As of the 18^th of May 2025, all IRC certificates will be issued as 2025 editions. These certificates will become active on the 1^st of June 2025. The Australian Sailing Ratings Hub has been updated and is now accepting 2025 applications.

Yacht owners are encouraged to carefully review their current documentation and ensure all necessary measurements and weights are up to date and accurate. Changes can be made when revalidating. Revalidations or new applications can be made on the IRC page of the Australian Sailing Ratings Hub.

Since the 2024 season Standard Certificates have been an option for IRC. A Standard Certificate is for yachts not wanting to compete in any of the major events around the country. The difference between a Standard Certificate and an Endorsed Certificate is that a yacht does not require audited measurements or weighing with an appointed measurer. A Standard Certificate is available at a discount for any new applications or where the yacht has not held an IRC certificate in the last 5 years.

When applying for a new or revalidating an Endorsed Certificate the yacht will be required to provide acceptable evidence of the current weight where any of the parameters listed below are applicable.

Principles for re-weighing (In the absence of provenance):

• If the boat was weighed overseas and the calibration is not traceable to an approved national standard.
• If the boat hasn’t been weighed for 10 years
• If there is a change of owner and the boat hasn’t been weighed for 5 years
• On the third amendment to the boat’s weight (delta change in weight)
• If the load cell is outside accepted tolerances or not currently within a suitable calibration cycle (max is 2 years)
• If the source of the weight cannot be ascertained 

Where a yacht is required to be re-weighed it is the owner’s responsibility to arrange weighing. Australian Sailing can assist you to complete this task.

IRC Rule changes for 2025 are quite minor and are mainly changes to wording to make the application of the rule clearer. One change of note is that the tolerance for weight has been reduced from 5% for 2%. Changes to the IRC Rule for 2025 can be found here.

Please send any enquiries about ratings and/or certificates to ratings@sailing.org.au

- Chris Zonca