Sailboat Handicapping
Handicapping is an aspect of scoring sailboat races when boats racing
against each other have different potential performances. Its purpose is to
"equalize" the race and promote fairness.
When all the boats in a race are essentially alike -- as in one-design or
level-rated racing -- there’s no need for
handicapping. Boats are scored in the order they complete the course and cross the finish
line.
Handicapping allows boats of different types to race against each other, by giving
slower boats time allowances; the elapsed time to sail the course is adjusted for the
boat’s theoretical or potential speed to produce a “corrected time”, then
the race is scored based on a comparison of corrected times.
Basic Concept
Each boat's time to complete the race course is adjusted to reflect how
long it theoretically "should" have taken. The actual elapsed time is either
multiplied by a factor or times is subtracted for (in some cases, added to)
the elapsed time. The adjusted time is then called a "corrected time" and
the corrected times determine the places.
Handicapping methods:
Three methods of handicapping are commonly used:
Time-on-Distance:
Abbreviated T-o-D. The rating, in seconds per (nautical) mile, is applied to the course distance to determine the
time allowance and corrected time. The rating determines seconds per mile to
subtract from (or add to) the elapsed time. Course distance times the rating
yields the time correction which is subtracted from the elapsed time to get
corrected time. Some ratings are negative numbers (less than zero) and the
correction is added to the elapsed time.
Time-on-time:
Abbreviated T-o-T. The rating is a factor applied to the elapsed time to
determine the corrected time. The rating is a variable in a formula to
determine the time correction factor (abbreviated TCF) which is multiplied by the elapsed
time.
Combination of T-o-D & T-o-T:
Some handicapping systems factor both course distance and elapsed time into the
corrected time calculation. The combination systems are not commonly used in the
SAIL region.
SAIL Region's Systems
In the SAIL region, most organizing authorities use time-on-time (T-o-T) handicapping, because
this approach does not require known course distances and wind speeds tend to vary.
There are two handicapping systems in general use in SAIL:
PHRF – Most monohull
self-righting boats (keelboats)
race under the Performance Handicap Racing Fleet, or PHRF system.(1) A PHRF rating is
a judgment as to the boat’s potential speed by a local committee (2) assuming the
boat is in top race condition and is well-sailed.
A boat is given a rating number (slower
boats have higher numbers) and that number determines the time allowance. The
ratings are, ideally, certified by SAIL’s PHRF committee. SAIL
encourages race committees to arrange for certificates for all events.
PHRF racers should note that PHRF is a class with class rules which also
apply to the racing.
In some cases, ratings are
assigned by local race committees; these do not carry SAIL certification, are not
transportable to other venues, and are not appealable or redressable.
Racers are encouraged to obtain a SAIL PHRF
certificate.
US Sailing supports the National PHRF
Committee, which publishes handicaps assigned by its member organizations.
Portsmouth Yardstick –
Portsmouth ratings are calculated annually and published by the Portsmouth Committee of US
SAILING, based on statistical analysis of actual submitted race results. Again, the higher
the number, the slower the boat. The Portsmouth Yardstick contains factors for various
wind speeds, plus a base D-PN. Although Portsmouth ratings are published for most
types of boats, this system is most commonly used for dinghy and multi-hull fleets. Read
more about Portsmouth here.
Other handicapping systems also exist elsewhere, including MHS, Americap, & MORC,
but they’re not in common use in the region. Measurement costs tend to discourage
Rocky Mountain skippers and scoring complexities dissuade race committees.
Handicapping Formulas:
We include the formulas for clarity about what's happening with the math.
SAIL PHRF T-o-T: CT = ET x TCF, TCF = 715 /
(515 + HC)
- To have Sailwave make the calculations for you, enter the SAIL A & B factors into
your regatta file. The A factor is 715; the B factor is 515.
Portsmouth: CT = ET x 100 / HC
- Sailwave will automatically make the Portsmouth Yardstick calculations.
However, be sure to select the USSA Portsmouth Yardstick, not RYA
Portsmouth in setting up your scoring system.
Where:
- CT = Corrected Time
- ET = Elapsed Time
- TCF = Time Correction Factor
- HC = Handicap Rating number
Notes:
(1) A separate system, like PHRF, exists for multihulls; it's known as "Multihull Rating System" or MHRF.
The ratings are not transferable from one to another. There is no MHRF
system in the SAIL region.
(2) All PHRF ratings are local. They are not transferable outside the area for which they were assigned.
