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Race Handicaps

Portsmouth Yardstick

The FLYC uses the Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) handicapping system, as managed by US Sailing, to facilitate the racing of diverse sailboat classes on a relatively level playing field. Individuals designated by the Race Committee have been trained and authorized to assign handicaps to members of the FLYC race fleet using a process defined in the FLYC Race Management Manual. Handicaps are assigned according to the following hierarchy:

  • A current handicap certificate from a body recognized by US Sailing.
  • A pre-computed handicap listed in the US Sailing Portsmouth Yardstick database.
  • A pre-computed handicap listed in the US Sailing PHRF database.
  • A derived (i.e., computed) handicap generated using the process in the PY Handicapper’s Manual.

The actual handicapping process is defined in detail in the FLYC Race Management Manual and has been codified in an Excel spreadsheet used by FLYC handicappers. An overview of the handicapping process can be found on the back of the FLYC Handicap Application.

NOTE: Race handicaps are determined by the Race Committee managing a particular race. When FLYC boats participate in invitational events hosted by other clubs, the hosting club’s race committee will make the final determination of a boat’s handicap rating.

Moss Factors

In addition to the PY handicaps assigned by the Race Committee, the FLYC utilizes a “golf handicap” (colloquially referred to as a “Moss Factor”) as a local handicap adjustment. The purpose of this adjustment is to make FLYC racing more competitive. This is done using a mathematical formula to reduce the range of corrected elapsed finish times for the race fleet. Additional benefits of this adjustment include:

  • Allow beginners to sail more competitively against seasoned veterans.
  • Provide seasoned, veteran racers with incentives to continue to improve their sailing skills.

Moss factors are cumulative through the sailing season and carry over from one year to the next.

Moss factors apply to a specific boat and owner. If a boat changes hands, the Moss factor for that boat is reset to zero.

Moss factors are used only for FLYC races. Per US Sailing rules, they cannot be used for inter-club events. Therefore, they are not used in invitational events such as the Commodore’s Cup or the Barge Race.

Moss factors, and the equations used to calculate them, are subject to periodic review by the FLYC Race Committee and can be changed in the following manner if deemed appropriate:

  • Equations used to calculate the Moss Factor shall be reviewed annually to ensure they are functioning as intended. Adjustments to the algorithm may only be made between race seasons.
  • Moss Factors assigned to individual boats shall be reviewed annually by the Race Committee. Adjustments should be limited to an annual basis between race seasons.

Exception: If it is discovered that the Moss Factor is being computed or is being assigned in a manner proven to be erroneous, the Race Committee shall make corrections as quickly as practical as specified by the current version of US Sailing Racing Rules of Sailing.

Registering to Participate in FLYC Racing

To maintain consistent standards and the fairest environment possible, the FLYC Race Committee requires that each boat wishing to participate in club-sponsored events register prior to the event in question. The goals of the registration process include:

  • Confirm the identification of the boat’s make, model, hull number, and other critical data.
  • Confirm rigging and sail measurements, along with other key performance parameters.
  • Generate an accurate racing handicap.
  • Maintain up-to-date contact information for each participant.

The registration process must be performed if any of the following conditions are met:

  • A new competitor or boat joins the race fleet.
  • A boat’s ownership changes.
  • The sail inventory for a boat changes. (E.g., new sail, different sail, etc.)
  • Modifications are made to a boat’s rigging or spars. (E.g., new spinnaker or whisker pole.)
  • At the beginning of each race season.

The process is not meant to be burdensome. Where possible, the registration process will be abbreviated to include only those factors that have changed since the last assessment for each vessel.

If a competitor believes the handicap they have been assigned is erroneous, they are required to bring this up with the Race Committee as soon as the discrepancy is detected. A Race Committee member will meet with them at the earliest opportunity to verify all the data used to generate the handicap as well as to step through the process with the competitor.Please note that, because US Sailing is the sanctioning body for sailboat racing in the United States, only data sources recognized by US Sailing can be considered when computing handicaps.