US Sailing

Multihull PHRF Class Rule

Guidelines

•      Purpose

PHRF is  a handicapping system directed by amateurs for amateur sailing. Because it is a handicapping system based on race data analysis between racing/cruising multihulls, it requires class rules. This will  establish a standard for comparing like boats and designing penalties for unlike boats. The following class rules will provide a  national standard  so that new Handicapp comittees can design their own  standard to design appropriate penalties. The strength of PHRF is that it is adjusted by local handicapping committees and these rules are only to provide guidance to that local committee who still has the final control of assigning a PHRF rating based on local conditions and racing needs of their participants.

A reference for the establishment of numbers is published in the US Sailing PHRF Handicap Book. This  listing of Numbers  can give local committees a reference based on Specific Standard Boats. A caution must be used in using PHRF  as in any rating system it can only meet some of the needs of particular competitors.  Each competitor must choose if they want to race under these class standards. Their are many other good rating systems that may better meet their needs.

•      Class Requirements

PHRF Class Requirements are primarily  intended to be limited to interclass racing to "Cruising/Racing" auxiliary multihull sail yachts, and not to establish equipment or construction  standards. Adequate equipment and crew for conditions to be encountered is inescapably the responsibility of the skipper and already addressed by US Sailing's "Recommendations for Offshore Sailing". This includes ORC Special Regulations for both Monohulls & Multihull.

To meet the definition of a "Cruising/Racing"  the class requires an auxiliary power system and adequate accommodations for cruising.  Further the yacht shall have a floatation system sufficient to prevent the boat from sinking if swamped or overturned.  Yachts shall be raced in at least "Boat Show" trim. When reported as part of the certificate weight to the Handicapping Committee accommodation parts such as bunks, drawers, doors, etc. may not be removed.  It is expected that appropriate  heavy weather management equipment, safety equipment, and consumables will be on board.

•      Handicap Classifications

These suggested classifications to be used by the designated Handicap Committee.

( P ) - For a class to be granted permanent status it is required that there are at least 3 members of a particular one-design class with the same design and sail plan, with 10 or more finishes on file with the Handicap Committee. These ratings are usually reviewed once a year or when appealed.

( A ) - A regular rating is indicated and could be changed by the Handicap Committee at any meeting.

( R ) - Restricted handicaps could be issued to all yachts which do not meet minimum PHRF standards specified for normal PHRF Multihull Class. Multihull Yachts with restricted rating will not be allowed be valid for any invitational race and race sponsors will be informed that it is strictly up to racers to protest that yacht prior to start if they feel it would be unfair to allow them to compete in the regular PHRF Multihull division. The race committee could also  determine the boat would be unmanageable in a particular race. It would be best if more than one such boat could come together at a particular race to create a development division.

( T ) - Newly assigned  handicap which the designated Handicap Committee feels that has not been adequately tested. This handicap can be changed at any time after consultation with the other Committee members and it is their opinion that the situation makes it inadvisable to wait for next regular scheduled meeting for reconsideration.

•      Multihull Handicap Rating Committee

Ratings can not be assigned unless a Handicap Committee  has been designated for a particular race. Only the Handicap Committee can assign or change a rating. This could be a local committee for a PHRF area or a committee designed for a specific race or event. Handicap Committee should be a minimum of three active multihull racers with an additional technical advisor. The selection of this committee would be by event coordinators or in the case of PHRF area at an annual meeting.

•      Sail and Rig

The basic class rule for PHRF MUltihull Class sail design and construction is that the sail must be standard to the design standard or one - design class rule without any excess construction or be assigned a penalty.

Their are penalties assigned on special sails and restrictions concerning legal methods of trimming sails that apply  to PHRF Multihull racing. There is no restriction on the number of sails except you must carry aboard what is declared at the time of rating to the Handicap Committee. In general, sailmakers are familiar with or could be supplied design standards to design non-penalty sails. The intent is not to restrict the use of these nonstandard sails but to give the Handicap Committee guidance in assigning penalties in fairness to those boats that meet the established standard. Batten patterns may be any layout and construction material as specified by design standard to be penalty free.

In addition to sails, rig construction or other adjustments must meet design specifications used to establish the rating to be permitted without penalties.

Many multihulls use both asymmetric and symmetrical spinnakers which changes the handicapping depending on which is used. When the rating is established the Handicapping Committee must know which or both are going to be used during the length of the particular rating assignment.

Bloopers and Reachers will be considered as additional sails for rating purposes, unless specified in the base rating,  and must be reported to the Handicap Committee as such.

A spinnaker must be symmetrical about a line joining the  head to the center of the foot except asymmetrical spinnakers. Spinnakers mid-grith should not be less than 75% nor more than 100% of the foot length unless reported to the Handicap Committee. Spinnakers shall be sheeted from only one point on the sail.

A jib is defined as any sail, other than a spinnaker, that is to be set in the foretriangle. So no jib can have a mid-girth, measured between mid-points of luff and leach, that exceed 50% of the foot length, nor shall the length of any intermediate girth exceed a value similarly proportionate to its distance from the head of the sail. The jib may not be set under or abaft another headsail and so tacked that , if trimmed along a parallel to the center line of the yacht, more than 50% of its area would fall abaft the foresides of the mast. Jibs may be sheeted from only one point on the sail except in the process of reefing the sail. No two jibs can be carried simultaneously in a luff groove device, except briefly while changing sails. No tack pennant greater than 2.5 feet may be used on a jib when flying. Headsails ( sail set in the foretriangle ) with mid-girths between 50% and 75% shall be reported to the Handicap Committee.

•      Crew Limitation

Since multihulls are very sensitive to weight changes ratings are based on a standard crew minimum of three. Yachts racing with less than three are subject to penalties. This does not override requirements of minimum crew limits set by race instructions for a particular race.

•      Modifications

Unreported changes in  rig, sails, rudder, hull, dagger boards, center boards, or ballast will result in immediate suspension of PHRF rating. Reinstatement of rating will be done only after inspection by the Handicap Committee. Blatant violation of unreported changes will result in action under rule 75, Gross Infringement of Rules or Misconduct. Notification of changes must be made to the Handicap Committee at least two weeks prior to the race at which the new modification/rating is intended to be used.

Modifications in Rigs or Sail Plan where no change in hull shape or ballast has resulted will receive a rating adjustment. Standard Rig and sail plan is considered to be foretriangle and mainsail dimensions no greater than originally specified. Adjustments will result from modifications to weight, trim, or underwater shape in rudder, etc..  Work which is exempt from reporting would be grounding damage or filling  and fairing of the magnitude associated with batten sanding. If in doubt REPORT ! It is assumed that any changes in yachts, other than approximate replacement of broken or damage components, will increase the speed of the yacht.

•      Auxiliary Power

Any yacht which is unable to motor either to the starting line or from the  starting line of a race shall be subject to protest either by race committee or another yacht( except for (R) rated yachts ). The protested yacht is subject to inspection by Handicap Committee and if the yacht is found not to be in it's rated racing trim with respect to motor, fuel, propeller, strut, etc. it is subject to a time penalty or disqualification.

•      Appeals

Any request for review of a handicap of a yacht must be submitted to the Handicap Committee in writing. It also must be accompanied with documentation. Since ratings are based on race analysis the best documentation is past race data. The receipt of  a request for reconsideration the appellant will be notified of meeting time and date. If appeal is another yachts rating that yachts owner will also be notified. If either party wishes to make a short presentation to the Handicap Committee they may do so at the meeting. No ratings will be changed after a particular race series has commenced and no rating change will be retro active to a previous race, other than those restrictions the decision of the Handicap committee will be effective immediately. Handicap Committees of special events should post ratings on the official notification board or through a scratch sheet prior to the first race.

Compliance

PHRF is administered by volunteer handicappers who give freely of their time and knowledge to support good and fair handicap sailing. We neither have the facilities nor the inclination to police rule compliance. We consider that we are engaged in a sporting activity and anyone participating in violation of these class rules is guilty of unsportsmanlike behavior. Any Handicap Committee reserves the right to suspend a yacht sailing under these class rules for flagrant or systematic violations