LMYRA PHRF Handbook Lake Murray Yacht Racing Association
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LMYRA LMYRA PHRF Handbook Lake Murray Yacht Racing Association ver.7 6/2/2014 The Rules and Regulation governing PHRF Racing on Lake Murray as determined by the LMYRA PHRF Rating Committee. LMYRA PHRF Handbook Table Of Contents OBJECTIVE ……………………………………………………………………........................ 2 PHRF ........................................................................................................................................... 2 What is PHRF? ………………………….................................................................................................... 2 How it Works …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 2 Standard vs. Modified Boats ……………………………………………………………………………... 2 Is PHRF Fair? ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 5 RATING COMMITTEE …………………. …………………………………………………… 7 RATINGS ……………………………………………………………………………………… 7 Assign A Handicap ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 7 Base Handicap ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 7 Provisional ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8 Assumptions ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8 Adjustments to Base Handicap ………..………………………………………………………………….. 8 LMYRA BASE RATINGS and ADJUSTMENTS ...………………………………………… 10 RATING APPEALS …………………………………………………………………………… 11 Quick Reference ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 11 LMYRA Appeal Process …………………………………………………………………………………. 12 Filing Appeal Procedure ………………………………………………………………………………… 13 SCORING ……………………………………………………………………………………... 14 Time on Distance …………………………………………………………………………………………. 14 Time on Time …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 14 Time on Time (TOT) Calculation..……………………………………………………………………….. 14 Benefits ….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15 Examples ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 16 Definitions/Terms……………………………………………………………………………..... 17 Sailboat Design Ratios …………………………………………………………………………. 18 Common Questions…………………………………………………………………………….. 22 Violating the LMYRA PHRF Rules and Regulations …………………………………………. 24 Questions ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 24 1 Objective The LMYRA PHRF Rating Committee intends to provide fair handicaps in order to ensure the competition is fair and equitable for everyone. To help with this endeavor the Committee will continue to make the handicapping process understandable through on-going communication and education. It is the responsibility of the Owners to notify the Rating Committee in writing, preferably email, immediately of any changes to their yacht configuration. PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) WHAT IS PHRF? Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) is a handicapping system used for yacht racing in North America. PHRF is a locally administered handicapping system that uses the perceived speed potential of a yacht as the basis for the handicap. An initial handicap is assigned based on comparisons with similar yachts. The handicap may then be adjusted based on the performance of the class of the yacht. PHRF allows dissimilar classes of sailboats to be raced against each other. The fundamental goal of PHRF is to provide a handicap system where equally sailed boats of equal preparation can compete equitably over the long term. 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. In most fleets there is no credit for lack of sailing skill or boat preparation. The handicap is based on the yacht being well equipped and well maintained with competent, skilled crew. The PHRF system handicaps yachts, not sailors. If a class of yachts is strongly outperforming their assigned rating, the local PHRF committee 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 an area 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. How PHRF Works? The PHRF system assigns a base handicap to all commonly raced boats. The handicap is expressed in seconds per mile. Adjustments to the base handicap are made to take into account differences in things that affect boat speed, such as larger vs. smaller jibs, spinnaker use vs. non- spinnaker, folding vs. fixed prop, etc. Handicaps are always numbers that are divisible by 3. The faster the boat, the lower the handicap. 2 Standard vs. Modified Boats A Standard Boat is defined as either a Class or Custom boat in top condition with good equipment. This includes: Standard unmodified hull and interior, keel, rudder, and rig and other features specified in the original design and build of a production boat or custom one-of-a kind monohull sailboat. Jib overlap (LP) of 155% of J. Spinnaker pole length (SPL) no longer than J. Spinnaker mid-width (SMW) no greater than 180% of SPL. An engine able to power the boat to hull speed fitted with a retracting outboard engine or for an inboard installation, a folding prop, or feathering prop, or a 2 bladed prop in an aperture. Unless allowed by ‘Class Rules’, boats are required to maintain all accessories and amenities associated with the model in its typical production configuration and shall remain in place as supplied as standard equipment for a boat not to be considered a “Modified Boat” (see below). "Standard Equipment" shall be what the manufacturer supplied as standard equipment. This includes: • Stoves • Heads • Cabinet and locker doors • Drawers • Steps • Cushions • Floorboards • Headliners • Tankage • Engine enclosures • Stowage covers • Anchors • Head and passageway doors • Etc. Floor carpet and removable tables are not required to be on board. A boat that has altered or removed bulkheads, permanently attached furniture or structural interior components shall be considered a “Modified Boat” (see below). Minor fairing of the hull/keel/rudder is permitted to correct unfairness in production molds and to establish original design profiles. Fairing of the trailing edges of the keel/rudder is not considered a modification, provided any chord (fore-aft length) of the keel/rudder is not changed by more than two percent from design/class dimensions. Fairing of through-hull fittings, rudder gudgeons, and propeller struts is also allowed. 3 A Modified Boat is defined as any Non-Standard Boat with modifications that cannot be adjusted using the parameters listed in the Standard Boat section. Examples of this are: • Rig height (I) or (ISP) changes • Boom length (E) changes • Rig cross section/weight changes • Rig staying changes • Sail measurement • Keel/ballast weight changes • Keel/rudder camber changes* • Keel/rudder chord changes* • Keel/rudder depth changes • Interior modifications other than those allowed under “Standard Boat” • Any change in configuration weight or equipment carried (such as a different motor) * Except as permitted in for a “Standard Boat” Those boats identified as a “Modified Boat” are designated with the suffix “MOD” added to the Boat Class Name. Standard Mast is defined as the mast supplied by the manufacturer as standard equipment. Replacement Mast of different staying configuration shall be deemed a “modification” and must be reported. Replacement masts shall conform to the weight and section properties of the original to the extent practicable. If variations in mast height exceed +/- 3% for a particular class of boat, the boat shall be considered to be representative of a different class for handicapping purposes. Except for Keel-Centerboards, all drop keels, centerboards, dagger boards, canards and other movable appendages shall be declared. Lifting of such appendages during racing is strongly discouraged for safety reasons. 4 Is PHRF Fair? Reference: www.PHRF-LO.org This is the bottom line question and the answer is yes or no, depending on your particular philosophy. "Yes", if you can afford or wish to spend enough money to equip your boat as well as the best in the fleet, and, no; if you are racing with equipment that is not as up to date or extensive as your competition and expect to beat them on a one to one basis. PHRF when reviewing handicaps or looking at a handicap for a vessel new to the region, presumes that the hull, running and standing rigging, sails, skipper and crew are all the best available. For example: Two crews race the same type of sloop, a TUB 330. Both boats are in very good condition and are well maintained. The first boat, TUB #1, has a 150% general-purpose Genoa, a 100% jib, a storm jib, a main, and a .6 oz. Spinnaker. All the sails are six years old but are the best a discount sail maker had to offer. TUB #1 has all the standard equipment, which came from the factory including the wheel steering option, which really reduces available room in the cockpit. The owner and crew take pride in TUB #1 and have added a refrigeration unit, a propane stove, and pressurized hot water. Because the owner and crew always want to be seaworthy, they carry spare parts for nearly everything on board and always fill the fuel and water tanks before leaving the dock. The anchor, with 150 feet of all chain rode, is always ready for any emergency in a roller bow chock. The crew of TUB #1 is comprised of an elderly man and his three young grandchildren. The second boat, TUB #2, is equipped with a light Mylar 155% Genoa, a heavy Mylar 155% Genoa, a 135% Genoa, a 100% Mylar/Kevlar main, a staysail, a 0.6 oz., .5 oz., and 1.5 oz. Spinnaker. None of the sails are more than 2 years old. In addition,