How are handicaps determined?
There are a number of factors taken into account. We compare the new boat to others that we are familiar with. We look for boats of the same type, based on sail area to displacement ratios. You really can’t compare an ultralight to an around the world cruiser. We then make adjustments based on the differences. We look to see if the boat has raced in another PHRF group. If so, the Chief Handicapper of that group will be contacted to get his opinion. We look to measurement rules. Here you have to be careful as measurement rules are type forming. If the boat wasn’t designed to the rule, then this has to be taken into account. Since measurement rules evolve over the years, the age in the rule must also be considered. There are a number of formulae that can be used to give you an idea of where to start from using basic boat parameters. These tend to be crude and are good only for getting a ballpark idea of what the handicap might be. All of these factors are considered and a handicap is det
