Sailing Fleets and Handicaps

There are three broad categories of sailing fleets in DRYA races. (Each of these groups is represented by an officer, elected by the group to assist them and speak for their concerns on the DRYA Executive Committee.)

For about half of the races ("point-to-point" as we call them), the fleets sail in an area designated by the host club for the day, for the other half of the races ("closed-course"), they compete on a prescribed A, B, or C Course as listed below. (The general vicinity of the A, B, and C courses is shown on the chart in this section.)

One Design boats sail against each other without any time allowance handicapping. The simple order of finish determines the award places. For the 2008 season, Cruising One Design boats included:

In addition to the boats listed above, individual clubs may invite other one-design fleets to sail in their own regatta (Thistles, Snipes, Sharks etc.)

Most of the boats which sail competitively, do so with a time allowance handicap. The allowance is intended to equalize boats of different speed potential competing in the same race. Handicaps are generally of two types: Performance or Measurement.

In the DRYA, we have a person who is elected to oversee the handicapping processes. He is called the Chief Handicapper and is available to assist you in any matters relating to handicaps:

DRYA Measurers
Measurer	Loft	Bus Phone	Email	Measures
Mike Boston	North	586-792-7212	MikeB@sales.northsails.com	PHRF
Wally Cross	Quantum	586-776-1330		PHRF
Al Declercq	Doyle	586-790-7500		PHRF
Tom Schwandt	Kent	586-791-2587	Sales@KentSail.com	PHRF
Lee Smith		586-778-3565		PHRF/IMS/IOR
Frank Tenkel		313-886-8832		PHRF/IMS/IOR

Detroit Area Sailmakers
Loft	Address			Fax
Doyle Sails	24277 Sorentino,Court, Clinton Twp, MI, 48035			586-790-7500
Kent Sail	35942 Jefferson, Harrison Twp, MI, 48045			586-791-2587
North Sails	24422 Sorentino,Court, Clinton Twp, MI, 48035			586-792-7212
Quantum Sails	22600 Greater Mack, St Clair Shores, MI, 48080			586-776-1330

PHRF is a performance handicapping system. As the name implies, handicaps are based on the observed performance and speed potential of each type of boat in relation to other boats over a period of time in area races. These observed speed differences (for races and conditions that would be considered typical of this area) are then used to award time allowances between boats racing in the Performance Handicap Racing Fleet. (Note: Boats racing Jib and Main (JAM) are included in this category.)

While PHRF does not rely on measurements of your boat in the same way that IMS does, it will be necessary to validate that your boat fits known production standards, that your sails fall within stated size parameters and that nothing has been done to alter the size of the mast, boom, etc.

Any of several individuals who help to determine the PHRF handicap figures would likewise be happy to assist you with any questions about the overall process and validation.

PHRF handicapping takes place in open meetings and is an interactive process between boat owners and the individuals on the handicapping committee. We encourage you to become familiar with this process and to bring your questions and concerns to your elected representatives.

This section is included in our information package to acquaint beginners and to remind the more advanced racers of the system of checks and balances that assure prompt and equitable resolution to alleged incidents of infractions to the racing rules. The information applies to all races in this area (designated as Area E by US Sailing).

The original Protest Hearing is arranged by the club hosting the particular race. There will be a notice in the Sailing Instructions for that race giving the guidelines for time and place and any special conditions pertaining to filing a Protest against a competitor or the race management.

The DRYA provides a resource group of certified and apprentice judges to assist clubs in hearing Protests. The DRYA Protest Committee chairman is:

If requested, Commodore Thorpe will provide judges to assist your club and will answer any questions that you as an individual may have about the Protest process.

If you believe that the decision of a local protest hearing is not equitable, an appeal to the DRYA Appeals Committee is required by US Sailing. The DRYA Appeals Committee chairman will assist you in that process.

If you wish to request a hearing after the judgment of the Appeals Committee, you may contact the United States Sailing Association and they will give you information on how to proceed.

	Chief Handicapper Ratings Review -Ratings Data
	Dave Spiers
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