Superyachts

Overview

Since its introduction in 2014, the ORC Super Yacht Rule (ORCsy) has grown in popularity in response to use of a VPP-based system that is fully transparent, responsive to its users and measurement-based. ORC has created this system with the cooperation of the world’s leading organizer of SuperYacht events, the Super Yacht Racing Association (SYRA). The project was developed during 2014 and 2015 and includes the collection of all information related to yachts intending to participate in SuperYacht regattas around the world.

ORC has also created this website dedicated to making available all the needed information, rules, guidelines and forms related to the ORCsy system. This includes the following:

• How to get log-in access to the ORCsy section of the website
• The application process explaining how to get an ORCsy certificate
• Detailed explanation of the parts of the ORCsy certificate
• Description of Corinthian Spirit Class Certificates
• Section for certificate payment
• How to purchase the ORCsy DVP for Designers, Builders, Project Managers, etc.

Since 2014 the ORCsy technical staff has been able to create and manage the largest measurement database ever for these kinds of yachts, reaching now a total of about 300 Super Yachts receiving certificates with more expected in the next year. There is an enormous variety of yachts in this database, ranging from old style schooners to modern sloops, traditional ketches, etc., with displacements up to 1300 tons and lengths up to 90 meters.

Accurate measurements are therefore a key factor in the success of this system: the more accurate the data the more accurate the ratings of the yacht.

When this system started there were few measurements available and data was provided by Super Yacht Captains or Managers, and made also available through the cooperation of designers, sailmakers, builders and suppliers to these magnificent yachts.

However, as more yachts have been measured it has become apparent that much of this declared data has been far from accurate. Therefore both SYRA and ORC have been encouraging all racing Super Yachts to get measured as soon as practical to ensure accuracy and fairness for all participants.

To encourage this policy, Super Yacht programs are reminded that the ORCsy VPP will feature more significant rating adjustment (approximately 0.5% across all wind ranges) for those yachts that are unmeasured after their first year of racing. This adjustment will be noted on ORCSY certificates.

There are two steps to measuring – out-of-water hull scanning to capture offset files and then the flotation and inclining procedure while in the water. To date, more than half of the superyachts were fully measured, with many partially measured or scheduled to be fully-measured soon.

As ORCsy certificates are issued, they are loaded into a database managed by ORC and accessible through the ORCsy Sailor Service web portal (available on the top right hand side of the ORC home page). On this site there is also information on how to apply for an ORCsy certificate. Sources of data to complete an application for rating include the yacht’s stability booklet, 3D drawings of the hull, or, ideally, the yacht’s offset file, and any other supporting materials, including the deck plan, GA, tanks plan and sailplan drawings, etc., as clearly listed at the “On-Line Application” page.

Also on this site designers and technical advisors can also purchase the latest version of the ORCsy VPP for testing, while other users can run test certificates on their own using the online portal. More details on the ORCsy Rule are described in the other chapters of this ORCsy website.

ORC Sailor Services for Superyachts

This service offered by the ORC to give boat owners, skippers, project managers and other interested parties such as measurers, race organizers and sailmakers an opportunity to do the following

• Search in the on-line ORC certificate and boats database to access any Superyacht certificate issued by ORC. Open the Search for Certificates page from the link on the left menu, select Super Yachts in the Country drop-down menu, enter the Yacht Name, and Search. (Without a name entry the search will yield the complete list of ORC Superyachts.)
• Choose the Yacht Name from the list by clicking the (+) button, which adds the measurement data for this boat to your My Boats folder, or simply click Get a Copy! to receive by email a copy of the existing certificate for this boat.
• The "My Boats” folder is a personalized list of the certificate data of boats you have chosen to be reviewed and edited as needed by you to run test certificates.
• You may acquire an ORC Superyacht Test certificate calculated by the ORC Superyacht VPP software using either existing measurement data of the certificate, or by changing some measurements at will and as may be appropriate. This feature is accessible from the My Boats folder.*
• Check out the new rating of the boat each year, since this service always uses the latest version of the ORC Superyacht VPP.**

* Note that this service does not have all the functions possible through the Rating Office, such as changes to the offset file or righting moment measurements. It is intended to allow the user to research simple changes to sails or other parameters, and to gain access to boat certificates in the ORC database. For all other services contact the ORC Rating Office.

** It is possible, particularly early in the calendar year, that there will be multiple VPP releases to include improvements and fixes made by the ORC programmers. These new releases may imply changes to the ratings of boats, thus affecting the test certificates. The VPP version used to generate the test certificate is listed on the the certificate. The test certificates calculated using the VPP being replaced will be automatically recalculated by the system with the new VPP, but you should make sure to download them again.

The various services are offered using a credit-based accounting system. Currently, ORC Superyacht test certificates cost 200 credits each. The certificate copies are offered for free. You may purchase credits using the paypal service. Special prices are available for large credit purchases. Contact the ORC Tech Team for any question regarding this website.

Access to the ORC Sailors Services for Superyacht is granted to all ORCsy certificate holders who will receive by e-mail credentials to log in by entering username and password on the right.