Fleet Captain - Introduction

[Bee]

... In the reviews, we do take in consideration sail age and condition, boat bottom condition, and mechanics of the boat itself.

Do you mean "we do not take in consideration sail age and condition, boat bottom condition, and mechanics of the boat itself." ?
Nor do you take into consideration the skill level of the crew.

My question is: Will boats that keep their bottoms spotless, have great crews, reduce weight as much as possible, and have relatively new and modern hi-tech sails be punished (for example a reduction in their PHRF rating) because they do? I certainly hope not.  This has been done in the past and in some cases has resulted in the destruction of a promising class.  However if they are to be punished do it early and give advanced warning so they can, perhaps, find other alternatives.

PHRF ratings are based on the assumption that each boat with a rating is in top notch condition with racing crew and  racing quality sails.  It appears to me that these ratings are also somewhat age based.  Generally older boats are going to be less competitive then more modern rigs. Sailing technology has changed considerably in the last 20 years. So, yes,  age matters but, in my opinion, it is not the most important aspect of sailing at a top race level.  One of the best comments I ever heard came from Vic Forsyth (Aftershock):  He said that whatever happens you start losing the race at the dock.  When you get to the dock you really must have both you and your boat as close to racing perfection as possible.

As a J/Boat owner, I can understand not wanting to compete against a J. J/Boats have to some degree made technological improvements, or maybe even better, have just kept up with the technological changes to some degree. Nevertheless they are no where near the all out speed demons produced by companies like Melges (M32) or foilers. Nevertheless many of the older J/Boats (J29, J35, J40, J44, J46) are still very competitive when sailed well.  People like Tom Sutton, Dave Christianson, Albrecht Goethe, Bill Zartler, Chris Lewis, Steve Rhyne, O. J. Young, John Barnett, Pedro Gianotti, Jay and Jody Lutz, Farley Fontenot, Terry Flynn, By Baldridge and many others have the ability to sail just about anything at a race level I can only dream about.  They are the kinds of sailors that know how to win and know what to do to make winning possible.  They are also the guys who can teach you how to do it.

Take a sailmaker to lunch.

[STuma]

... In the reviews, we do take in consideration sail age and condition, boat bottom condition, and mechanics of the boat itself.

Do you mean "we do not take in consideration sail age and condition, boat bottom condition, and mechanics of the boat itself." ?
Nor do you take into consideration the skill level of the crew.

I was going with a different thought process, but I see your point.. My thought was that when a rating is under review, we consider and evaluate the age of the sails, condition of the boat and bottom rather than just awarding a credit towards the rating.  Adjustment is not given for sails and boat condition not in race condition. If someone has 5 year old sails and thinks they should get a rating credit because they are not as fast as another boat, we consider this factor when reviewing the boat's performance. We take in consideration all factors of the boat's racing condition. When discussing a boat's rating, we do evaluate and consider the crew's skill level also. if a boat is sailed well, we acknowlege that and vice versa. My opinion of a boat in race ready configuration; fair and clean bottom (practically dry sailed condition), sails are to be less than two years old, and all hardware is updated and in perfect working condition. All adjustments must be operational and efficient to use. Crew is one that has years of experience with each other and able to perform each job without conversation and/or debate. There could be some exceptions, but IMHO.

This is what I expect, not necessarily representative of the POV of the committee.

[Bee]

I do not see how this can be done under normal PHRF rules.  Please Explain.

... In the reviews, we do take in consideration sail age and condition, boat bottom condition, and mechanics of the boat itself.

Do you mean "we do not take in consideration sail age and condition, boat bottom condition, and mechanics of the boat itself." ?
Nor do you take into consideration the skill level of the crew.

I was going with a different thought process, but I see your point.. My thought was that when a rating is under review, we consider and evaluate the age of the sails, condition of the boat and bottom rather than just awarding a credit towards the rating.  Adjustment is not given for sails and boat condition not in race condition. If someone has 5 year old sails and thinks they should get a rating credit because they are not as fast as another boat, we consider this factor when reviewing the boat's performance. We take in consideration all factors of the boat's racing condition. When discussing a boat's rating, we do evaluate and consider the crew's skill level also. if a boat is sailed well, we acknowlege that and vice versa. My opinion of a boat in race ready configuration; fair and clean bottom (practically dry sailed condition), sails are to be less than two years old, and all hardware is updated and in perfect working condition. All adjustments must be operational and efficient to use. Crew is one that has years of experience with each other and able to perform each job without conversation and/or debate. There could be some exceptions, but IMHO.

This is what I expect, not necessarily representative of the POV of the committee.

[JayZ]

I believe in short that Scott is saying  PHRF assumes a well prepped boat and crew as the benchmark.  If your boat is not well prepped and your crew sucks work on that rather than asking for or expecting a rating adjustment.

[STuma]

I believe in short that Scott is saying  PHRF assumes a well prepped boat and crew as the benchmark.  If your boat is not well prepped and your crew sucks work on that rather than asking for or expecting a rating adjustment.

BINGO...

[ShakenNotStirred]

Maybe next time run it through the JayZ translator.