MacGregorSailors.com

We're in the process of purchasing a 26M. I've heard good things about the effect of the improvements on it performance. Does anyone know the PHRF or Portsmouth numbers for a 26M. I don't see a Portsmouth on the US Sailing web site.

So far the handicaps have been all over the place for the MacGregors.

I am guessing based on the last handicapper meeting where I am that you should sit around 240-270 PHRF depending on your area. One boat is rated over 300 (don't you wish it were you?) but we are looking for the M and X to sit in the 250 range with flying sails.

You won't find Portsmouth in the USSailing page as it is not a handicap program they endorse.

My bad.... it is there. Husband pointed it out. Sorry.

http://www.ussailing.org/portsmouth

So many acronyms on this site, so what does PHRF mean.

Pacific Handicap Racing Fleet or Performance handicap racing fleet. Depends on your area.

I sail on Lake Erie and inland lakes around Ohio - my PHRF is 249 - still too low in my opinion. Catalina 22 is 270 and is faster than the 26X - we should be in the 270-280 range in my opinion.

As more people get out and race and results are collected, the handicappers are able to get a better rating developed. Part of the challenge a rarely raced boat faces is that all they have to determine a handicap are predictions developed by the designer, or if they don't have such numbers, the handicappers WAG.

I tend to agree that someone around 270-300 is probably a better number, and if you have a very involved handicapper and PHRF board you can get them to consider the handicap in a non-formal setting. If that fails you can appeal your rating, all the way up to the national board.

SoCal PHRF has given the X a 216 rating, which means you lose all races. My experience in the Tri-Point race off Ventura last year was that a Cat 22 smoked me from the start. I have a custom main with a larger roach and loose foot and 155 mylar genoa. I have heard that the low rating came from a windy Newport-Ensenada race, but I do not know if that is fact. I have applied for a PHRF rating for my M in SoCal. It has not come back yet. Will post a message when it comes through.

216 is very generous----provided you can use your 50 HP iron sail on the up wind leg. BTW, Cat 22's carry a 265 in Colorado.

Forgot to mention, I also have a Cat 22, it carries a 264 for random leg course in SoCal

I didn't realize that the numbers would vary so much! Our Mac 25 always gets a handicap of 249 at LOWISA (Lake of the Woods International Sailing Association) in Canada. It's interesting that the same number was mentioned here. Is there a fee for getting a PHRF number? Does that number apply in different areas?

I haven't been anywhere where the PHRF certificate was free. But who knows maybe someone gives them away.

If you move your boat from one area to another you will have to apply for a new cert for each area, and the number may or may not be the same.

Reasons why the number may not be the same:
1. The boat doesn't have a solid performance history, or the PHRF committee/handicapper doesn't go compare other area base ratings.

2. Changes in base ratings may also occur due to variations in local conditions. Some boats may be light-air killers but totally stink when the wind is over 15 knots. So if a "boat" rates 100 in Frisco (big windy area) he may rate 84 where light air is predominate.

3. There is a code system for the boats and it comes down to jib, main, spinnaker, prop sizes. So if you have a 150% jib you will be rated faster than the guy who only has a 100%. Some areas are playing with adjustments for bow anchors, roller furling, etc. as well. So unless you know the code for a boat you don't know if the rating has been adjusted for those kinds of things. 3 seconds here and there can really add up, or take away.

Yes, it does cost to get your boat rated. Two conditions must exist: you have to be a member of a recognized PHRF participating yacht club, and you have to join PHRF itself for the year. The dues are $50. So, after you join a sponsoring club for ??$$'s, you fill out the PHRF form available on the web and have your boat measured, send in the $50, and your particular boat will get its very own rating. The cheap way, of course, is to let someone else in your area do it, and then ride their coat tails. I have been waiting for over a year for someone else to do that, but alas, grew tired of the wait, and now I am doing it the formal way. Hope they are good to me, but luck will probably give me a faster rating than the 216 given to the X in this area due to the larger sail area of the M. Time will tell.