Murray Yacht Sales Team’s outline of the GYA PHRF Handicap Changes
GYA ORA-1 PHRF Terms:
- GYA – Gulf Yachting Association
- ORA – Offshore Racing Association
- PHRF-Performance Handicap Rating Formula
- RMS – Regatta Management Solutions
- GPR – General Purpose Rating
- VPP – Velocity Prediction Program
- TOD – Time Over Distance
- TOT – Time Over Time
- W/L – Windward / Leward
- RLC – Random Linear Course
- Rating Certificate
- Full Released Certificates – Have been processed by the Offshore Racing Association’s Velocity Prediction Program to produce multiple ratings
- Provisional Certificates – “Have been factored from Full Released certificates by factors calculated for each of the 10 rating categories as they relate to the boat’s specific PHRF Net Rating.” Provisional certificates pass through the ORA to produce a Full Released Certificate. This includes developing hull lines (CAD) to process Data points to the VPP
UPDATE: GYA-PHRF Shutting Down End of 2024
Sailing technology has changed tremendously in the last 50 years and rating rules are no exception. Fortunately, each Gulf Coast ORR-Ez rating certificate includes a single number “PHRF Benchmark” that is analogous to legacy PHRF for a seamless transition
Why the change to ORA-1 PHRF?
The GYA has created the ORA-1 PHRF as a low-cost, closed-algorithm driven handicap system for casual local racing to more precisely project the potential performance of a boat in multiple wind speeds and race courses. The system incorporates the standard PHRF into its calculations, and is processed using the PHRF specifications.
Speed factors are determined from:
- Existing measurement databases
- Sail measurements
In addition to a ORR-1 general purpose rating, the boat will receive 4 wind and course adjusted Time over Distance (TOD) ratings for both spinnaker and non-spinnaker.
To generate these ratings, the PHRF data for each application is run through the ORA’s Velocity Prediction Program (VPP). This produces ratings intended to reflect the potential speed of the boat in various situations. This includes combinations of course and conditions such as Windward/Leward (W/L) or Random Leg Course (RLC)
PHRF Rating Certificate Hierarchy
Initial rating certificates will be Provisional Certificates.
Fully Released Certificates are ones that have been processed by the ORA’s VPP to produce multiple ratings
How provisional certificates become Fully Released certificates: A provisional certificate passes by the ORA’s Velocity Prediction Program, where they build out hull lines from the designer/manufacturer or developed manually by the ORA. The hull lines are used to develop data points to the VPP.
Time needed: 4 days
How to obtain a GYA ORA-1 PHRF rating certificate:
- Start with a GYA PHRF certificate for the boat
If you do not have a GYA PHRF certificate, begin by applying for one here (http://java46.homestead.com/OnLineApp.html)
- Next, with a GYA PHRF certificate in hand, complete an application for a GYA ORA-1 PHRF certificate.
This can be found online on http://gya-phrf.com/ where you can navigate to the “ORA/PHRF Appl.” on the left hand side. Clicking that button will download a spreadsheet application.
Alternatively, download the spreadsheet directly at this link - Submit Application
When you have filled out the GYA ORA-1 PHRF certificate spreadsheet with all of the boat’s details, send a copy to gya.phrf@gmail.com
- After your rating is approved, your certificate will be published online and can be found on the Regatta Management Solution (RMS) website (https://regattaman.com/certificate_page.php
This may take just a few days if your boat has been registered, or potentially longer if it is starting with completely new data
What to expect from the new ORA-1 PHRF system
We look forward to seeing this new performance handicap rating formula implemented across the Gulf Coast through the Gulf Yachting Association towards the goal of a more accurate and fair system of race handicapping. Utilizing conditional ratings allows for more fair matchups and for boats to be competitive relative to the other participants by taking in wind and course conditions that may be more favorable or less favorable to each.
GYA ORA-1 PHRF FAQ’S
The GYA will now use the ORA-1 PHRF which processes existing PHRF certificates through a Velocity Prediction Program (VPP) to produce multiple ratings in various wind speeds and race courses.
Once you have the GYA PHRF certificate in hand, use it to complete an application for a GYA ORA-1 PHRF certificate.
The GYA has created the ORA-1 PHRF as a low-cost, closed-algorithm driven handicap system for casual local racing to more precisely project the potential performance of a boat in multiple wind speeds and race courses. The system incorporates the standard PHRF into its calculations, and is processed using the PHRF specifications.
Full GYA PHRF Document Outlining Rules and Procedures
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