Dear Competitors,
If you haven’t already, it’s time to apply for your ORC rating certificate.
US Sailing’s application was designed to be completed in sections. An owner can submit an initial application without having all the required measurement data on hand, including final crew weight. The initial application is a high-level overview of the certificate configuration, and season plans. The deadline for the 2026 Bayview Mackinac Race to APPLY for your ORC rating certificate is May 1, 2026.
Once the base application form (either the New Boat Application or 2026 Certificate Application) is complete, you will receive an email with instructions on next steps. These steps will include additional forms that will be used to submit measurement data once collected from sail makers or boat measurers. The deadline for submitting all rating requirements to ORC and ORC Amended Certificates (Test Certs) is June 1, 2026, at 1700 hours EDT.
Please have the correct boat data when completing the information for your ORC rating, including accurate crew weight, all required sail certificates, etc.
If you are re-measuring existing sails or adding a new sail that is replacing a currently reported sail, you will want to select both “Add new, additional, or remeasured sail(s)” and “Remove previously reported sail(s)”. When the field pops up to report which sails to remove, you will input the sail type and sail ID (as listed on your current ORC certificate).
The configuration shown on your certificate is the configuration your boat MUST race in. Remember, we will be enforcing the ORC Minimum crew weights, as well as the Maximum crew weights, for the Racing Monohull and Cruising Divisions.
Per US Sailing, once your certificate is finalized, any changes will incur an amendment fee for re-issuance. If you are considering changes (e.g. new sail, measurement, crew changes, etc.) note this in the comment box on the base application. This will alert the Offshore Office that you may have expected changes, and they should wait before finalizing your rating.
Please apply now! The US Sailing Offshore Office would like to know what is in the pipeline for the season rather than have owners wait to apply once they have all the data. If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email the US Sailing Offshore Office at offshore@ussailing.org.
From the Technical Committee:
New this year: The Organizing Authority will import ORC Certificates directly from the official ORC website as they become available. Owners will no longer be required to add their ORC reference number to their boat record. Please contact the Technical Committee at macktech@byc.com with any questions.
Mica Reardon
Chair, 2026 Bayview Mackinac Race
Bayview Yacht Club