A handicap system turns each boat's elapsed time into a corrected time, so boats of different speeds can be ranked against each other. Systems differ in what the rating measures and in whether the correction depends on the time sailed, the distance sailed, or the wind.
For the exact formulas and the inputs each system needs, see the handicap systems reference.
Every system below is a choice in each class's scoring settings on the race office's Class scoring tab.
Time on time and time on distance
Two ideas recur in almost every system.
- Time on time multiplies elapsed time by a factor. A slower boat gets a factor below 1. The allowance grows with the length of the race in time, so it is fairer when the wind is light and races run long.
- Time on distance subtracts an allowance of so many seconds per mile of course. The allowance is fixed by the course length, whatever the wind did, so it suits races where the course is known and the conditions were steady.
Several systems publish numbers for both, and some publish separate numbers for light, medium and heavy air, so the race committee can pick the one that suits the day.
PHRF
Performance Handicap Racing Fleet ratings are seconds per mile, assigned by a local PHRF committee from observed performance. A lower number is a faster boat.
- Time on distance: rating × course length is subtracted from elapsed time.
- Time on time: elapsed time × A / (B + rating). The constants A and B are set by the fleet; 650 and 550 are common.
- Triple number: some fleets publish separate ratings for light, medium and heavy air, or for windward-leeward and distance courses. The race committee chooses which set applies to each race.
- Pursuit: start times are staggered from the ratings and the course length so the boats should finish together. The first boat to finish wins, and no correction is applied afterwards.
ORC
The Offshore Racing Congress rule computes a velocity prediction for each boat from measurement, and the certificate lists allowances for many wind speeds and points of sail.
- Single number: General Purpose Handicap (GPH) as time on distance, or the certificate's inshore or offshore time-on-time number.
- Triple number: separate low, medium and high numbers, for time on time or time on distance. The race committee picks the band for each race.
- Performance curve scoring (PCS): the most accurate and most involved option. For each boat the software finds the wind speed at which its predicted time around the actual course equals its real time. That implied wind ranks the fleet. A constructed course lets you describe the legs so the prediction matches the course sailed.
- ORC Club certificates use the same scoring options with fewer measured inputs.
ORR and ORR-EZ
The Offshore Racing Rule, administered in the US, also comes from a velocity prediction. Its certificate gives time-on-time factors by course type (closed course, windward-leeward 50/50 or 60/40, ocean, and race-specific courses) and wind strength.
ORR-EZ is the simpler version. It publishes a grid of six course models (random leg, windward-leeward 50/50 and 60/40, and three point-to-point types) against six wind bands, each with a non-spinnaker variant, plus a GPH for time on distance. Choose the course model and the wind band for each race.
IRC
IRC certificates give a Time Correction Coefficient (TCC). Corrected time is elapsed time × TCC. IRC is time on time only.
CSA
The Canadian Sailing Association rule rates boats from measurement. Saildex scores CSA time on time, from the factor on the certificate.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth numbers are for dinghies and small keelboats, derived from the results of many clubs. Corrected time is elapsed time × 100 / the boat's number for US Sailing D-PN, or × 1000 / the number for RYA PN. Clubs often scale a number for wind strength.
Multihulls
SCHRS and Texel rate beach catamarans: corrected time is elapsed time divided by the SCHRS number, or elapsed time × 100 / the Texel rating. MOCRA rates larger multihulls with a time-on-time factor.
Your own formula
When a fleet uses a local system, choose an organizer time-on-time factor, seconds per mile, or a formula written from elapsed time, rating and distance. The formula is checked when you save it and shown with every corrected time.
Choosing a system
Use whatever your fleet already holds certificates for. If boats have certificates in more than one system, put each system in its own class and enter each boat in both; the same finishes will be scored twice, once per class.