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The Offshore Racing Rule (ORR) is administered by the Offshore Racing
Association (ORA). ORA and US SAILING, the national authority for sailing
in the United States, are both responsible for its implementation.
The ORR predicts relative time allowances between boats to permit boats
of different sizes, types and ages to compete with the fairest ratings
possible.
The ORR is an objective rule. Its ratings are based on full measurement
of all the speed-related features of sailboats and on a Velocity Prediction
Program (VPP) that calculates the speed potential of each boat at any
combination of wind speed and course direction. The VPP is a set of
algorithms developed through systematic research that use fundamental
scientific methods.
ORR is intended to be a non-typeforming measurement rule that fairly
rates properly designed and prepared yachts which are equipped for offshore
racing. It must be clearly understood by all who use ORR that it is
not a development rule and therefore is not intended for sailors who
are looking to “beat” the rule. In order to discourage attempts
to design yachts “to the rule”, the algorithms of the VPP
are non-public. ORR will be updated on a regular basis to stay ahead
of design developments.
The ORR Rulebook provides details about measurement, restrictions, ratings
and everything else required to race under the ORR. Owners, sailors,
designers, sail-makers and builders should consult the rulebook to prepare
and race their boats. This Quick Start Guide provides an overview to
help owners understand what they need to do to race under ORR.
The ORR is intended to rate a broad diversity of sailing yachts but
limits are imposed either to ensure reasonably close racing or because
there is insufficient science. For example, at present ORR does not
rate multi-hull yachts or kite sails.
Valid certificates, issued by US SAILING, are required for racing under
ORR. This guide, and the rulebook, will help owners through the process
of measurement and certification.
The ORR requires a full description of the geometry of hull, rig, and
sails; how the boat sits in the water (to get length, weight, wetted
area, etc.) and the stability of the boat (resistance to heeling over.)
Owners should contact US SAILING who will provide necessary information
and refer them to a trained and certified measurer for their geographic
area. The owner should familiarize himself with this guide and contact
the measurer to begin the measurement process.
For boats with a valid IMS or fully measured valid AMERICAP certificate,
that is sufficient information for a “Fully Measured” ORR
certificate. For boats with a valid AMERICAP certificate that was issued
using less then full measurements or declared input data, this information
is sufficient for a “Partial Measurement” ORR certificate.
Reference: Rule 1.03
The owner is responsible for preparing the boat for measurement ashore.
The surface of the hull will be surveyed with an instrument that provides
the detailed description necessary for the calculations in the VPP.
Reference: Rule 3.02.1
If the boat has a sister ship that has been fully measured, the requirement
for hull surveying may be waived by the chief measurer. Hull surveying
may also be waived if the designer of the boat supplies the “lines”
in a suitable electronic format. In the latter case, measurement checks
will be conducted. Reference: Rule 3.02.1.c
The owner is responsible for preparing the boat for measurement afloat.
This means following the instructions for Measurement Trim, basically
a list of what shall and shall not be on board. The measurer will measure
the freeboards of the boat and conduct an inclining test to establish
the stability. Reference: Rule 3.02.2
Fully measured boats bear the notation "FULL MEASUREMENT".
If the boat has a sister ship that was measured in-water, those measurements
may be used, subject to a review by ORR administration. In such a case
the resulting ORR certificate will be labeled "PARTIAL MEASUREMENT".
Reference: Rule 1.03
Please be aware that some regattas may require FULL MEASUREMENT certificates.
The owner is responsible for declaring to the measurer all spars and
sails that he proposes to carry on the yacht and make them available
for measurement. The dimensions of the principal elements of the rig:
masts, booms, poles, sprits and sail attachment points shall be measured.
The dimensions of the sails will be measured to derive the sail areas
used for rating calculation.
Reference: Rule 3.02.3, Part IX - RIG, Part XX - SAILS
If there are changes to the canoe body, the appendages, the rig, the
sails and/or equipment carried on board, or to anything that might change
the boat’s rating the owner is responsible to declare these changes
to the rating authority. Reference: Rule 3.03.1
Participation in ORR races may be restricted on the basis of the Stability
Index, derived from the boats LPS, maximum beam, displacement (weight)
and sailing length. Reference: Rule 2.02.1
For boats with moveable ballast, participation in ORR races may be restricted
on the basis of the Ballast Leeward Recovery Index (BLRI). The BLRI
represents the ability of a boat to recover from a knockdown with the
moveable ballast located to leeward. Reference: Rule 2.02.2
The purpose is to prevent boats being raced in hull, rig and/or sail
configurations that are different from how the boat was measured and
rated or are out of the scope of what the ORR rule permits.
Reference: PART IV
• Movement of ballast, fixtures and accommodation
• Running the engine for propulsion
• Changes in fuel and water tankage beyond normal use
• Use of stored energy in ways other than those explicitly permitted
• Rotating masts
• Altering the location of the mast step
• Trim and use of sails not consistent with how they were measured
and rated
• Changes to standing rigging is not permitted while racing
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