The information below is intended to give a brief overview of the boat rating process.  It should not be taken as gospel truth.  Please refer to the latest Rules and Bylaws in particular Sections 2 and 3 for detailed up-to-date information on the boat rating process.

From the US Sailing website, “PHRF handicaps are assigned by individuals or committees associated with specific fleets. Handicaps are assigned to a given production class considering predominant local conditions and the handicapper’s experience in handicapping similar boats. These ratings are based on observed performance and any requisite adjustments generally become evident after 5-10 races have been sailed.”

This highlights three very important concepts with regard to the boat rating process. First, boats of the same make and model all have the same base ratings (more on what a base rating is below). Second, boats are rated based upon observed performance, not on factors such as the quality of your race equipment or the skillset of your crew. It’s important to keep in mind that the basis of any rating assignment is that you’re doing your best to make your boat go fast. Finally, if your boat make and model is not in our database, we really need race results to determine your rating. This can present a catch-22 in that the boat owner needs a rating to race, but has no race results yet. In this situation, the owner should apply for a Temporary Rating.

When a boat applies for a rating, the owner submits information about the boat’s measurements and configuration with their application form.  After the Fleet Secretary reviews the application for errors and completeness, the boat information is sent to the Chief Handicapper for a first pass look. If the boat make and model are already in our database, those base ratings are applied to the boat. In this situation, a full board review is usually not necessary, and the rating process is essentially done.

If the boat make and model are not already in our database, then the Chief Handicapper will review the application and come up with rating suggestions. Rating suggestions come from a variety of sources and always include a look at boat ratings in other parts of the country. The boat is put into the queue to come before the Regional Board for a rating review. Members receive monthly emails with the meeting agenda and schedule of boats to be reviewed at that month’s meeting, and meetings are open to all members. At the rating review, the boat owner and any other members who want to speak on the subject of that boat are given an opportunity to do so. The board goes into closed session to deliberate, and votes on a rating. Vote results and the general conclusions of the deliberations are given in the monthly meeting minutes, and the owner is notified immediately of the outcome. These ratings are called the “first reading”.

Once the meeting minutes containing the boat’s new rating are posted online, members have 7 days to object to the ratings that were assigned. If there are no objections, then the ratings become permanent after that wait period of 7 days is over. If there are objections, then the person/s objecting can voice their opinions at the next regional meeting, and the board will follow the same procedure to come up with ratings again. This is called the “second reading”.

The Regional Board will assign three (3) regional base ratings for each boat; the random leg course rating, the windward-leeward or buoy course rating, and the off-wind course rating. There are two types of modifiers to the regional base ratings. First, a boat can receive Configuration Adjustments to the base ratings. These adjustments are in general based upon non-racing equipment the boat carries or uses while racing.  This includes things such as lots of anchor chain, a furling mainsail, or old dacron sails. Second, a boat can receive Area Adjustments to the base ratings. These adjustments are based upon local wind or other environmental conditions that are outside of the normal 10 knots that the regional board assumes. Once a boat owner has received regional ratings for their boat, they can apply for Configuration or Area Adjustments.

Requests for Configuration and Area Adjustments are usually handled by the owner’s Area Board. The primary role of the Area Boards is to review and act on such requests.

The PHRF system has roots here on the west coast, and you can read more about the origins on our history page.