Frequently Asked Questions
How do I contact PHRF-LE?
Voice Mail/Fax is 440-933-9917
E-Mail is info@phrf-le.org
Website is http://www.phrf-le.org
Mail address PHRF-LE, PO Box 770109, Cleveland, Ohio 44107
How do I join PHRF?
Obtain an application from PHRF or any measurer. The
initial application fee is $40.00.
Application
How come when I call the PHRF office I can’t talk to
a real person?
PHRF-LE is run by volunteers with a part-time secretary.
Phone calls are answered within 24 hours. The secretary is not
authorized to make handicapping or policy decisions.
When are Renewals mailed?
Renewals are mailed out annually approximately February
15th.
How is the committee organized?
The committee consists of volunteer handicappers
representing a geographically diverse group of racers.
Handicappers are experienced racers who actively participate
in the sport. Area handicappers, although members of
individual clubs, represent the racing community as a whole.
Club measurers perform boat and sail measurement duties and
assist handicappers as needed.
How long does it take to get a rating?
Normally ratings for boats in classes currently in the
database are sent out within 1 week of receipt of a check and
completed/signed measurement form. Discrepancies in boat
measurement and incomplete filling out of the form will delay
the process. If your boat class has not been rated, the chief
handicapper will assign a temporary rating which is valid only
until the next scheduled committee meeting.
Sail number penalties, what’s up with that?
If you have a sail number that duplicates one currently in
the PHRF-LE database, then a 4 sec/mi penalty is assessed on
your certificate. PHRF-LE does not require a US Sailing # only
that it is unique to our database. Check with the PHRF office or your sailmaker
for a unique sail number.
I am always at the back of the pack, how come my rating
doesn’t change?
1/3 of all ratings and all new ratings are reviewed
annually. The ratings are not based on the singular race
record of any individual boat but on the observed performance
differences of a class of boats to the base boat in the 3
rating bands. The base boats are: J-35(69), Tartan 10 (123),
Tartan 30 (168).
Ok, to put it another way, how come it’s always the same
boats winning at my club?
With a one number handicapping system it is difficult to
derive a handicap that is "fair" in all conditions
for dissimilar boats. Variables such as prevailing wind and
wave conditions, boat preparation, sail condition and
inventory, crew experience, helmsmen skill, course distance
and layout all contribute to finish positions. Look at any
competitive one-design fleet and you will see the same people
winning most of the time with the same backmarkers most of the
time.
What is the appeal process
Basically any class of boats can appeal their rating after
10 invitational races or 20 club races but no more than 1 time
in a racing season. Members can also appeal the rating of
their competitors boats. Appellants are asked to fill out the
standard appeal form available from the PHRF office, their
local handicapper, or the PHRF-Le web site. Additional information such as race
results, competitor statements, handicapper statements, rating
comparisons and designer statements are also helpful in the
appeal process. Appeals are accepted from October 1st
to April 1st. Appeals must be in writing and need to be sent
in 30 days before the next PHRF meeting. Any member has the
right to make a personal presentation of his written appeal
provided that he notifies the PHRF office at least 30 days in
advance. Decisions of PHRF-LE can be appealed to the National
PHRF committee through a defined process (Check with PHRF-LE
office for details).
Does PHRF sponsor races?
No, PHRF-LE acts only as a handicapping authority.
Hey, I know my competitor has modified his boat and it
carries the same handicap, how is that?
Unreported modifications are grounds for suspension of a
PHRF certificate. PHRF members should exercise the Corinthian
spirit and report all modifications of their boats. When in
doubt, report. Check with your handicapper on what is
permitted.
My buddy is racing at the club without a PHRF certificate,
how can he have a rating?
Most clubs require valid PHRF certificates for club racing.
It is up to discretion of your club to make sure those racing
have valid certificates. If the race is an invitational race,
then all boats must have a valid certificate or they are
subject to a 10sec/mi unmeasured penalty upon protest.
Hey, I was in a race with Jam boats and Multihulls, do the
corrected times correspond.
JAM ratings are different than PHRF ratings and reflect the
downwind efficiencies of various rig types. JAM ratings do not
correlate to PHRF ratings for overall results. Multihull
ratings are derived from a different base boat than monohull
ratings and in no way correlate to PHRF-LE ratings. PHRF-LE
Multihull is a separate organization and has no affiliation
with PHRF-LE.
What does it cost for a PHRF certificate?
Annual dues are $40.00 with a pre April 15 discount price
of $30.00. Renewals received after June 1st are
$50.00. New ratings are $40.00
Is PHRF-LE solvent?
PHRF-LE maintains reserves equal to or slightly greater
than 1 years operating expenses. Current operating expenses
run between $15-17,000 per year.
How many members are in PHRF-LE ?
The 2007 membership was 631. This number has been relatively
stable for the last 5 years.
I saw USSA’s national PHRF book, the ratings for several
boats are quite different, how come?
All PHRF areas in the US operate autonomously. Various
areas use different handicapping methods including rating race
results and skipper handicapping. Some areas arbitrarily add
20% to the ratings. Some areas do not do any handicapping but
use an average of a class’s ratings in the national book.
Other areas rating reflect prevailing local conditions which
favor various classes of boats.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cruising Credits
What is the intent of the Cruising Class Credits?
To more fairly handicap boats that have roller furling and other cruising configurations.
Can I switch back and forth from cruising credit ratings during the season or from race to race?
The short answer is no. The long answer is that you are entitled to petition the committee to change your designation once during the season. Your new certificate will be issued and will become effective when you receive it. This process can take up to 6 weeks during the racing season.
Can I take the cruising credit for roller furling if my sails are made of
kevlar?
The class rules were revised in 2006 to
grandfather previous Kevlar sails with a credit of 3 seconds per
mile. In the future, kevlar sails will no longer be an
allowed material in order to qualify for the roller furling
credit. The kevlar sails must continue to meet all the
criteria that qualify legal sails under the class rules.
Can I change roller furling sails during a race?
Yes and no. Yes, you can switch from one legal roller furling sail to another at any time during a race. No, you are not entitled to switch to a deck tacked sail, hanked on sail, or sail which does not meet the cruising credit requirements for sail measurement and method of flying.
Do I have to roll up my sail on the furler or can I drop it to the deck?
As long as the sail is capable of being furled and meets all of the other cruising credit requirements, you can raise and lower the sail hooked up to the swivel and drum. This is a common practice when flying the spinnaker. On some boats the roller furling swivel presents a geometry problem in respect to the spinnaker halyard. Raising and lowering the sail is sometimes the only means to avoid fouling the spinnaker halyard on the roller furling swivel.
I have a fixed prop in an aperture, why can't I get the fixed prop credit?
The rule only allows for a credit for fixed props in an exposed strut. Most fixed props in apertures have less exposed surface area than folding/feathering props in struts, hence no credit.
Some of the guys in my club have pretty hot looking roller furling sails, why
a credit?
The PHRF committee took into account the reduced area of a roller furling sail and the increased weight aloft. The big difference is approximately 1-1/2 feet in the luff, considerably less foot roach, and the fact that the center of effort of the roller furling sail is higher causing more heeling. The windward performance of a boat suffers considerably because of these factors. The quick way to tell if a competitors sail meets the measurement rules is to look at the clew height and foot roach. The roller furling sail will have a high clew and the foot roach is generally near the top of the life lines as opposed to sweeping the deck.
I applied for credit for my solid MAX prop, how come I didn't get a credit?
There was some confusion about the designation of a solid prop. A clearer description would have been fixed prop. Your MAX prop is a feathering prop which does not qualify. A solid prop is defined as a prop which the blades are in a fixed position, they do not fold or feather.
|
