Sail Numbers

Yachts racing under the Racing Rules of Sailing (ie. any boat racing under any of the rating rules we administer) must hold an approved sail number as prescribed by her national authority. This sail number shall be displayed in accordance with RRS 77, Identification on Sails.

In the UK, sail numbers are issued by the RYA or by the RORC Rating Office. Sail numbers issued by the RYA will have a L, N or X suffix (M for multihulls). Clyde Yacht Clubs’ Association numbers (C suffix) are also approved under RRS Appendix G .

RORC sail numbers issued since 1993 have an R suffix and are available in the range 1000 – 9999 (eg. GBR1234R).  The whole number including the suffix letter must be displayed on the sails and declared for your IRC certificate.

To apply for a standard 4-figure RORC sail number please register with MyIRC if you have not already done so. You then have the option to select and pay for your sail number online, and will get a discount on the sail number fee.

If you experience problems with this please contact the Rating Office.

Current RORC Members may hold a 3-figure sail number, although there are very few of these still available.  Please contact the Rating Office.

To apply for a number through the RYA, see https://www.rya.org.uk/racing/technical/sail-numbers The fee varies depending on your membership; out of sequence numbers can also be obtained – please email technical@rya.org.uk to check availability and for more details.