Performance Handicap Racing Fleet
PHRF is a handicapping system used in sailboat racing. It allows dissimilar classes of sailboats to be raced against each other. The aim is to cancel out the inherent advantages and disadvantages of each class of boats, so that results reflect crew skill rather than equipment superiority.
The process of determing the PHRF for an individual boat begins with the USSAILING average PHRF rating offshore.ussailing.org/Assets/Offshore/PHRF/High+Low+Mean+PHRF+Handicaps.pdf ,then adjustments are made for the individual attributors of the boat such as: modifications to the rig, the rudder, the size of the largest head sail (jib or genoa), the size of the spinnakers, type of keel (full, fin, wing etc.), the number of blades on the propeller, and the style of the propeller (fixed, folding, feathering).
Below you will find a copy of the ACSA racing manual, it includes PHRF review forms and other good information. The PHRF information form is in the upper right corner.
Alum Creek Sailing Association
PHRF RACING MANUAL
INTRODUCTION
The Alum Creek Sailing Association focuses on building camaraderie among sailors in the racing fleets while offering interesting racing to participants. When sailing on Alum Creek Reservoir, the courses are sometimes shortened. Short course racing helps to build boat handling skills for beginning racers as well as providing challenging wind conditions for experienced racing crews. Using the Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) ratings ensures competitive racing for a wide range of designs. The Phrf Chair reviews handicaps for boats in the fleet to ensure that ratings are consistently applied. This manual describes the procedures and processes used to administer the rules and ensure that we remain focused on providing fun, family oriented racing that is the cornerstone of the Alum Creek Sailing Association. It is the intent of the sailing association to foster recreational racing opportunities for all participants. Questions should be directed to phrfhandicap@alumcreeksailing.com or the Phrf Chair. Remember it is every boat owner’s responsibility to read and understand this manual.
WEATHER ON ALUM CREEK RESERVOIR
Weather on Alum Creek Reservoir can be unpredictable. Severe weather can come up very quickly resulting in gusty and shifty wind conditions. While this is a small body of water, racers are advised to exercise prudent judgment when sailing these waters. Current weather forecasts can be obtained from a number of sources. You can search the Internet for current weather conditions using the 43035 zip code.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1.0 Mailing Address
PHRFChair
P.O. Box 76
Lewis Center, Oh 43035
2.0 How To Obtain Your Phrf
2.1 Obtain a PHRF Information Form (PI-Form) from the PHRF Chair or the Alum Creek Sailing Association website: www.alumcreeksailing.com. Fill in the requested data and send to the PHRF Chair.
2.4 Visiting Boat Owners are eligible to race in Alum Creek racing events by completing the PHRF Information Form.
3.0 Exchange Of Old Boat For New Boat Or Used Boat Newly Acquired
3.1 Make out NEW PI-Form.
3.2 List sail number and name of old boat.
3.3 Send to your PHRF Chair.
4.0 Boats Not Eligible For Phrf
4.1 There are no boats in this category presently.
5.0 RATINGS
5.1 PHRF Ratings are assigned by the PHRF Chair and are based upon the published average PHRF ratings plus any applicable credits or penalties and local area adjustments associated with information provided by the owner on the PI-Form. A member can look up comparable PHRF ratings by searching the internet and/or the US Sailing PHRF Handicap Listings.
5.2 Boats that do not have a PHRF handicap will be assigned a provisional handicap by the PHRF Chair. This provisional handicap may be adjusted during the course of the season by the PHRF Chair, if he deems necessary. Adjustments to an individual boat’s handicap by the PHRF Chair will not constitute a requirement to rescore prior races but will apply to all subsequent races.
6.0 PHILOSOPHIC BASIS OF PHRF RATINGS
6.1 The ratings and rating adjustments are intended to represent the sailboat as it is declared on the PI-Form and are not intended to favor one design over another.
6.2 The aim is to furnish each boat with a rating which fairly represents its racing speed, regardless of age, design or origin. All boats are assumed to be maintained in racing condition.
6.3 All ratings and rating adjustments are known to contain a "probable error" unknown in amount and direction. Whenever evidence indicates a change, corrections will be made so as to reduce the "probable error". These corrections may be made at any time without prior notice.
6.4 Because of "probable error" no rating is ever finally settled and PHRF is always open to new evidence.
6.5 PHRF Handicappers do not actually measure boats but rely on honesty and good will of owners to supply correct information. This works well, but other contestants are urged to protest or contact a Handicapper when violations are discovered.
6.6 If an owner makes a change in a PHRF rated boat, he is obligated to report the change to his Handicapper who will reflect the change in a changed rating.
6.7 Violations will result in adjustments and/or rescoring of the entire season or series.
7.0 SCRATCH SHEETS AND SUPPLEMENTS
7.1 Data from the PI-Forms is used to determine final handicaps and prepare scratch sheets used to score races.
7.2 The Scratch Sheet information is input into the scoring program used by the Vice Commodore and is deemed accurate as of the date of issue of the scratch sheet. The Scratch Sheet shall be posted on the Bulletin Board at the Alum Creek Sailing Association as well as its website.
7.3 If changes are made to a boat’s rating, prior results will not be amended to reflect changes.
8.0 PERFORMANCE HANDICAP RACING FLEET (PHRF) RATINGS
8.1 When possible, PHRF ratings are assigned using the US Sailing PHRF average handicap with adjustments for deviations from the standard hull/standard sail configuration of the boat in question.
8.2 Boats that declare that they do not have a spinnaker shall be assigned the average Non-Spinnaker handicap JAM.
8.3 Boat owners are encouraged to use US Sailing handicap table information to compare their assigned ratings. This is for informational purposes only for the owner to compare their rating to other boats. The Alum Creek sailing Assoc. does not endorse another club’s ratings.
8.4 The PHRF Chair will review actual race data periodically to determine if discrepancies exist for boats handicapped vs. their assigned ratings. If such discrepancies exist, then a boats rating may be adjusted at any time. Large variances in performance will not be considered in this evaluation.
8.5 The base or standard ratings of boats assumes the following:
8.5.1 Spinnaker Pole or Whisker Pole length equal to 110% J. See Appendix E.
8.5.2 Spinnaker Maximum Girth is 180% of J
8.5.3 Spinnaker Maximum Luff is equal to ISP
8.5.4 The largest headsail is 155% or less
8.5.5 The boat is in racing condition
8.6 Adjustments to base handicaps are as follows:
8.6.1 Headsail between 135% or less +3
8.6.2 Headsail between 156% -160% -3
8.6.3 Headsail between 161% - 170% -6
8.6.4 Headsail over 171% -9
8.6.5 Roller Furler Credit +6
8.6.4 Other variations in Rig/Sail Dimensions will be adjusted by the Phrf Chair
8.6.5 Spinnaker (Base Rating) or Non-Spinnaker Handicaps (Jam) will be assigned depending on the information provided on the PI-Form by the owner.
8.6.5.1 An owner may switch from spinnaker to non-spinnaker or vice versa by notifying the race committee and will not affect any races already scored.
8.7 Questions about specific ratings should be directed to the Phrf Chair. The Phrf Chair reserves the right to exercise his judgment in handicapping a specific boat to ensure parity within the Fleets.
All base PHRF ratings below are formulated using the latest US Sailing national data.
Boat Base Ratings before Credits or Deductions
These are not the final ratings.
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18 Square 55
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Seaward 26 248
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Aquarius A 23 282
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Ultimate 20 128
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Beneteau 235 189
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Wavelength 165
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C & C 25 207
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Cal 25 222
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Catalina 22 SK 270
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Catalina 25 SK TM 231
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Catalina 25 FK TM 222
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Catalina 27 IB 207
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Colgate 26 165
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Corsair 28R 18
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Hunter 18.5 275
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Hunter 240 258
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Hunter 25 231
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Hunter 26 219
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Hunter 260 219
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Kenner Kittiwake 23 273
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Kirby 25 174
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Lancer 28 234
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Lockley Newport 23 252
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MacGregor 222 255
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MacGregor 25 234
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MacGregor 26C 222
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MacGregor 26M 228
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MacGregor 26X 228
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Oday 23 243
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Pearson 27 207
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Precision 21 243
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Precision 23 228
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Precision 27 195
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S2 8.0 222
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Schock Santana 22 237
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9.0 APPEALS OF ASSIGNED HANDICAPS
9.1 An owner may appeal their assigned rating if they fill out the Phrf review form available from the Phrf Chair.
9.2 The Phrf Chair will review the information presented by the owner and provide a written response to the owner indicating the ruling. The Phrf Chair’s ruling shall be final as of the date indicated.
9.3 As part of the annual review process, any previous requests will be reviewed against applicable race data to determine if any changes are necessary in subsequent years. These changes shall not apply retroactively to races already scored.
10.0 RELATIONSHIP OF PHRF TO SAILING INSTRUCTIONS
10.1 PHRF entrants must conform to requirements of the Alum Creek Sailing Association.
11.0 MEMBER'S PHRF RATING GRIEVANCES
11.1 A member's first appeal is to the Phrf Chair.
11.2 Unresolved grievances then are referred to a Handicapping Committee assigned by the Phrf Chair .
11.3 If the Handicapping Committee is unable to resolve the problem it is finally referred to the Vice Commodore for a decision.
ACSA PHRF Review and Handicap Rating Review Form
Submit this form and any supporting materials to:
PHRF Chair, ACSA
P.O. Box 76 Lewis Center, Ohio 43035
Sail No: _______________ Boat Name: _______________________________________________________
Owner/Skipper’s Name: ___________________________________ Daytime Ph#: _____________________
Address: _______________________________________________ Evening Ph#: _____________________
Date Submitted: _____________Owner/Skipper’s Email: __________________________________________
Submitted by: _____________________________ Ph#________________ Email______________________
Boat Data:
Boat Design: ______________________________ Current Base Rating: ______ Current Race Rating: _____
Current Penalties and/or Credits: _____________________________________________________________
Requested Base Rating: ___________________ Requested Race Rating: ___________________
Summarize reasons for rating request: _________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
Racing Data:
How many races & where did the boat participate under review in the last two years?____________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
How many races in the last two years did the boat finish… First _______ Second _______ Third_______
How many did the boat finish last in its class in the last two years? ________
If the boat had the requested rating in the last two years, how would it have affected the boat’s top 3 finishes?
________________________________________________________________________________________
Identify the two local boats you feel are the closest in overall speed to the boat under review?
1. ________________________ 2. ________________________
What rating does boat #1 have? _________ Boat #2? _________
Experience of the Person Submitting:
How many years have you sailed? ______ How many years & where have you raced? __________________
What other types of boats have you raced? _____________________________________________________
Describe your performance in other types of boats: _______________________________________________
Other: Describe any additional information you think is relevant and attach copies.