If sailing one-design is not an option in your area and it's PHRF or nothing, then you must get involved in the handicapping process. Or at least try to enforce the ratings on the race course, something that almost never occurs. Even where PHRF grants one-design ratings they can and do allow you to violate those very rules and specs on which the rating is based. An easy example is our owner-driver rule-- PHRF is unlikely to change your rating if you let someone else drive. So find out what they allow. If they let you carry two #1s, two kites, or a carbon pole, get it in writing before you spend your $dollars.
I have little enthusiasm for adding two additional $2+K sails, increasing my inventory by 40%. Stricter replacement limits means that in addition to choosing which sail to use in a race, I also have to decide which to replace (light or heavy, ¾ or .5) before the next big regatta. All for maybe a couple seconds per mile, which in a PHRF race is unlikely to make a difference. Meanwhile the PHRF competition can buy new sails anytime they want.
Although I don't have any official say in these decisions any longer, it may be time to relax the material restrictions on the #1 and #2. The restrictions on the #3 were eliminated in 1997. Our Dacron #3 was new the previous year, so it took six years for us to switch to Kevlar. During the intervening years I don't think we were at a disadvantage, but the new #3 is a better sail. While I'm a supporter of keeping the #2, several people have suggested it be made optional since they never use it. I also think we are approaching the stage where it makes sense to switch to a carbon fiber pole. The cost differential is shrinking and most people have 20-25 year old poles.
[This message has been edited by Bob Rutsch (edited 10-08-2003).]
