PHRF

PHRF (performance handicapping racing fleet) is not a rating system such as IRC, IMS or ORC Club, but is a handicap based on a combination of performance and assessed design potential.

The system is the national system administered by Yachting New Zealand and is independent of any other handicap such as a club handicap.

It provides a national handicap system appropriate for interclub racing in New Zealand. 

DOWNLOAD THE PHRF RULES

There are two components to a PHRF. Firstly, the PHRF range for the design and, secondly, performance information from the racing a boat has done.

1. PHRF range
The PHRF range for the design is an assessment by the PHRF committee of the potential of a boat design. Both a lower and upper handicap limit is set and a boat’s PHRF will not be allowed to fall outside this range. Typically, a variation of 1.8% from the midpoint of a range is permitted or, for designs like the Farr 1020 or Young 88, this would mean a boat may vary by about 0.013 from the midpoint of the design range.

The level of variation permitted for designs will be periodically reviewed by the CIORC committee.

2. Boat’s race history
The second component, the boat’s race history, is used as follows. 

• Racing over the prior 24 months is considered in the calculation.
• If there is no racing available in this period, the boat shall be placed at the 1/2 point of her design range. For example, if a boat’s design range was 0.700 - 0.740, a boat with no race history would be given a PHRF of 0.720.
• Where racing exists, an overall sailed-to calculation is made, aggregating how the boat performed in individual races over the prior 24 months. The most recent 12 months are weighted more heavily.  
• Where fewer than five races have been recorded, the design range is restricted further. For example, if a boat’s design range was from 0.800 - 0.850 but only one race completed, the range would be further limited to 0.820 - 0.830, after two races 0.815 - 0.835 and so forth.
• Finally, a scaling algorithm is used to set the PHRF within the design range. For example, if a boat’s performance history indicates a PHRF close to the mid-point, then her handicap will be very close to the sailed-to calculation. If it indicates a handicap closer to or over a limit, the handicap will be within the range but will not vary from the design assessment mid-point as much as the sailed-to calculation would indicate. 

When you apply for your PHRF, the online form will ask you to choose one of the following options:

• New applications
  This application is for boats that have not held a PHRF certificate within the previous two years. In order to validate boat measurements, it is a requirement that the new application form is completed IN FULL and the declaration checked by the owner/owner’s representative. This means that ALL parts of the form MUST be completed for it to be accepted. All measurements must be metric (metres and centimetres), no exceptions. Any incomplete application will be returned for completion.

• Revalidations
  For boats that have had a PHRF certificate within the previous two years. If the boat has had no changes to measurements then you may click the “no changes” box on the application form. This confirms that you agree no changes have been made to the boat or sails since the last certificate was issued.

  If your last PHRF certificate was within the previous two years and you have made changes to your boat in this time, you must note these changes on the application form when revalidating.

• First Time FREE PHRF
  A yacht owner who has not previously held a PHRF certificate will be offered their initial certificate for free. Please contact us for further information.

• Amendments 
  Complete the changes only on the application form and submit. All boats with a PHRF receive one free amendment.

• Urgent processing
  Standard processing time is 5-10 business days. There is an additional charge for urgent processing of an application if the request is required within four working days. Applications cannot be processed in less than two working days.

• Single event certificates
  Single event certificates can be issued to boats for it to compete in just one race or regatta. Regatta dates must be stipulated on the application form and certificates will be valid only for the length of the regatta.

• Upgrade event certificates to full season
  If an owner with a one-off event certificate wishes to compete in more PHRF racing after the one-off event, they can apply to upgrade their certificate to be valid for the remainder of the season. The cost of this will be $40.

• Re-registrations (change of ownership)
  When a yacht with a current PHRF is sold, the new owner must complete and submit the online PHRF application form with the new owner details plus any boat/sail changes. There is no charge for this if the boat has a current PHRF certificate. New owners are also required to register the change of ownership with Yachting New Zealand.

Submission of the form will take you to the Yachting New Zealand online shop for secure payment by credit card on DPS. All applications must be paid for in full before the PHRF can be processed. 

There are three PHRF performance handicaps calculated for each yacht, Inshore, Passage and Shorthanded.  Each yacht is assessed on its performance in each category.

It is common for the performance relativity between certain types of yachts to vary substantially in different categories (e.g. between short-handed and fully crewed racing) and the PHRF assessment process endeavours to take that into account. Therefore organisers of races that use PHRF Performance handicap ratings should be conscious of using the most appropriate performance handicap for each race or series.  

To assist clubs and Organising Authorities, the PHRF Committee offers this simple guidance:

• Use Shorthanded, where there are S.I. limits on the number of crew and where that limit is three or less.
• Use Passage where the race course is;
     - of approximately 25 miles or more and/or
     - the race is a point to point race (where the finish and start lines are geographically significantly different) and/or
     - for a point to point race where the probable weather conditions are reaching or downwind.
• Where the above criteria are not met, use the inshore rating.

PHRF reviews can be automatically triggered by:

• A request from an event organising authority
• Scheduled committee tasks midseason and between winter and summer racing
• Consistently sailing above the 1.8% limit, that the PHRF committee may use that as a basis to change the base handicap with a view of bringing back the performance back to 0% variation
• For new boats the PHRF committee may alter the base handicap after a settling in period
• Changes to measurements recorded on the PHRF Certificate, or to any other measurements that may affect the potential performance of the boat (e.g. replacement of, or modifications to, mast, keel, or boat including structural repairs and hull stiffening). These should be notified via a Request for a Review (see below). 

Request a review of a PHRF
A review will be considered by the PHRF committee. Reasons for the request, including supporting information, must be emailed to the PHRF administrator. Reviews will take no less than 10 working days to complete.   

Request a PHRF review