A Question About Spinnakers, Symmetry and Ratings

Here’s a question for those of you who are fluent in the language of the Performance Handicap Racing Fleet, aka PHRF, or know their rules of racing like the back of their blistered, sunspotted hands.

Jim Morgan, who races his Oceanside-based Ericson 35 MkIII Green Flash, wrote us with this question:

“I have an Ericson 35 Mk 3 that is raced with a bow-tacked asymmetric kite. The rating PHRF (in SoCal) assigns is based on a poled-out symmetrical kite, which offers a significant advantage on deep downwind runs, particularly windward/leewards.

“They either do not understand, or just don’t care, about the difference. (And they question why their membership is on a death spiral!)

“The sailmakers (Ullman, Quantum, etc.) tell me there should be a correction due to the inability to square back the kite. Have you guys ever covered this topic? Max Ebb?”

Anyone care to take a stab? Please comment below, or write us here.

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