PHRF Racing

Our Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF) allows boats of different makes and models to compete against each other by providing handicaps based on design and performance.

SSSS encourages all sailors regardless of experience to participate in PHRF racing. Whether you are a cruiser looking for more time on the water or a seasoned racer ready to put your skills to the test, our racing program has a place for you.

No boat? Come be crew on boats currently racing – you can offer your experience and availability on our Find Crew/Find a Boat page in the Racing area of our website and come meet other sailors at our monthly General Meetings (see our Calendar for meeting dates).

Have a boat but don’t know where to start? Four Easy Steps to Start Racing:

1. Obtain a Rating

Non-Flying Sails (no spinnaker): Contact Club Handicapper Richard Bigley to obtain a Club rating.

Flying Sails (spinnaker): Email PHRF Handicapper Rafe Beswick rafebeswick@hotmail.com and Join PHRF Northwest https://phrf-nw.org/ to obtain an official PHRF rating.

2. Choose a Sail Number (if you don’t already have one)

Use your production hull number, or a unique 5-digit number not currently used by SSSS racers. One series can be raced before obtaining your sail number.

3. Contact SSSS Scorer

Email scorer@ssssclub.com with your boat name, sail number, rating: the Race Committee will then have your info and will let you know which class (1 or 2) you will be racing in.

4. Pay the Race Fee ($35/Year)

See Race Fees button on this page.

See the Notice of Race (NOR) for more details including safety and insurance requirements and review the Sailing Instructions (SI) prior to each race. USSailing.org has excellent resources for getting started in racing including free downloads of the Racing Rules of Sailing.

It’s that easy! If you have any questions, please email the PHRF Race Chair rcchair@ssssclub.com we are here to help. See you on the water!

If you have photos you’d like to share with the club, please email the Webmaster with either a link to where the photos are stored (such as OneDrive, Flickr, etc.), or, if you have only a few photos, you can attach them to your email, either one by one, or as a .zip archive. Please be sure to tell us what event or race was photographed, the date, and who should be given credit for the photos.

2017-2018

2016-2017

2015-2016

(Older photos to be added as time allows.)

Each boat that participates in the Summer Series should volunteer to help with RC duty. It should be 2 members of your crew.

Email the race chair at rcchair@ssssclub.com to let us know what date you want.

Questions and Answers about SSSS racing

Can I be a casual racer?

Yes, SSSS racing is a casual program in which you can be as relaxed or as serious as you wish.

Do I need racing sails?

No, many racers in all fleets sail with regular cruising sails. You do not need to have a spinnaker.

Do I need to know all the racing rules?

No, the basics are all that is required starting out. Simply, remember boats on a starboard tack,

leeward boats, and any inside boats with which you are overlapped within three boat lengths of a racing mark have the right of way, but the #1 rule is you are to avoid hitting another boat! As you race more you will pick-up on the more detailed rules.

A free download of the Racing Rules of Sailing is available at USSailing.org

An excellent way to learn more about racing rules, start tactics, and club history is spend time as a volunteer on the Race Committee boat!

Are there dues for SSSS racing?

Your first race is free! You can try before you buy, but to be scored in subsequent SSSS races the annual racing dues must be paid online through the website. Annual race fee is $35.00.

Do I need a rating for my boat?

Yes, for non-flying sails (no spinnakers) you can get a rating for your boat from Club Handicapper Richard Bigley, email NFShandicapper@ssssclub.com

For boats flying spinnakers you need a rating certificate from PHRF-NW.

Join PHRF NW , and contact PHRF Handicapper Rafe Beswick at rafebeswick@hotmail.com

You must be an active PHRF-NW member with a valid certificate to race with Flying Sails.

What are the ratings for and how do they apply?

Ratings are a means of equalizing different kinds of boats so they can race all in the same class based on design dimensions and performance history for your make and model.

The rating is computed in terms of seconds per mile subtracted from finishing times, compared with an “ideal” boat in the class. For example, boat A has a rating of 170, boat B has a rating of 150. Boat B has to give Boat A a handicap of 20 seconds per mile

for a race (170-150=20). This allows boats of different types to race on an equal footing.

How are racing starts organized?

Though the starts seem the most intimidating, it’s actually quite simple. Each Class (1 or 2) is assigned a starting time. A series of short horn blasts will signal the starting countdown will begin soon. The countdown to the start time begins 5 minutes beforehand with a series of signals:

5 minutes, class flag raised and horn

4 minute preparatory flag raised and horn

1 minute preparatory flag down and horn

0 minutes (start) class flag down and horn

(For buoy racing starts, the starting horn is also the 5 minute horn for the next class)

See the Sailing Instructions (SI) for starting times for each series.

Is it really that simply?

Yes, it really is! If you have any questions, please reach out to the Race Chair at rcchair@ssssclub.com

SSSS racing is about getting out on your boat and having a good time with your friends – come join us!

Race Fees for PHRF racing are $35 annually.

PHRF- Performance Handicap Racing Fleet