IRC Adjustable Mast Foot and Forestay update

by IRC Technical Committee on 6 Nov 2013 The IRC Technical Committee has reviewed its decision earlier this year to amend the treatment of Adjustable Mast Foot and/or Forestay as announced by IRC Notice 2013/02, Adjustable Mast Foot and Forestay, 2014.

As a result, IRC Notice 2013/02, Adjustable Mast Foot and Forestay, 2014, is withdrawn and replaced by the following.

1. The text of IRC Rule 21.1.6 (b) will remain unchanged for 2014.

2. Boats will therefore retain the right to declare that they will not use while racing any systems capable of adjusting the mast foot and/or the forestay.

3. The rating adjustment will be reduced to approximately 50% of the current level and will in future be linked to the type of boat.

4. A boat with equipment capable of adjusting both the mast foot and the forestay will be rated higher than a boat capable of adjusting just one of these.

5. For guidance purposes only, the 2014 levels of adjustment will be of the order of:

Boat                               Either mast foot or forestay adjustable  Both mast foot and forestay adjustable
Typical cruiser/racer                            +0.001                                       +0.002
52' racing boat                                    +0.002                                       +0.003
70' racing boat                                    +0.003                                       +0.004

6. The IRC Technical Committee considers that if a boat declares it will not adjust the mast foot or forestay while racing, but then actually does so, this would be committing a gross breach of a rule. Any such instances would be reported to the boat's MNA requesting action under RRS 69.

To download a PDF version of this Notice, please click here