PHRF handicaps are based on OBSERVED performance, and assume the boat is being sailed optimally. US SAILING runs statistical tools on their overall numbers, and makes these tools available to fleets to help normalize the numbers.
But often the fleets do not. And then (typically smaller) less sophisticated clubs will start to adjust an INDIVIDUAL boats rating to reflect how they are doing relative to the fleet. When this happens, its often the crew that is getting the rating break, and not the boat.
The boat then looks 'competitive', when in fact it probably should not be. The real issue in small fleet handicap racing that often an individual boat cannot see how badly they are actually getting around the track. They THINK they are sailing well, but are not RACING well. So they appeal and get a rating break. Then the numbers start to look funny.
But often the fleets do not. And then (typically smaller) less sophisticated clubs will start to adjust an INDIVIDUAL boats rating to reflect how they are doing relative to the fleet. When this happens, its often the crew that is getting the rating break, and not the boat.
The boat then looks 'competitive', when in fact it probably should not be. The real issue in small fleet handicap racing that often an individual boat cannot see how badly they are actually getting around the track. They THINK they are sailing well, but are not RACING well. So they appeal and get a rating break. Then the numbers start to look funny.
