This is a space for the Rating Office logo. ORC Rating Offices are established worldwide in each country that has active offshore racing. Rating offices have several functions, including supervising the measurement and rating of yachts, supporting ORC racing by administering to their national fleets, and issuing ORC certificates.

For countries where a National Rating Office is not yet established, the central ORC Rating office can give support by issuing certificates.

There are three types of ORC International certificates that may be valid at the same time for any boat: general with full crew, Double Handed, and/or Non-Spinnaker, labeled clearly in this box. These will have their APH, CDL and ratings on Page 2 calculated specifically for that type.

Header on the ORC International Double Handed Certificate

Header on the ORC International Non-Spinnaker Certificate

All-Purpose Handicap (APH) is an average representation of all time allowances in all wind speeds and wind directions. It is also used as single number Time on Distance Rating. It may be used for simple comparisons between boats and possible class divisions.

Class Division Length (CDL) is the average of the effective sailing length (IMS L) and the rated length (RL) that is calculated from the upwind speed of the boat in a True Wind Speed of 12 knots. It is used for class divisions as a combination of the boat’s upwind speed and length.

Boat description data includes Class, Designer and Builder as well as Age and Series Dates

Age Date is the month and year of the first launching, while Series Date is the Age Date of the earliest boat of an unmodified series built in production moulds or jigs.

Hull data includes the boat's primary characteristics while in measurement trim: Length overall, Maximum Beam, Draft and Displacement. as well as Displacement to Length Ratio (DLR).

IMS Division (Performance or Cruiser/Racer) is defined by IMS Appendix 1 where Cruiser/Racers are boats designed for cruising and are equipped with accommodation layouts at least comparable to the standards of series production boats. Boats not meeting these requirements are categorized in the Performance division. For boats complying with the ORC Sportboat Class Rules, IMS Dvision is defined here as Sportboat.

Propeller data includes propeller installation (in aperture, strut drive or shaft) and type of propeller (solid, folding or feathering) followed by propeller diameter.

CREW, an important factor affecting the boat's performance, is considered in the VPP rating calculations.

The weight of all crew members on board while racing may have a Declared value specified by the owner, but if not declared a Default figure is calculated and listed on the certificate.

The crew shall not be heavier than the Maximum value recorded on the certificate. And if the Notice of Race or Sailing Instructions specify, then the crew weight shall not be less than the Minimum shown on the certificate.

Measured and rated sail areas are shown for the largest sails of each type recorded. Mainsail rated area will be increase from its measured value for the size of the roach and possible effect on the limit values of boom and mast diameters.

Headsails and spinnaker rated areas may be increased from the measured one when the measured area is smaller than respective minimum rated areas

The maximum number of sails allowed on board while racing according to the CDL. Headsails include those set on the forestay and headsails set flying. Spinnakers include: symmetric and asymmetric.

As only one mainsail is allowed regardless of a boat's rating, it is not listed here.

Additional information is also provided such as that all sails are made of woven polyester.

When there are both symmetric and asymmetric spinnaker in the sail configuration, use of asymmetric spinnaker on the bowsprit only may be declared and relavnt note is shown here specifing if asymmetric spinnaker may be tacked on pole or not. Furthermore, presence of spinnaker pole in non-spinnaker configuration is shown here.

The rated righting moment is shown here followed by Stability Index for boats with measured stability.

The owner and any other person in charge is responsible that boat is complying with her certificate in accordance with RRS 78.1 and ORC Rule 304.

• The rig configuration details vary with the input. Thus, the spreaders diagrammed match the spreader count, the standing rigging matches adjustable stays recorded, an inner forestay is shown if recorded and split rigs are shown with a mizzen together with appropriate dimensions.
• A bow sprit is shown if the headsail or asymmetric spinnaker can be tacked forward of the stem.
• The transom geometry will represent the actual boat's transom in various types that vary from the default reverse transom to options that have an outboard rudder.
• Asymmetrical spinnakers are shown according to the type declared for the yacht; i.e., the type which the rule requires to be tacked on the yacht’s centerline (with no pole aboard) or else an asymmetrical which may be tacked on a spinnaker pole.
• Measured sail areas are printed for the largest of each sail type.
• A cruising-type main with in-mast furler/reefer and/or a headsail furler/reefer is displayed if fitted.

ORC Reference number is a unique number identifying that certificate and may be retrieved in the ORC database available at the ORC Sailor Services.

There is an issue date as well as a VPP version used together with the latest date for the validity of the certificate.  

A boat shall have only one valid certificate at any one time. The valid certificate is the last one issued.

ORC Certificates are valid for one year. This is because the VPP software calculations are updated yearly based on the ITC’s latest research of aero and hydrodynamics, as well as improvements made from analysis of race results and boat performance during the racing season, and submissions made from ORC Nominating Bodies.

One of main advantages of the ORC Rating Systems is variety of scoring options which can be selected locally based on expected wind conditions, type of racing or fleet composition.

Simple scoring options includes: Time On Distance and Time on Time as well as Triple number, set of three different Time On Distance or Time On Time coefficients for different wind strengths.

Scoring options are explained in more details in Scoring section.

Scoring options are explained in more detail in the Scoring section.

Ocean for PCS is a composite course, the content of which varies from 45% Beat VMG and 55% Run VMG at the 6 knots with decrease of Beat and Run parts and increase of reaching parts with increase of the wind speeds;

Non Spinnaker is a circular random course type (see above) but calculated without the use of a spinnaker or any headsail set flying. 

Special scoring options are available in Time on Distance and Time on Time coefficients for Double Handed and Non-Spinnaker configurations.

Double handed ratings are calculated for a crew weight of 170 kg, and Non-Spinnaker ratings are shown for offshore races for which Performance Line coefficients are also given.

Double handed ratings are shown on the certificate when this option is selected by the Rating Office. The Rating Office may also produce a separate Double handed certificate where differences can be found in rig and sail measurements, not just crew weight, for the same boat.

Scoring options are explained in more detail in the Scoring section.

Class Division Length (CDL) is the average of the effective sailing length (IMS L) and the rated length (RL) that is calculated from the upwind speed of the boat in a True Wind Speed of 12 knots. It is used for class divisions as a combination of the boat’s upwind speed and length.

Maximum area for storm sails as required by the WS Offshore Special Regulations: Heavy Weather Jib, Storm Jib and Storm Trysail.