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Measurement Certificates for the Newport Bermuda Race: FAQ

What measurement certificate is required for the 2010 Newport Bermuda Race?
All boats are required to have a valid ORR certificate based on full measurement.

How do I get my ORR or IRC measurement certificate?
ORR and IRC rating certificates are issued through US Sailing, the governing authority for the sport of sailing in the US.  Your first stop in all cases is US Sailing, either by visiting www.ussailing.org, or by calling 401-683-0800. We strongly recommend a visit to the US Sailing website before calling, since much of the required information is available online.

US Sailing will give you a list of certified measurers to contact based on your boat’s location. You should directly contact the measurer to arrange for the necessary measurement.

Will there be racing under IRC?
The Newport Bermuda Race forms part of the Onion Patch series, which will be scored using IRC. Onion Patch participants must have an endorsed IRC certificate as well as an ORR certificate. Other boats in the St. David’s Lighthouse Division (amateur crew) and Gibbs Hill Lighthouse Division (professional crew) may also race for IRC trophies in the Newport Bermuda Race by submitting an endorsed IRC certificate in addition to the required ORR certificate.

There are multiple levels of ORR and IRC certificates. Which do I need?
ORR certificates shall be based on “full measurement”.  IRC certificates shall be “endorsed” certificates.

I have an IMS certificate and/or an Americap II certificate. Is further measurement required for an ORR certificate?
IMS certificates and Americap II certificates which are based on full measurement can be directly translated into an ORR certificate with no further measurement required, as long as the boat remains unmodified since those certificates were issued. You will be required to file a simple application with US Sailing in order to get your ORR certificate.

For existing IMS and Americap II certificates that are not based on full measurement, contact US Sailing to determine what additional measurement is required for a “full-measurement” ORR certificate.

I have a custom boat that has never had a certificate. What measurements will be required for an ORR certificate?
The hull lines will need to be entered in the US Sailing computer, either by direct measurement in the field by a certified measurer, or by digital lines submitted to US Sailing by the boat’s designer.

The propeller installation will be field-measured by a certified measurer, as will the rig dimensions. Once the boat is launched, the owner will put the boat in “measurement trim”, and the measurer will complete the in-water measurement, including recording the freeboard measurements and performing an inclining experiment to determine the boat’s righting moment. Sails are typically measured in the sail loft. Most sail lofts have certified in-house measurers. All the data is collected and coordinated by the measurer who performed the hull or in-water measurement, who then submits the data to US Sailing to process the certificate.

My boat has never had a certificate, but it’s a stock production boat. What measurement will be required?
Digital hull lines for hundreds of production models are on file at US Sailing. If you have a production sailboat built in the last 30 years, there’s a good chance your boat’s hull is an ORR/IMS “standard” hull. If your hull is a “standard” hull, it will still need prop, rig, sail, and in-water measurement as above, but the hull will not need to be measured, saving you time and money.

My old IMS or Americap II certificate has expired. Can I still get a new ORR certificate?
Generally speaking, yes. If the boat has not been altered since the last certificate was issued, you should contact US Sailing for re-validation of your old certificate and an application form for a new ORR certificate.

Is it possible to get both ORR and IRC certificates with a single in-water measurement?
Yes. You will need to notify the measurer before your measurement appointment that you want both certificates, and he will instruct you on the proper setup of the boat for in-water measurement. Generally, ORR and IRC require slightly different in-water measurement configurations, but the measurements obtained in one configuration can be computer-corrected for the other configuration by US Sailing.