Corrected Elapsed Time (CET).
The most common way to score a race is to use a time-on-time (TOT) or a time-on-distance (TOD) correction. TOT is based on the theory that in a slow race (i.e. light wind), the boats tend to spread out.
IRC is a rating rule to handicap different designs of keelboats, allowing them to race together. Ratings are based on the physical measurements of the boat.
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Yacht ratings
Yacht racing is scored using a rating system, which assigns a value to a yacht or a particular yacht setup. This number is then used to correct finish times after each race. The most common way to score a race is to use a time-on-time (TOT) or a time-on-distance (TOD) correction.
The theory behind TOT is that in a slow race (i.e. light wind), the boats tend to spread out. To score the race, you take each boat's finish time, subtract their start time (giving their raw elapsed time) and multiply by their F, giving their Corrected Elapsed Time (CET).
A vessel’s ‘form’ or recorded performance will be taken directly into account with a handicap system, whereas a rule of rating relies purely on a set of dimensions and other relevant data being fed into a formula to give a Time Correction Factor (TCF). Yacht ratings are based on the physical measurements of the boat.
A skilled crew using new sails and gear may be able to sail faster than their rating would indicate. The handicaps are given in seconds per nautical mile around a race course.
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IRC rating rule
The IRC rating rule is a system of handicapping sailboats and yachts for the purpose of racing. It is managed by the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) in the United Kingdom and the Union Nationale pour la Course au Large (UNCL) in France. The IRC rule is not published, meaning the only bodies capable of calculating an IRC rating are the RORC Rating Office and UNCL Centre de Calcul in Paris (they are joint owners of the rule). This prevents designers from attempting to design 'to the rule'.
The IRC rule was originally called Channel Handicap and was developed in 1983. There was a strong decline in the turnout for racing at the then predominant IOR (International Offshore Rule). The British RORC and the French UNCL, who jointly developed the rule, saw it as a means to get the "average club sailor" involved in racing, in the hope that they would subsequently upgrade their boat to participate under the IOR rule, or possibly the IMS handicapping system if that became more established.
The IRC rule is based on the physical measurements of the boat. The boat with the lowest series score wins and others shall be ranked accordingly. A skilled crew using new sails and gear may be able to sail faster than their rating would indicate. The handicaps are given in seconds per nautical mile around a race course.
The rating formulation of headsails has been updated to address the rating imbalance of short luff/large roach headsails compared to equivalent area regular headsails.
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Frequently asked questions
A sailing boat rating is a value assigned to a yacht or a particular yacht setup. This number is then used to correct finish times after each race.
To score a race, you take each boat's finish time, subtract their start time (giving their raw elapsed time) and multiply by their F, giving their Corrected Elapsed Time (CET). The boat with the lowest series score wins.
A vessel’s ‘form’ or recorded performance will be taken directly into account with a handicap system, whereas a rule of rating relies purely on a set of dimensions and other relevant data being fed into a formula to give a Time Correction Factor (TCF).
IRC is a rating rule to handicap different designs of keelboats allowing them to race together. Ratings are based on the physical measurements of the boat.
