Melges 24 Charleston

The head of PHRF, Paul Ansfield, sent me a list showing the Melges 24 PHRF Ratings from all of the U.S. PHRF Fleets (PDF file).

Ansfield said:

1. The column labeled “ExPCd” (Experience Code) shows how much experience a local PHRF fleet has with rating Melges 24s. Fleets with a C have the most experience. (I assume, therefore, that fleets with C Codes should carry the most weight when reviewing the rating in Charleston.)

2. The column labeled “YR” shows the Year of Report to the U.S. PHRF governing body. (I believe this is the most recent year a particular PHRF fleet changed the rating for the Melges 24 and told U.S. PHRF about the change.)

Ansfield also noted:

3. The handicaps for Melges 24s have a wide range (81-105).

4. There is not National Handicap. Handicaps relate to race conditions and the nature of the fleet. When a boat “gets its conditions”, it usually does extremely well.

From a quick review of this data plus my own sense of the rating, I don’t see how a downward rating change is justified. The 87 rating in Charleston is already among the lowest in the country, especially for fleets with a C level of experience with the boat.

At the December CORA Board meeting, Dave Anderson was asked to set up a Rating Committee to review the PHRF Rating for the Melges 24 in Charleston Harbor, SC. Dave is the head of PHRF in Charleston. He expects to assemble a Rating Committee in December or January.

Dave promised to invite the Melges 24 owners to the Rating Committee meeting so we can make our case about why the rating should or should not be changed. Owners of other CORA Class A boats (such J-105s, J35s and Olson 30s) will also be invited.