Crew Weight and Classification

The 2016 edition of the Offshore Racing Rule (ORR) rating system has been released, which includes guidance on crew weight and classification…

4.02 Crew Weight Limit.
The owner shall be responsible for insuring that the weight of the crew, weighed in light street clothes, on board the yacht for any race does not exceed the Maximum Crew Weight printed on the Rating Certificate and any excess shall automatically suspend validity of the Certificate.

4.03 Crew Limitations on Professionals. (Optional)
For those race organizations that wish to offer events with limitations on the number of professionals
on board while racing, the following option is offered. This paragraph is not in force unless it is specifically included in the Notice of Race by the race organizer.

4.03.1 Competitor Groups. Two competitor Groups shall be defined as set forth in the ISAF (International Sailing Federation) Sailor Classification Code; i.e. Group 1 (amateur), Group 3 (professional). For more information go to: www.sailing.org

4.03.2 Yacht Owners. For the purpose of the regulations below, an Owner is defined as one who, to the satisfaction of the Race Committee, demonstrates at least a one-third partner interest in the ownership of the yacht on which the person competes.

4.03.3 Limitations. Group 3 competitors shall be limited as follows:
a) Including those of Owner status, the number of Group 3 competitors aboard a yacht while racing shall not exceed the limits as given in the table below.
b) Except for Owners and except for emergencies involving the safety of the yacht or crew, Group 3 competitors are prohibited from steering while racing.

For more information on the 2016 edition of ORR… click here.