CBA PHRF Chairman Griff Nolan writes:
The CATBOAT ASSOCIATION now has its own U.S. Sailing PHRF FLEET to enable those who desire to race on a more equal bases against not only each other but against other type of vessel anywhere in the U.S. At least this is the objective of the PHRF handicap rule. Its success is in the application and use. It is by this means that data is collected and adjustments can be made to rating and the rule. It is an ongoing process.
Griff Nolan can be reached at (228) 255-7046 if you have any questions, or you can write to him at 26012 Wolf Creek Rd., Kiln, MS 39556. (Sorry, he does not have an e-mail address).
Enclosed is a copy of the rules for PHRF CBA CERTIFICATE. It is an on going rule that will change to make it work.
This will allow everyone who has interest in obtaining a rating to apply for one. It will also make everyone aware that they have access to an unbiased national PHRF RATING. The PHRF is a rule that is used nation wide by most of the yacht clubs and racing organization.
Catboats are thick in history of the racing of yachts and with this rule they now have a chance to make that history grow. As more catboats receive certificates and start racing in their local clubs with a chance to win that the interest in catboats and boating will grow even more. Not only in sailing them but in owning them and in the design and building of them. It is the most common thing at a gathering to race and the usual boats always win. What more can increase the over all interest nation wide then the ability of a cat boat to sail and win on an equal base.
It has been a struggle to reach this point and obtaining a PHRF FLEET. It is futility if the members do not have the chance to apply.
At present there are a number of system being used in the CBA , this is a national one, based on those in its application. MR HOOVER AND VAN ORDEN work was used and arriving at the numbers, and a great other amount of data.
Your help in making it possible to race catboats against each other as well as other type of vessel's nation wide would greatly be appreciated.|
To U.S. Sail and PHRF Committee A. Sponsorship United States Cat Boat Association with membership around the world, as well as several thousand in the United States and growing as more new cat boats are built and sold. B. Handicap Committee 1. Will be headed by Griff Nolan. The Committee will meet annually at the yearly Cat Boat Association Meeting to review rules - changes - handicaps - results. Quarter reviews and appeals for rating changes also - based on information submitted - with a board of: the chairman and three to four members appointed - approved by the U.S. Cat Boat Association Steerage Committee chairman. The chairman shall sit or serve for two years. At which time a new chairman shall be selected by the steering committee. C. Financial The fleet shall operate on PHRF membership fees from a cost of yearly fees and certificate of handicaps.
These fees will be used for cost of computer time and cost - Postal Service printing - office expense - purchase of books - data - gathering information to enable the committee to determine and issue a fair handicap certificate, plus any other cost to assure service and fairness to Cat Boat Association members. Accounting to be given to the steerage committee of all funds and cost. Rules Purpose
A. To handicap all types of Cat Boats from seventeen feet in length and larger. Length being hull length from stern to bow. B. To make it possible for Cat Boats to race each other as well as boats of different design on an equal and fair basis - based on the performance of that design and boat, inclusive of the fastest design sloop or other rig. C. The base boat will be a Marshall 18 Cat boat - with a standard rating or base rating of 360. When and as such time faster sloop or designs make this rating incorrect, it will be raised and all other Cat boat's rating will be increased likewise. This rated Base boat is the standard outboard model.
The reason for this choice is it is the oldest in current production - largest number - thus the greatest in data to base a handicap. D. Non Cat Boat vessels will be rated in relation to Cat boats on actual data obtained in races in which Cat boats are competitors. Only races will be considered where both complete the race. E. Non Cat Boat owners do not have to belong to the Cat Boat Association. F. No appeal may be made on a rating unless the boat owner belongs to the Cat Boat Association. G. The objective of the rules is to obtain competitive rating for any vessel using two constants the course - triangle and a cat boat or boats. The variance being wind - water - weight - and design, so they can compete fairly. Any changes will be to achieve this objective.
H. All changes in any boat, whatever, must be photographed, described and sent to the CBA chairman to be filed with that boat's data. This includes change of ownership. Process for obtaining PHRF certificate 1. A Cat Boat PHRF information form must be filled out and signed by two members of the Cat Boat Association; non Cat Boats by a CBA member. Other PHRF fleet date will be accepted. 2. A check for thirty dollars forward to Cat Boat Association PHRF - made out to the U.S. Cat Boat Association PHRF chairman, Griff C Nolan. He will mark on the check bottom for PHRF certificate or/and membership PHRF fleet. 3. The information will be reviewed and the certificate will be issued. 4. Any information on past races and data provided by owner will be considered. 5. The certificate will be good for two years. Rating Data 1. Cat Boats will be considered to be in race condition, a) bottoms faired, cleaned and smooth b) mast tuned c) all excess weight removed for race with all safety gear aboard as required by law and the race committee d) sail in condition to provide maximum performance
2. All boats will be rated as if spinnaker rigged.
A. Boats may have only one spinnaker type aboard or no spinnaker 1) Symmetric 2) Asymmetric 3) Cat Boat spinnaker (bra) B. Sprits or J - length will be 40% of the standard boom length for that vessel. Example: Marshall 22 22 ft boom .40 8.8 ft
C. The foot measurement on all asymmetric and symmetric may not be greater than 180% of the J.
Example: 8.8 ft X 1.80 = 16.04 D. Cat Boat spinnakers will be cut in a triangle shape. Their foot measurement will be 90% of the boom. Marshall 22 Example: 22 ft X 90 = 19.8 ft
1) They may be hanked or unhanked onto a head stay. This will be called Bra Reachers on the Certificate.
(Type of spinnaker carried aboard will be noted on certificate. If type of spinnaker is changed, a new certificate must be issued to be valid. Engines All Cat Boats will be considered to outboard power if gaff rigged. A) Credits: Inboard engine will receive a 12 second credit over base rating. B) No credit or penalty for outboards. C) Engine wells - no penalty for engine well plugs or fairing. All PHRF boats are rated with spinnakers. The rule was designed to allow a way for cat boats to carry spinnakers when racing against other spinnaker boats if desired. Propellers (Inboard only) 1. Two bladed prop, solid 6 seconds 2. Three bladed prop, solid 9 seconds Cruise Credit Must have: 1. Stove - two burners 2. Toilet facilities (porta potty or other) 3. Ten gallons of water 4. Ten gallons of fuel 5. Two anchors/chain/rode 6. Two bunks with cushions 7. Dodger or bimini 8. Two compasses on board 9. Two sounding devices - signals/horn/bell 10. Sai I cover 11. All safety equipment required by US Coast Guard for interstate cruising 12. At least two reefs in the main sail 13. Pot/pans/dishes/utensils for crew 14. Bedding for bunks 15. Ten pounds of ice at race beginning for each crew 16. Tool parts 17. Emergency steerage system 18. Map/charts/navigation equipment for area 19. VHF radio 20. Food for four meals each crew 21. Foul weather gear each crew and one change of clothes 22. Engine mounted in place. The vessel must be in such condition and equipped to cruise at least overnight and to support itself and crew for such. Credit: Will be six (6) seconds Credit: Three (3) will be given for lifelines on cruise equipped vessels only Minimum Crew: 3 people Non-Cat Boats A. Will be rated based on performance against cat boats B. Will be rated with 155% Genoa C. Standard spinnaker D. The same penalties and credits will be applied Jibs Since a well cut spinnaker can be used as well or better, no penalty for a jib. However, a jib may only be 155% of the J.
Sail Measurements Main: 1. Foot - clew hole to tack hole 2. Luff - tack hole - gaff tack 3. Gaff - Gaff tack to gaff clew hole 4. Leach - Gaff chew to boom chew
Other Type Boats: 1. Clew to head - leach Cat Boat Reacher Bra - Spinnaker Same a Jib - Foot - Luff - Leach Asymmetric Spinnaker Same as Jib - Foot - Luff - Leach
Symmetric 1. Foot - tack to luff 2. Luff/Leach - head to clew Penalties 1. Folding prop No Penalty 2. Oversize main -3 seconds for every 3 inches of fraction of 3. Loose footed main -3 seconds 4. Over sized spinnaker or jib -6 seconds for every 3 inches of fraction of 5. Ballast removal -6 seconds per hundredweight Protest - Appeals Process
This is a national fleet and certificates are issued on a national basis. 1. Appeals will be made directly to the rating committee of the Cat Boat Association; addressed to the chairman. 2. A copy must be also provided for each member and other boat owner if needed. 3. Appeals will consist of no more than two typed pages - plus supporting race results. Race results must have the following data on all boats: manufacturer, length, rating and name 1. Length of course in nautical miles 2. Strength of wind - speed and direction 3. Drawing of course 4. Finish time and corrected time of each boat 5. Description of race 6. Name and address of each crewmember on your boat and years of experience in sailing 7. Your position crossing starting line 8. Type of course sailed. Triangle type course is the standard, but other course information can be relevant and will be considered 9. Wave height approximate. Type of area: River, sound, lake, Gulf, ocean, etc 10. Contributing factors of sail or boat design features Cost: $20.00 per appeal to cover postage, phone calls and coffee at meeting. Any cost above this will be paid by the person making the appeal or protest. An accounting will be provided to him if the cost exceeds $20.00 Procedure: If appeal is denied or ruled against and the person wishes to forward his case, it will go directly to the National PHRF committee. That person then pays for all mailing and any other costs Before any appeal can be made: 1. All race data of all races a boat races in must be collected in a season or 2. The boat must have competed against 75 boats 3. They must have sailed 5 races at least total 4. They must have sailed 75 miles total
5. There must be one cat boat in every race that completed the race 6. Races may not be selective or left out - all wins noted The basis for any handicap is to base it on as much data as possible and nothing is left out. The object is to achieve a fair and unbiased decision so that good and fair sailing can enable the slowest boat to be able, under certain conditions, have a fair and equal chance of winning. CBA and the National Handicap committee realize that the differences in sailing areas require adjustments in the rating for that. It is therefore, in the interest of fairness, that as much information as possible be collected for any appeal. The penalty for false information is one as to prevent it. Cost of Rule Book $1.50 Cost of mailing and handling $2.50 First book free with certificate. BASE RATING Marshall 26 339 Merrger 23 345 Americat 22 351 Williams 25 351 Marshall 22 351 Mystic 20 354 Marshall 18 360 Hershoff 18 363 Hershoff 22 E 351 Marston 17 369 Mengerl9 372 Hermann 17 372 Mengerl7 372 Atlantic 21 354 Alerion 19 348 Atlantic 18 R 342 Williams 22 (Wood) 372 Williams 20 372 Wilkerson 22 363 Herman Maroni 375 Freedom 21 One Design 242 Freedom 25 One Design 222 Freedom 28 222 Freedom 33 213 Non Such 26 222 Non Such 30 213 Non Such 33 192 Off Shore 33 300 Atlantic 330 |
A copy of the PHRF application can be obtained from Griff Nolan.
Griff can be reached at (228) 255-7046 if you have any questions, or you can write to him at 26012 Wolf Creek Rd., Kiln, MS 39556. (Sorry, he does not have an e-mail address).