Racing Rules: IRC sailing rules

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IRC sailing rules

Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: General
Forum Name: Racing Rules
Forum Discription: Discuss the rules and your interpretations here
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4196
Printed Date: 26 Jun 25 at 3:01am
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Topic: IRC sailing rules

Posted By: RobC
Subject: IRC sailing rules
Date Posted: 18 May 08 at 7:37pm

Is there a rule governing the use of a headsail along with a spinnaker, i.e. sailing with three sails, except fo the purpose of a sail change?

Replies:

Posted By: Spyderman
Date Posted: 19 May 08 at 4:04am

RRS has a few rules about sails:
50.1 Changing Sails
When headsails or spinnakers are being changed, a replacing sail may be fully set and trimmed before the replaced sail is lowered. However, only one mainsail and, except when changing, only one spinnaker shall be carried set at a time.

50.2 Spinnaker Poles; Whisker Poles
Only one spinnaker pole or whisker pole shall be used at a time except when gybing. When in use, it shall be attached to the foremost mast.

etc.

You may set three sails, there's no rule stating that you have to lower your headsail when you set your Spi.

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Are you interested in the Racing Rules of Sailing? Go to: http://rrsstudy.blogspot.com - http://rrsstudy.blogspot.com

Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 19 May 08 at 7:24am

Originally posted by RobC

Is there a rule governing the use of a headsail along with a spinnaker, i.e. sailing with three sails, except fo the purpose of a sail change?

No. We used to do this on a small IRC boat when using the jib in a breeze, since it avoided the weight of the bowman on the bow during the douse. However genoa+spinnaker = slow.

Posted By: RobC
Date Posted: 19 May 08 at 10:11am

Yes/no? - the above echos the discussion on our boat during our last race when a competitor was flying 3 sails on a long down wind - as the tactican it was my understanding that it was illegal under IRC rules, as per spydermans comments, & I agree that it would adversely affect out own performance but may affect a protest decisions.

Posted By: Stefan Lloyd
Date Posted: 19 May 08 at 11:59am

Spyderman said "You may set three sails, there's no rule stating that you have to lower your headsail when you set your Spi." and I said the same. RRS allows it and there is nothing in IRC that overrides that.

IRC rules may be found http://rorcrating.com/ir2000/irc/2008/IRC2008_Rule_Final_71026.pdf - http://rorcrating.com/ir2000/irc/2008/IRC2008_Rule_Final_710 26.pdf should you wish to read them yourself. Rule 26.3 is the relevant section.