PHRF sucks. It really does. First and foremost it is because the whole premise is weak. It isn’t so much that ratings are based on performance as opposed to measurement, it is that ratings and other rules are, in our experience, issued and enforced by people who either have their own biased agendas, or simply don’t have the experience or competency to do so fairly or correctly.

 We’ll gladly admit that the realm of our experience resides in Southern California, and in particular San Diego, but we doubt San Diego has an exclusive on idiocy.

 A great case in point: There is a rule out here called the MIR rule (Marine Industry Racer) by which professionals are defined and the rule was ostensibly created to not only limit the number of professionals on board a particular boat, but to keep them from steering boats that are not their own. A good, sensible approach, particularly in light of the fact that even at the very top end of the sport,  from IMS Championship regattas to Farr 40’s, Mumm 30’s and 1D 35’s, pros are severely restricted.

 Wouldn’t it make perfect sense then, given that PHRF is basically a fleet for Weekend Warriors, that MIR limitations be put in place, AS THE PHRF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA RULEBOOK CALLS FOR? Apparently, no. You’d be hard pressed to find a single race or regatta where the MIR rule is in effect.

 It certainly makes one ask the question: “Why the hell not?” Why would you eliminate a rule that is designed to level the playing field?  Here’s how the powers that be have decided to un-level the playing field in San Diego: sheer incompetence, gross self-interest, cronyism and some of the worst of ass-kissing ever seen.  Apparently if you are, say, a famous America’s Cup sailor, you can influence those that are, say, starry-eyed sycophants into eliminating a rule that directly affects your bizarre desire to cherry pick in the Weekend Warrior Fleet.  We’d like nothing better than to name those that are guilty of using not only bad judgement, but have also acted in a clear conflict of interest, but we’re not interested in being sued. Let’s just say hero worship is alive and well in San Diego.

 Then there are the professional sailors who have willfully and knowingly broken or wrongly dodged the rule by outright lying in the protest room. We know, we were there.

 And why? Because very often, PHRF is the default fleet. With the demise of measurement handicap racing, and the lack of big boat one design racing in many areas, PHRF is the only place a lot of those who make money from yacht racing can go. Is it right that pros who do not own  boats have been seen steering in PHRF races? Of course not. If pros insist on participating it should be in limited numbers and in a coaching/tactical capacity.

 But the blame here really goes to PHRF for allowing this to take place in the first place. Instead of firmly enforcing a rule that clearly helps the majority, they eliminate it, and in so doing, they hurt Joe 12 Pack and only help those privileged few who really need no help at all. While we're sure there are good people in PHRF trying to do the right thing, it is because of nonsense like this that PHRF ultimately sucks!