PHRF
Encyclopedia
Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) is a handicapping
system used for yacht racing
in North America. 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.
PHRF is used mainly for larger sailboats (i.e., 7 meters and above). For dinghy racing
, the Portsmouth yardstick
handicapping system is more likely to be used.
The handicap number assigned to a class of yachts is based on the yacht's speed relative to a theoretical yacht with a rating of 0. A yacht's handicap, or rating, is the number of seconds per mile traveled that the theoretical yacht should be in front of or behind that yacht. Most boats have a positive PHRF rating, but some very fast boats have a negative PHRF rating. If Boat A has a PHRF rating of 15 and Boat B has a rating of 30 and they compete on a 1 mile course, Boat A should finish approximately 15 seconds in front of Boat B. Results are adjusted for handicap by the race committee after all competitors have finished.
If a class of yachts is strongly outperforming their assigned rating, the PHRF committee of a region can adjust the handicap as they see appropriate. Hence PHRF is an observational rule as opposed to the IMS pure measurement rule. This prevents classes of yacht within a region from obtaining mistakenly favorable PHRF ratings and compromising the competitive nature of a fleet. All regions have slightly differing procedures for making changes but all have the same objective - keeping the racing fair for all.
A variant of PHRF racing is called a "pursuit race", where boats start in reverse PHRF order with the starting times staggered based on the PHRF ratings. In theory, all boats will arrive at the finish line at the same time, which can make for an exciting finish. This means that the boats cross the finish line in order of placement in the race.
An assumption that a rated boat is in bristol racing condition with a clean bottom, new sails and an experienced crew. This assumption excludes those with shallow pockets and experience from the winners circle and discourages many boats from racing. In fact the basis for a boats rating is that the boat is well prepped with good sails and competent crew makes it an effective club and local-regional handicapping system.
PHRF tends to be viewed as extremely political since rating values are perceived as very subjective and not based solely on empirical data. It is not an uncommon belief that the PHRF officials strongly influence ratings of their own boats to their favor. In reality, decisions are made based on review of history and when there is a conflict of interest the PHRF official is not part of the decision process.
Design characteristics of boats yield different performance characteristics in various seas and winds. PHRF does not address these differences. The result is that it is not difficult to predict which boats have a better chance of winning based on conditions during a race. This is especially true where design characteristics are extremely different. An example would be a light displacement, planing hull verses a heavy displacement non-planing hull.
Where design characteristics are similar, PHRF is skewed to favor larger boats with longer waterlines.
PHRF Regions of Canada
PHRF Regions of North & Central Eastern United States
PHRF Regions of North Western United States
PHRF Regions of Southern United States
PHRF Regions of South Western United States
PHRF Regions of Western United States
Handicapping
Handicapping, in sport and games, is the practice of assigning advantage through scoring compensation or other advantage given to different contestants to equalize the chances of winning. The word also applies to the various methods by which the advantage is calculated...
system used for yacht racing
Yacht racing
Yacht racing is the sport of competitive yachting.While sailing groups organize the most active and popular competitive yachting, other boating events are also held world-wide: speed motorboat racing; competitive canoeing, kayaking, and rowing; model yachting; and navigational contests Yacht racing...
in North America. 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.
PHRF is used mainly for larger sailboats (i.e., 7 meters and above). For dinghy racing
Dinghy racing
Dinghy racing is the competitive sport of sailing dinghies. Dinghy racing has affected aspects of the modern dinghy, including hull design, sail materials and sailplan, and techniques such as planing and trapezing.-Organisation of dinghy racing:...
, the Portsmouth yardstick
Portsmouth yardstick
The Portsmouth Yardstick or Portsmouth handicap scheme is a system of handicapping used primarily in small-boat yacht racing.The handicap is applied to the time taken to sail any course, and the corrected time can be used to compare widely different sailboats on even terms. Portsmouth Numbers are...
handicapping system is more likely to be used.
The handicap number assigned to a class of yachts is based on the yacht's speed relative to a theoretical yacht with a rating of 0. A yacht's handicap, or rating, is the number of seconds per mile traveled that the theoretical yacht should be in front of or behind that yacht. Most boats have a positive PHRF rating, but some very fast boats have a negative PHRF rating. If Boat A has a PHRF rating of 15 and Boat B has a rating of 30 and they compete on a 1 mile course, Boat A should finish approximately 15 seconds in front of Boat B. Results are adjusted for handicap by the race committee after all competitors have finished.
Local Rules
Each region has its own variation on PHRF rules and ratings, based on local conditions. Here is an example of the Northern California PHRF Base Rating Report SAMPLE, the base rating is listed by boat in alphabetical order. The following is a sample of the Northern California rules for determining PHRF SAMPLE.If a class of yachts is strongly outperforming their assigned rating, the PHRF committee of a region can adjust the handicap as they see appropriate. Hence PHRF is an observational rule as opposed to the IMS pure measurement rule. This prevents classes of yacht within a region from obtaining mistakenly favorable PHRF ratings and compromising the competitive nature of a fleet. All regions have slightly differing procedures for making changes but all have the same objective - keeping the racing fair for all.
Individual Boats
The process of determing the PHRF for an individual boat begins with the regional PHRF rating, then adjustments are made for the individual attributors of the boat such as: modifications to the rig, the size of the largest fore 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). Significant modifications to the mainsail can cause penalties.A variant of PHRF racing is called a "pursuit race", where boats start in reverse PHRF order with the starting times staggered based on the PHRF ratings. In theory, all boats will arrive at the finish line at the same time, which can make for an exciting finish. This means that the boats cross the finish line in order of placement in the race.
Flaws
No rating rule is perfect and all have flaws. Alleged flaws to the PHRF rating system include;An assumption that a rated boat is in bristol racing condition with a clean bottom, new sails and an experienced crew. This assumption excludes those with shallow pockets and experience from the winners circle and discourages many boats from racing. In fact the basis for a boats rating is that the boat is well prepped with good sails and competent crew makes it an effective club and local-regional handicapping system.
PHRF tends to be viewed as extremely political since rating values are perceived as very subjective and not based solely on empirical data. It is not an uncommon belief that the PHRF officials strongly influence ratings of their own boats to their favor. In reality, decisions are made based on review of history and when there is a conflict of interest the PHRF official is not part of the decision process.
Design characteristics of boats yield different performance characteristics in various seas and winds. PHRF does not address these differences. The result is that it is not difficult to predict which boats have a better chance of winning based on conditions during a race. This is especially true where design characteristics are extremely different. An example would be a light displacement, planing hull verses a heavy displacement non-planing hull.
Where design characteristics are similar, PHRF is skewed to favor larger boats with longer waterlines.
See also
- International Rule
- IMS
- IORInternational Offshore RuleThe International Offshore Rule was a measurement rule for racing sailboats. The IOR evolved from the Cruising Club of America rule for racer/cruisers and the Royal Ocean Racing Club rule.-Rule context - past and present rating systems:...
- IRCIRC (Sailing)IRC is a system of handicapping sailboats and yachts for the purpose of racing. It is managed by the Royal Ocean Racing Club in the United Kingdom through their dedicated Rating Office....
- ORCOffshore Racing CongressThe Offshore Racing Congress is an international body for the sport of competitive sailing and is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of rating and classification standards used to define offshore, that is marine as opposed to inland, yacht racing handicap categories.-Ratings and...
- ORR
- Portsmouth yardstickPortsmouth yardstickThe Portsmouth Yardstick or Portsmouth handicap scheme is a system of handicapping used primarily in small-boat yacht racing.The handicap is applied to the time taken to sail any course, and the corrected time can be used to compare widely different sailboats on even terms. Portsmouth Numbers are...
- CSA
External links
- US Sailing's What is PHRF?
- US Sailing's HIGH, LOW, AND AVERAGE PERFORMANCE HANDICAPS ORGANIZED BY CLASS/TYPE
- Many PHRF sites listed on PHRF-NE site
PHRF Regions of Canada
- PHRF of Nova Scotia Yachting Association, Canada
- PHRF of British Columbia, Canada
- PHRF of Lake Ontario (Canadian & US services)
- PHRF of St. Lawrence Valley and adjacent regions (Quebec-Ontario)
PHRF Regions of North & Central Eastern United States
- PHRF of New England
- PHRF of Narragansett Bay
- PHRF of Eastern Connecticut Sailing Association
- PHRF of Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound
- PHRF of Eastern Long Island
- PHRF of Hingham Bay
- PHRF of Mid Atlantic
- PHRF of the Chesapeake Bay
PHRF Regions of North Western United States
- PHRF of Lake Ontario
- PHRF of Lake Erie
- PHRF of Lake Huron
- PHRF of Lake Champlain
- PHRF of Lake Champlain
- PHRF of Lake Michigan
- PHRF of Lake Superior
- PHRF of the Detroit Regional Yacht-Racing Association
PHRF Regions of Southern United States
- PHRF of Southern Atlantic
- PHRF of Lake Lanier
- PHRF of North Carolina
- PHRF of South East Florida
- PHRF of West Florida
PHRF Regions of South Western United States
- PHRF of Gulf Yachting Association
- PHRF of Galveston
- PHRF of South Texas--Click on Results and open Excel Spreadsheet
PHRF Regions of Western United States