INTENT: To group similarly equipped and prepared boats into classes based upon objective measures. As the number of entries allows, the organizing authority may divide the ORC Cruisers into classes based on ORC data.
The rules for sailing in ORC may be found here:
https://orc.org/rules/ORC%20Rating%20Systems%202022.pdf
The rules (link above) are modified by ORC of the Chesapeake as stated below:
A) ORC CERTIFICATE - Valid ORC Club, ORCi, or ORC Non-Spinnaker certificate must classify yacht as an IMS Cruiser/Racer.
B) ORC DYNAMIC ALLOWANCE - Valid ORC certificate MUST specify a value for Dynamic Allowance of 0.230% or greater.
Dynamic Allowance (DA) is a rating credit representing the dynamic behavior of a boat taking into account performance in unsteady states (i.e. while tacking) calculated on the basis of: Upwind Sail Area/Volume ratio, Upwind Sail Area/Wetted Surface ratio, Downwind Sail Area/Volume ratio, Downwind Sail Area/Wetted Surface ratio and Length/Volume ratio.
C) HEADSAILS - A maximum of one headsail with area greater than 90% of the foretriangle area may be flown each race. There are no restrictions on the use of headsails which are smaller than 90% of the foretriangle area. The full length of the luff of all headsails must be secured or fastened to the forestay or inner forestay. No more than one headsail may be flown at a time.
Example: spinnaker staysails and headsails set flying are not permitted.
D) SPINNAKERS - A maximum of one spinnaker may be flown each race. Spinnaker maximum girth must be greater than 85% of the length of the foot of the sail.
Example: Code Zero sails are not permitted.
E) YOUTH SAILORS - For races sailed entirely inside of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, any crew member who has not yet reached their 14th birthday shall not be counted toward the yacht's permitted crew weight total as stated on the ORC certificate.
F) PROFESSIONAL SAILORS - A maximum of one (1) Category 3 sailor may be onboard who may not steer unless they are the owner of the boat or a threatening emergency arises.
G) OWNER’S DECLARATION - Owner/skipper must affirm that all configuration requirements have been met and the boat will be sailed in compliance with the boat’s valid ORC certificate.
