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By Race Category

Key - description:-

Class: OD :One Design, DD :Deep Drafted, SD :Shoal Drafted, TM :Tall Mast, GC :Gaff Cutter.

Knots: light displacement hull speed.

Keel: f :fin, ff :flared fin, fb :fin ballasted(lowCofG), b :bulb, w :wing, 2k :bilge, 3k :trikeel, s :swing keel, bb :bilge boards, d :drop keel, d. :drop keel mechanically restrained down when racing (also s. fbd. etc), L :long, 2h 3h :multihull (refer to Boat Keels for more detail).

Engine/propeller: non :no engine, ob :outboard, obf :outboard within hull and fixed down, ibf :inboard +furling prop. ib2 :ib +2 fixed bladed prop. ib3 :ib +3 fixed bladed or more.

RaceCat:

  • PofD 3 Day Boat : within 3 miles from a nominated Port/Point(s) of Departure and never more than 3 miles from land, in favourable weather and daylight;
  • PofD 3 Keel Boat : within 3 miles from a nominated Port/Point(s) of Departure and never more than 3 miles from land, in favourable weather and daylight;
  • PofD20.Day : within 20 miles from a nominated Port/Point(s) of Departure in favourable weather and daylight;
  • Sport .PofD 3 .Day. : 'sport boat' race within 3 miles from a nominated Port/Point(s) of Departure and never more than 3 miles from land, in favourable weather and daylight;
  • Sport Off 20 Day. : 'sport boat' race within 20 miles from a safe haven in favourable weather and daylight;
  • Sport Off 20. : 'sport boat' race within 20 miles from a safe haven in favourable weather;
  • Multi Sport and Multi Race : as Sport Off20 Day. other Multi : as PofD20.Day
  • Off 20 Day : within 20 miles from a safe haven in in favourable weather and daylight;
  • Off 20. : within 20 miles from a safe haven;
  • Off 60. : within 60 miles from a safe haven;
  • Off Coast : within 60 miles from a safe haven (with more information then a higher category may be appropriate);
  • Off150. : within 150 miles from a safe haven;
  • T.Ocean : Trans Ocean, unrestricted.
'In favourable weather' often translates to:
  • PofD 3 : in wind Force 4 max,
  • PofD20 : bare poles limit 25knots - so Force 5 max,
  • Off 20 Day : in wind Force 5/6 max,
  • Off 20 : bare poles limit 28knots - so Force 6 max;
  • swell, wave height, visibility, exposure: also race limiting factors

Sport: Race: Race-Cru: Cru-Race to Sedate-Race:
Performance reduces as Motion Comfort increases; within each category similar vessels are listed in order of increasing stability.
May help fleet grouping if multiple race course/starts are possible/appropriate.

The object is not to limit the fun, just to show due prudence

Our 'base class race categorisation' was created to help both skippers and clubs who are nervous about race safety/stability issues at sea, particularly regatta organisors with unfamiliar boat entrants.
RaceCat results are from the 'normally loaded knockdown recovery case' and includes MCA and ISAF regulation/guidance (ie 'knockdown' from downwind/spinnaker broach or 'crash tack hang up', crew on deck and if ob then transom mounted).
The 'race survival mode stability case' with only one person on deck, all other crew below decks, all sails except storm jib stowed below decks, and any ob being secured below decks, may result in an improved categorisation.
Not all the 'special cases' in ISO 12217 are incorporated, hence a race organisor could reasonably permit known boats, or a skipper providing suitable explanatory documentation in good time, to enter a higher Category Race with good race safety cover. Modern boats usually have info concerning 'loaded stability' in their owner's manual, rather than the 'lightweight/minimum crew case' values often quoted.
The skipper/person in charge of the participating cruiser is responsible for loading/provision and positioning of appropriate ISAF OSR Race Category equipment and is therefore ultimately responsible for deciding to race or not, and to reduce sail area or not, despite the class potential in our listing. If stability becomes or is 'in doubt' then the skipper should commission a practical test.

Calculations are based on published/builder/web/owner supplied data. If you have an owner's manual or other publication with CE loading / stability data for your boat(s) then please feel free to contact (ie attach and send pdf or image by email to Boats@ByronSoftware.org) or advise of a web link, it could add your Class to the list or confirm/amend our calculated results. Extra detail can be requested/sent by completing the Cruiser Data form.
 

Data format:-
ClassKnotsKeelEngRaceCat
     
Vessel data can be accessed using the search facility or by selecting the appropriate Race Category link below.
 
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