How much does a current Certificate Cost?
If you are a member of S.A.I.L., all of your PHRF certificates are free.
If you are not a member of S.A.I.L. then each certificate will cost you $30.00.
Who owns PHRF?
United States Sailing Association sanctions regional authorities to administer the national rule and develop regional by-laws.
Why did it start?
Loosely based on the “Arbitrary Fleet” of the West Coast of the 1940’s, PHRF emerged in the early 1980’s as an empirically based handicapping system to give sailors easier access to a handicap than afforded by measurement rules.
How it works
PHRF handicaps are assigned by individuals or committees associated with specific fleets. Handicaps are assigned to a given production class considering predominant local conditions and the handicapper’s experience in handicapping similar boats. These ratings are based on observed performance and any requisite adjustments generally become evident after 5-10 races have been sailed. Scoring options include Time-on-Distance or Time-on-Time. (We use Time-on-Time in the SAIL area)
What is a PHRF Rating?
Base PHRF Certification Process: A base PHRF rating will be assigned to each yacht in the PHRF and documented OA the PHRF certificate. The base rating will be determined by the PHRF committee using all pertinent information available such as other similar yachts previously certified, ratings of yachts with similar characteristics, statistical performance parameters, ratings from other PHRF regions, and guidelines specified within the national PHRF handbook. A rating certificate will be issued upon receipt of a completed PHRF certificate request form available from any PHRF member. It will be the responsibility of the yacht to produce information outside of the availability of the PHRF committee. It is also the responsibility of the rated yacht to provide all pertinent information to the PHRF committee before the committee issues a certificate. Any information excluded or withheld may result in the revocation of the rating certificate. Any changes to a yacht’s design, equipment or sails will require notification to the PHRF committee before the next event.
The Base PHRF Rating will assume:
The yacht is of single hull and self-righting.
.. The yacht is a Standard Class Yacht in racing condition.
.. The yacht is as manufactured with its interior as designed by the manufacturer intact.
.. All rigging and attached original equipment is placed as designed by the manufacturer and unmodified.
.. The yacht complies with all PHRF Rules.
.. All sails comply with the manufacturers or One-Design measurements.
.. The yacht is equipped with adequate ground tackle and all safety equipment required by local and national authority.
.. The yacht has alternative (non-sailing) propulsion and fuel capable of 90% hull speed for one hour of operation.
.. The yacht is employing all allowable equipment available under PHRF rules.
Any deviation of the above assumptions must be submitted to the committee and adjusted in the Adjustments to Base PHRF section of the rating certificate.
Adjustments to Base PHRF Rating:
Adjustments to the Base PHRF rating will be assessed and documented in the Adjustments to Base PHRF section of the rating certificate. Adjustments will be made per the guidelines documented in the national PHRF handbook or in the event the handbook does not address the adjustment, through a process identified by the PHRF committee. Adjustments made due to deviation to the PHRF rules will also be made in this section.
Standard Adjustments to base rating:
Minus 3 if largest LP (longest perpendicular of jibs) is >156% and <=165% of J (horizontal distance between the front side of the mast and the intersection of the forestay with the deck).
Minus 3 if whisker pole length in excess of J.
Minus 6 if largest LP is >166% of J.
Minus 6 if SMW (spinnaker maximum width) or “G” on diagram is over 180% of J.
Minus 6 if SPL(spinnaker pole length) is longer than J + 0.1 feet.
Minus 6 if SML (spinnaker maximum luff) is >95% of jib stay length.
Minus 9 if no motor on board.
Minus 6 for an engine and propeller not capable of 90% hull speed. (Hull Speed determined as 1.2
* (LWL) ^ 0.5 where LWL = waterline length.)
Minus 3 for each additional 3% of MH (mast height) in excess of standard.
Minus 3 for each 5% of MH over standard spinnaker attachment height.
Minus 3 for roller fuller.
Plus 3 if the largest LP on board is less than 130%of J.
Plus 3 if yacht has a solid propeller locked while racing.
Plus 12 if yacht has no spinnaker on board.