Date: 4/23/2008
Name: Mike #1282
email: mdfoster@esisnet.com
subject:PHRF number
I just finished serving several years on NC-PHRF (North Carolina) and this last year we changed the PHRF number from 252 to 240 but left the One Design number at 252. The 240 number includes a 155% headsail, full hoist spinnaker and no limitation on sail cloth, Mylar, Kevlar etc allowed. The 252 number is based on Class Sails with a 130 headsail. We also had (have) a couple of whiners who said they wouldn't race against SJ21's because they couldn't beat them due to the SJ's rating. Those boats both rated under 160 PHRF and we explained that PHRF really wasn't set up for class splits that large, the difference between 252 and 160. After several years of these boats whining we finally told them to bring us the numbers and show us how they couldn't compete. Damned if they didn't (I hate when that happens). When they brought the stats showing multiple starts and finishes over the course of two years the numbers were clear, they were consistantly being beat by the SJ21. WHile we still believe the PHRF system isn't good at fixing wide separations in PHRF numbers we made the adjustment named above. One of the problems for PHRF is some clubs show their number as OD and some don't. There doesn't seem to be any sensible consistancy in the use of OD. We've always believed that clubs mistakenly use the OD designation in the wrong configuration and that's how US PHRF got to showing such an inconsistant use of OD and PHRF numbers for the SJ21. Hope this is helpful, good luck with your local PHRF Board. I would make one suggestion, respectfully, if you plan on complaining about your PHRF number then file an appeal. But only do that AFTER you've put the numbers together. Without numbers backing up the appeal you'll never win, and still may not. Regards, Mike #1282.
Good information. Thanks, Mike. - Jim
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