Matt Colie wrote:
I have a great deal of experience with several PHRF groups. Yes, the
initial PHRF rating is assigned to be a best guess based on similar
boats and it expected to be performance based on a well campaigned boat
that is properly setup and has a good crew.


Right, the PHRF rating is supposed to be based on a
well-tuned boat, with a crew good enough to win at least
local one-design champs.

The PHRF committees I have had dealings with have always done their best
to be fair.

Somewhat agreed, the PHRF rating sturcture is a good-ol'-boy
network. For the most part, they don't set out to
deliberately screw over some competitors. OTOH most of them
also approach their job with an idea of who the winners
"ought" to be.

.... All PHRF committees have an appeal protocol. But, do not
go to them just to complain. If you go there, go armed with data. (Case
stories omitted for brevity.) Know before you go; does anybody any
where sail this boat to the same rating you are assigned?


A rating appeal is like any other protest- you should
appproach it seriously and with all homework done.

There is no way a PHRF committee could rate boats so those that were not
well tuned and sailed with a less than good crew could be accommodated.
Yes, some boats ratings are unfair both ways and I could cite
examples of both easily.


Most sportsboats have an unfair rating in most conditions.
However, this is the nature of the beast, when the boat is
blazing fast under some conditions, that must be averaged in
with it's performance the rest of the time.


If you want to be competitive:
First - sign up a dedicated crew of at least one man per ton (minimum 3
for spinnaker classes and one less of non-spin).
Second - make sure that the mast is over the boat and straight at the dock.
Third - have two full crew tune up days:
- one for the rig (is the mast straight on both boards and is the
prebend correct.
- one for the crew (does each man know his job, is your weight
distribution good).
Fourth - do your homework:
- make sure that all the race information is in an easily handled form.
- have all the race marks loaded as waypoints (it may be
advantageous to route the race).
Fifth - you can't be skipper and crewchief(coach) and helmsman and
tactician:
- the skipper calls the shots.
- the crewchief organizes maneuvers and assigns the crew to tasks as
required.
- the helmsman has to have no other responsibilities
- the tactician must understand what and where any information is
and what the boat can do.

Good Luck

I would also say
-get excess dead weight off the boat
-scrupulously clean the bottom
-practice basic maneuvers so that you don't lose boatlengths
on every tack, set, gybe, & douse.

Most PHRF boats are laughably poorly sailed... bad starts,
slow & low upwind, missing shifts, making abysmal tacks,
taking forever to get the spinnaker set, etc etc. Often the
guys whining about their rating are the ones carrying a
lawnmower in their lazarette, and letting the genoa flap for
ten minutes after every tack.

OTOH it is a fun social event and a lot more people can play.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King