One of our local sailing clubs have Wednesday nite racing and has asked me to participate, but I need a PHRF rating for my "240" Before I get interested, can anyone tell me the rating? Thanks
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Be Careful Accepting a Rating
Once you've agreed to a rating it can be difficult to change. There is a tendency for some PHRF groups to give the new Hunter a fast rating (low number) to start with. The idea being they can adjust it later (slower/higher number). Unfortunately this can take a long time. If you find you have virtually no chance and want to get it changed you have to essentially "protest" and go before a board with justification and present your case and as someone new to racing this can be daunting. It would be easier to try and get a slower number to begin with. If they insist on giving you too fast of a number consider taking the Plan B option and spend the fees on cruising stuff instead. Remember, they actually want you in PHRF because (1)the number of boats has declined in the past few decades and (2)they would like the money. A number that works in one fleet isn't necessarily what's good for you in your fleet, although it *should* be close.
Once you've agreed to a rating it can be difficult to change. There is a tendency for some PHRF groups to give the new Hunter a fast rating (low number) to start with. The idea being they can adjust it later (slower/higher number). Unfortunately this can take a long time. If you find you have virtually no chance and want to get it changed you have to essentially "protest" and go before a board with justification and present your case and as someone new to racing this can be daunting. It would be easier to try and get a slower number to begin with. If they insist on giving you too fast of a number consider taking the Plan B option and spend the fees on cruising stuff instead. Remember, they actually want you in PHRF because (1)the number of boats has declined in the past few decades and (2)they would like the money. A number that works in one fleet isn't necessarily what's good for you in your fleet, although it *should* be close.
PHRF Ratings
In order to enter any sanctioned races you will need a valid rating certificate. Follow the link to PHRF of the Chesapeake. There you will find the form and info on obtaining a certificate. A local handicapper will review you application and assign a handicap based on ratings from US Sailing and other PHRF fleets around the country. Good luck in your racing endeavours!! Robert S/V Temptress
In order to enter any sanctioned races you will need a valid rating certificate. Follow the link to PHRF of the Chesapeake. There you will find the form and info on obtaining a certificate. A local handicapper will review you application and assign a handicap based on ratings from US Sailing and other PHRF fleets around the country. Good luck in your racing endeavours!! Robert S/V Temptress
PHRF Ratings
If you've checked the Chesapeake Bay PHRF list you can see the Hunter 240 isn't listed but Hunters of similar size are rated in the 230-250 range. I raced a cruising rigged Shoal Draft Hunter 25 at a rating of 234 and I now race a deep keel Hunter 28.5 rated at 174. I've found the Chesapeake area PHRF ratings fair and accurate to the performance of both boats. I would emphasize that the aparent differences between boats that sail to their ratings and those that don't is usually a difference in preparation. Keep your boat and sails in good condition, including maximum jib size, a smooth clean faired keel & bottom, a folding prop (if applicable)etc. Spend your time and money on keeping the sails in good shape; maybe use a hard vinyl racing (wet sanded) bottom paint. Work on sail trim, particularly in light air and learn how to read the tidal currents and you won't need to waste your time trying to 'protest' a rating.
If you've checked the Chesapeake Bay PHRF list you can see the Hunter 240 isn't listed but Hunters of similar size are rated in the 230-250 range. I raced a cruising rigged Shoal Draft Hunter 25 at a rating of 234 and I now race a deep keel Hunter 28.5 rated at 174. I've found the Chesapeake area PHRF ratings fair and accurate to the performance of both boats. I would emphasize that the aparent differences between boats that sail to their ratings and those that don't is usually a difference in preparation. Keep your boat and sails in good condition, including maximum jib size, a smooth clean faired keel & bottom, a folding prop (if applicable)etc. Spend your time and money on keeping the sails in good shape; maybe use a hard vinyl racing (wet sanded) bottom paint. Work on sail trim, particularly in light air and learn how to read the tidal currents and you won't need to waste your time trying to 'protest' a rating.
Good Call Stu
So much of the time people try and go out and race and they just don't have the boat race ready. The PHRF # are giving based on the fact that the boat is race ready. Meaning new fast sail's, go fast bottom and every other thing in between. I have raced against guys who think I should have my number changed becasue they can't compete and they want it to be more of a race. Now they want to punish me for getting my boat "Race Ready" they have 15 year old sail's and a 80 grit bottom rather then the 400 wet sanded grit on my boat. Do all that you can to get the boat in racing condition. Read everything you can on racing and race as often as you can. Time on the water is huge in getting better and faster. If I or Stu were racing against you, you can bet our boats would be race ready. Cliff H 28.5 "Red Dog"
So much of the time people try and go out and race and they just don't have the boat race ready. The PHRF # are giving based on the fact that the boat is race ready. Meaning new fast sail's, go fast bottom and every other thing in between. I have raced against guys who think I should have my number changed becasue they can't compete and they want it to be more of a race. Now they want to punish me for getting my boat "Race Ready" they have 15 year old sail's and a 80 grit bottom rather then the 400 wet sanded grit on my boat. Do all that you can to get the boat in racing condition. Read everything you can on racing and race as often as you can. Time on the water is huge in getting better and faster. If I or Stu were racing against you, you can bet our boats would be race ready. Cliff H 28.5 "Red Dog"
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