Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) help?

[Billy_Mizzen]

Does anybody here have any experience of racing under PHRF and specifically how to find a boat which would rate well. I'm joining a club overseas who uses this system and would really appreciate any advice.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

I sailed for years in Florida under PHRF.

First you only need to consider the boats that are both available and you can afford in the place overseas that you are going to race.

Then post a list of options on Sailing Anarchy and you'll get all the opinions you've ever wanted. And more.

 

[Billy_Mizzen]

Ok, understood!

 

[Birdseye]

Given that the system allows an element of handicap adjustment to reflect actual results ( like NHC except that it carries over to new owners ) it looks like you should aim to buy a fast design that has been sailed badly. Just look to see which designs have been winning, then look for an identical boat that hasnt.

 

[lw395]

Meet the people in the fleet, decide who you want to race against and get the same as them.

 

[Walther]

Does anybody here have any experience of racing under PHRF and specifically how to find a boat which would rate well.

PHRF is an overtly 'political' system, in which handicaps are subjectively established, and semi-regularly changed, by volunteer committees: who may have conflicts of interest, and almost certainly lack relevant professional training. Note too that the same type will have (sometimes very!) different ratings at different locations.

It should be said that PHRF was and is intended for very casual, club-level racing. ORR is the handicapping formula of choice for serious racers (IRC is also used, especially in Canada). And of course there are many opportunities for OD keelboat racing.

 

[Walther]

[P]ost a list of options on Sailing Anarchy and you'll get all the opinions you've ever wanted. And more.

A couple of relevant threads:

Defending an Existing PHRF Rating

PHRF is Not Run by Self-interested Clowns

 

[Nabb]

PHRF is an overtly 'political' system, in which handicaps are subjectively established, and semi-regularly changed, by volunteer committees: who may have conflicts of interest, and almost certainly lack relevant professional training. .

I am just wondering what sort of 'professional training' would be most useful and who might provide it?

 

[lw395]

I am just wondering what sort of 'professional training' would be most useful and who might provide it?

An o level in statistics would be a good start?

 

[Walther]

I am just wondering what sort of 'professional training' would be most useful and who might provide it?

Preferably naval architecture; failing that, any form of applied science.