PHRF is the organization that gives us our handicaps. Your handicap is valid only if your dues are current. They were due January first. We will be checking at Toliva and for SSSS races.
Renewing members can simply return the dues notice mailed you, if you still have it. Otherwise you can find one on the PHRF web site. Joining? This, the start of the year, is a good time to join. See Rafe Beswick, our Handicapper.
Steve Worcester, Star 6932
The PHRF-NW handicapper had their annual meeting January 29, 2012 at the Tacoma Yacht Club. Some new handicappers were introduced and some prior ones elevated to emeritus status, meaning we were keeping them on tap so we could pick their brains when needed.
The expected changeover of Chief Handicapper did not happen as the replacement came down with a serious medical condition so Alan Grim will soldier on for another year. He was subsequently given an appreciation plaque with a question mark inscribed after the ending date that had initially been placed on it.
The appeals process was discussed and the efficacy and desire to use electronic virtual meetings entered the discussion. It was mentioned if enough appeals are brought forward, another handicappers meeting can be convened at any time during the year.
A Mumm 30 one design rating was established at 54.
At this meeting six appeals were presented. Jam, the J160 asked for a 12 second adjustment slower, primarily complaining about the competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis the Santa Cruz 52 Marda Gras. It was discussed that the big boat fleet should be addressed as a whole. The J160 was given six seconds of rating relief and also given a T designation so the responsible handicapper could make further adjustments in the future without council approval to assist in the big boat fleet handicapping issue.
A Blanchard 26 asked for rating relief. A T designation was assigned by acclimation allowing the responsible handicapper to address the matter outside the purview of the council.
Sachem, a 1980s two-tonner, asked for rating relief from 51 to 60. This was granted. Hernan, if you want to start racing again, this means you can get a better rating for Camouflage. I’ll help you with that if you ask.
Night Runner, a custom Perry 40 something, asked for rating relief from its current rating of 75 to an unspecified number. It was given a new rating of 78. The argument presented didn’t really warrant any further adjustment, and its number one genoa is over five years old. It’s hard to get rating relief if your boat isn’t kept up and/or your sail inventory isn’t up to date.
The owner of Neptune’s Car appealed the rating of Icon at 69 citing some rudder work and change of some rigging from rod to synthetic. It was determined the changes did not warrant a rating change. The owner of Icon made a very impressive argument that swayed the council in his favor. He also unabashedly made a pitch for North 3di sails saying they were one of the things that had made a significant difference in his improved performance over the past couple of years. He also sails with pros and Olympic medalists evidently.
Karma, a modified Dash 34, appealed its rating change from 90 to 81 last year. There was some impassioned testimony from the boat’s co-owners and also from the skipper of the J33 Corvo, bickering at some point. The rating was adjusted to 84 with the addition of a T designation so that the responsible handicapper could monitor the boat’s results and maker further adjustments as needed.
The take-away message from this session? Check with your handicapper before changing your boat or buying one with modifications, and if you want to appeal your rating, get it up to snuff first. Clean, smooth bottom, current sails and good crew work need to be there before any rating consideration will be given. Many skippers asserted that their boats weighed in more than per the design specifications. This carried no weight. The Chief Handicapper made the statement that it has been the Council’s observation over the years that all boats are over the designed weight. For handicapping purposes, the design weight is what is used for initial rating purposes, and after that it’s observed performance.
Rafe Beswick, Dragonfly
The annual Directors meeting was fairly routine. We also met at TYC, in the room below the Handicappers.
There was a presentation by a racer upset that the RC let people pay PHRF dues after the Duwamish Race, when, by the rules, they are suppose to be paid prior. He wanted TTPYC to disqualify them.
He was told that the RC is not about to protest these people, some of whom spent hours trying to pay PHRF after a PayPal mix up. However as a racing skipper he can protest this himself.
A word to the wise, he may come to Toliva. Make sure your dues are paid.
Steve Worcester, Star 6932
The PHRF homepage: http://www.phrf-nw.org.