EZ RACING RULE
The VPP Rule Accessible and Fair to All Racers
EZ Racing Rule Explained
Sailors and race organizers across the country are turning to the EZ Racing Rule (previously ORR-Ez) for fair, science-based ratings that cater to fleets with widely varied boat designs on diverse courses and conditions. From windward-leeward day races to 'around-the-island' and coastal races, EZ is designed for those who believe that modern rating rules should be based on sophisticated algorithms.
Fully customizable for assorted racecourse configurations, EZ adjusts for boats that excel in different conditions—whether they’re fastest upwind, downwind, or reaching. This adaptability ensures fair competition without the complexity of high-level rating systems, making EZ ideal for casual weeknight regattas and local events alike.
The EZ Racing Rule is extremely versatile. Depending on the scoring method used, EZ can be as simple as legacy PHRF or as complex as the latest forecast-based systems. Fleets and organizers can easily tailor the rule to their needs.
Got questions? See the FAQ below or connect with your nearest EZ representative for more details.
A unique feature that sets EZ apart
EZ recognizes that there are limitations to a VPP-based system that is not fully measured. Assumptions must be made to fill-in certain blanks and the VPP cannot always get it exactly right. To address these gaps, EZ has a unique provision to tweak the ratings with an applied adjustment factor. No other VPP-based system has this type of tool at its disposal.
Each boat, when rated, is screened for general alignment with performance expectations. Boats that fall outside of a certain threshold are further examined in more detail. These reviews are handled on a national level so that they do not reflect local conditions or crew skill.
Apply or Manage an EZ Certificate
To apply for a new or manage an existing certificate, including renewals, changes, and ownership transfers, visit our certificate portal. Also, Trial Certificates are available to study how a sail change or other modification will impact a boat's rating.
EZ Valid Certificate List
This is the current list of all valid EZ Rating Certificates. Certificate lists from past years are also available.
Stock templates are also available for popular One Designs that race in their OD class configurations.
EZ Rule Book
The EZ Rule Book is the definitive resource for measurement criteria, rule restrictions, ratings, and the requirements for competing under EZ.
EZ Performance Packages
Our Performance Packages provide competitive racers with the tools to maximize their performance on the water.
These are practical guides keep you sailing at the optimum speed and angles to outsmart your competitors.
A valid certificate is required to obtain a performance package.
EZ Resources for Organizers
At the Offshore Racing Association, we’re committed to helping race committees fully leverage the features and benefits of the ORR Rules. Our goal is to help reduce stress and ensure a fair and enjoyable event for all competitors by offering services and resources.
Our team can advise you on selecting the best rating based on wind speed, course setup, or custom classes but we have also created a suite of tools to help get you started.
Organizing Authority Resources
ORA is here to support everything from understanding the basics of the rules to creating class breaks, trophy lists, and scratch sheets.
EZ Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? Find our most commonly asked questions below.
How much does it cost to get rated?
- $100 to get rated for the first year and $80 annual renewal after that (with a two year grace period to renew). All certificates expire after December 31st of each year.
- Mid-season changes are $50.
- Qualifying One Designs can get a discounted OD certificate for $35, but they cannot customize their boats.
- Alterations to the hull or appendages incur an additional $50 fee. This fee also applies to new certificates for boats without an existing hull offsets file in our database (a $400 value!). Most production boats have an offsets file on record.
- Short-Handed certificates can be added to standard (not OD) certificates for $35. Short-Handed certificates are not available in all regions.
While price is always a concern, EZ remains the cheapest thing your boat needs to go racing!
Can I get an EZ rating for a multihull?
Unfortunately, EZ cannot currently rate multihulls. This has been a frequent topic of discussion and the prospects look good for adding multihulls to EZ in the future. Stay tuned!
Do boats have to be weighed and measured?
The short answer is no. EZ relies on owner-supplied data that generally aligns with what is required by PHRF. To fill in the blanks, EZ draws from a large database of sisterships for critical data such as hull shape, displacement and rig measurements. However, in practice, if a boat has a certified displacement, we can and would certainly use that data.
Do sails have to be measured?
We strongly encourage owners to measure their sails. Default sail data can be used, but it's based on the largest sails that will fit on your rig. It’s almost always to your advantage to have your sails measured.
Must changes to a stock boat be reported by the owner?
Like any rule, modifications to a stock boat must be reported by the owner on the certificate application for proper rating. Unreported modifications may be protested by competitors or race committees under RRS 78.1.
What else does an owner/applicant have to declare?
EZ has several declared parameters that affect the ratings. Perhaps most notable is the crew weight. Rather than assign or assume a crew weight, each owner may declare a crew weight to align with how they like to sail their boat. Alternatively, there is a default crew weight available for each boat based on various parameters.
Can I appeal my boat’s rating?
Yes, you can! However, appeals are not intended to be a regular part of the rating process and there must be supporting data. If an owner feels there is truly an error in their ratings, the EZ Technical Committee will thoroughly review the source data for inaccuracies. A review fee of up to $200 may be charged for this process.
We acknowledge that EZ is not always perfect (no system is!) and if, after study, a particular design is determined to be rated inaccurately, adjustments can be made to bring it in-line. This is a unique feature of EZ compared to other VPP-based systems, which have no such mechanism for correction.
What is the PHRF Benchmark rating?
The PHRF Benchmark is a single number rating specifically designed to simulate the US PHRF rating. It has the same blend as the IR# rating: one third each of upwind, downwind and reaching, in a 50/50 mix of 10 and 12 knots of wind. It is 'zeroed' to the OD Farr 40, which has a PHRF Benchmark of 0.0.
PHRF Benchmark = IR# rating - OD Farr 40 IR# rating
The other EZ PHRF ratings begin to add mulitple course options and multiple wind options. These ratings are effectively an 'on ramp' to standard EZ ratings for those unfamiliar with VPP-based systems.
What if none of the Standard courses match my racecourse?
The goal of the standard ratings is not 100% accuracy, but rather to get the ratings into the right ballpark or 'best fit' to account for the broad differences in race course designs. Choose whichever course most closely aligns with your racecourse.
At a more advanced level, EZ can be used to create custom courses and wind profiles that can greatly increase the accuracy.