Evening Lecture - 9th March. IOR yachts: the link between rating and performance

Published 12:58 on 17 Feb 2017

HRSC is happy to welcome Dr Stephen Boyd from the University of Southampton for an evening lecture on the 9th of March about IOR yachts. The bar will be open from 18.30 and the lecture will start at 19.00.

We have a limited number of spaces for this event, please contact the office to book your space or book online.

Abstract
The International Offshore Rule (IOR) provided a handicap system for racing yachts in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. It was accepted worldwide and many of the famous yacht designers of today made their name in the high profile events that took place under this rule. There is a large body of commentary and opinion regarding yachts of this era, in which the rule allowed the naval architect to explore the design space in search of yachts that rated lower than their size. However, the link between rating and performance is a question that has not really been fully analysed. This research project explores the method of obtaining performance data for IOR One Ton yachts and the comparison between the way the rating was established and the way the yachts were sailed. The results show that in the proposed sailing trim, the yachts would not have rated to class. This project is ongoing and new data provides new insight. It is hoped that the performance of yachts through the era can be explored and the design choices of the designers examined.

Speaker
Dr Stephen Boyd is an Associate Professor at the University of Southampton, lecturing on the Maritime Engineering and Ship Science degree programmes. He grew up sailing IOR quarter tonners on the south coast of Ireland before moving to larger classes for further offshore experience. It was at a tender age that Stephen decided that Yacht Design and Naval Architecture was the career for him. He studied Naval Architecture at Newcastle University in the 1990s before moving to Glasgow University in 1999 and Southampton in 2001. Although his career aspirations of being a yacht design might have faded, his research explores the potential performance benefits in the clever use of composite materials in the maritime environment, including hydrofoils. His love of the IOR has never gone away!

Last updated 10:20 on 9 April 2025