2026 Ratings FAQ

These FAQs are not an official race document. They include relevant policies and procedures of the Northern California Performance Handicap Rating Fleet and Offshore Racing Rule authorities that are beyond the control of the Pacific Cup Yacht Club and that are subject to change. We will do our best to provide accurate information and update when appropriate. If the Notice of Race or the Sailing Instructions conflict with FAQs, the Notice of Race and the Sailing Instructions control.

We urge all interested skippers to pay particular attention to the FAQs regarding ORR, even if they have previously raced under PHRF. We believe the new Forecast Time Correction Factor methodology under ORR will help level the playing field and lead to better competition.

Questions Below

• What Rating Systems is the Pacific Cup using in 2026?
• What is different about 2026 vs. previous years?
• Can any boat choose to race ORR or PHRF?
• What’s the deadline for deciding which Rating System I’m choosing?
• Do I need to use a bay area measurer for my rating?
• I’m racing Double Handed, can I choose to race in the ORR fleet?
• What is ORR?
• What is F-TCF, and why does PCYC believe it will provide more accurate scoring for ORR boats?
• How is the “TCF” calculated in F-TCF?
• Does the “Scratch” time matter?
• Where do the polars come from?
• How is this different from prior races?
• Can you give an example of F-TCF calculations?
• Is there a simpler way to think about the TCF?
• How and when will the F-TCF values be communicated to the ORR divisions starting on a given day?
• Will the F-TCF be used to set or adjust ORR divisions?
• Who is performing the optimized routing and F-TCF calculations for the ORR fleet prior to the start of the race?
• How do I get an ORR rating?
• What’s involved in the measurement process?
• What’s the difference between a Partial and Fully measured ORR certificate?
• How much does an ORR rating cost?
• What’s the deadline for getting measured for ORR?
• What is a Certified PHRF Downwind (CPHRF-DW) rating?
• How do I get a Certified PHRF downwind rating?
• Do I need a Certified PHRF rating to race in PHRF?  Or can I just use my regular PHRF cert?
• What’s involved in the measurement process?
• How much does a Certified PHRF-DW rating cost?
• What’s the deadline for getting measured for a Certified PHRF certificate?
• A note for all racers

What Rating Systems is the Pacific Cup using in 2026?

For the 2026 race cycle we will be using ORR and Nor Cal PHRF Down Wind. Faster boats will race under ORR (see below). Otherwise, racers can choose the rating system they would like to compete under. There will be separate overall awards for the ORR and PHRF fleets.  PHRF boats and ORR boats will not be competing against each other, either in divisions or for the overall Pacific Cup trophies.

What is different about 2026 vs. previous years?

In previous race cycles, all boats received a Pacific Cup Handicap, allowing the overall Pacific Cup to be won by either PHRF or ORR racers. In previous race cycles, boats were assigned to either ORR or PHRF divisions based on their rated speed.  Faster-rated boats were assigned to ORR divisions, while slower and double-handed boats were assigned to PHRF divisions.

Can any boat choose to race ORR or PHRF?

Yes, except that boats with a PHRF-DW rating less than 531 or a Pacific Cup ORR rating greater than 1.00 must race in the ORR Fleet.

What’s the deadline for deciding which Rating System I’m choosing?

You must indicate your rating system choice when you register for the race. Thereafter, you may request a reassignment from one fleet to the other until February 15, 2026.   After Feb 15, 2026, there will be no changes between ORR and PHRF.

Do I need to use a bay area measurer for my rating?

No, any US Sailing certified measurer can measure your boat for either ORR or Nor Cal PHRF DW.

I’m racing Double Handed, can I choose to race in the ORR fleet?

Yes!  

What is ORR?

ORR is a Velocity Prediction Program (VPP)-based rating system. It relies on measurements of all the speed-affecting variables required to predict reliable handicaps. The ORR formula creates multiple ratings suitable for different course configurations and wind mixes. 

In 2026, PCYC will utilize a weather model-based rating called Time-on-Time Forecast Time Correction Factor (F-TCF).

What is F-TCF, and why does PCYC believe it will provide more accurate scoring for ORR boats?

F-TCF uses the wind forecast obtained on each ORR boat's start day to predict the wind the boat will sail in over the course, and thus her predicted course time (see below). 

PCYC believes that basing time corrections on the predicted performance of boats in the wind conditions forecasted on their start day will significantly level the playing field within each ORR division. If, for example, Boat A has a performance profile indicating it is fast in heavy air reaching and running, and Boat B (in the same division) has a performance profile indicating it is fast in light air reaching and running, those two boats will be rated based on the wind forecast. I.e., if the forecast is for light air, the Boat A’s F-TCF will be more favorable relative to Boat B’s, and vice versa if the forecast is for heavy air.

Similar benefits should apply to overall competition for ORR boats starting on different days if, as is often the case in the Pacific Cup, the wind forecasts for those days are different. If, for example, Boat A starts on Wednesday with an F-TCF based on a light air forecast, and Boat B starts on Friday with an F-TCF based on a windier forecast, the overall place for each boat would be determined by the comparison of its predicted elapsed time to its actual elapsed time. In other words, their competition would be based on how well each boat sailed in relation to its F-TCF, substantially reducing or eliminating the effect of changing wind conditions between the two start dates.  

How is the “TCF” calculated in F-TCF?

Each ORR boat’s polars and the upcoming weather GRIB file are fed into a routing program (e.g., Expedition) to calculate how long it “should” take to make the passage. Then we take each boat’s predicted elapsed time and divide a scratch time, e.g. 14 days, by that predicted time. So an ORR boat expected to take 14 days would have a TCF of 1. A faster boat, expected to take nine days, would have a TCF of 1.56. After the finish, each boat’s elapsed time is multiplied by its tcf to get its “corrected time” for scoring purposes.

Does the “Scratch” time matter?

No, it does not. It’s purely cosmetic and does not affect the outcome.

Where do the polars come from?

These are generated by the rating authority’s VPP (Velocity Prediction Program).

How is this different from prior races?

boat. We knew that there were considerable differences between assumptions and reality, but it was the best we had. The new system relies on the course and winds that each boat is predicted to sail and encounter as of the morning it starts the race.

Can you give an example of F-TCF calculations?

Imagine three boats:

• Pokey, with an F-TCF of .95
• Middy, with an F-TCF of 1.00, and
• Speedy, with an F-TCF of 1.15

They each complete a course in, say, 100 hours. A three-way tie at the finish. Then we apply the F-TCF. Pokey’s time becomes 95 hours. Middy stays the same, and Speedy is handicapped to 115 hours. Pokey wins!

Is there a simpler way to think about the TCF?

Yes. Many folks have found it easier to think in terms of minutes per hour adjustments (i.e., how much time do you give or get against another boat). We’ll publish a spreadsheet, but you can calculate how many get added or subtracted with the formula 60*(tcf-1). You subtract a negative value and add a positive value.

How and when will the F-TCF values be communicated to the ORR divisions starting on a given day?

As soon as F-TCFs have been determined, the Race Committee will email the F-TCF ratings in common file formats to all entrants, and provide via email an SMS link to downloadable files.

Will the F-TCF be used to set or adjust ORR divisions?

No. The F-TCF is only used to calculate corrected times. Division groupings will be decided by PCYC well before F-TCF values are calculated and will not be adjusted after F-TCF values are generated.

Who is performing the optimized routing and F-TCF calculations for the ORR fleet prior to the start of the race?

This will be specified in the Sailing Instructions. In the 2024 Newport Bermuda race, the USSailing Offshore office provided the F-TCF calculations. 

How do I get an ORR rating?

You must first apply for your rating with US sailing.  This will allow the US sailing office to determine what information is needed about your boat before starting your measurement process.  They will also assign a local measurer to your boat.  

The measurement of your boat starts with an offset file, which is a simplified 3D model of your boat.  If you have an unmodified production boat or have previously had an ORR or ORC certificate, it’s very likely this offset file already exists.  If not, an offset file will need to be created, either from designer lines or a 3D hull scan of your boat.  

What’s involved in the measurement process?

Measurement for ORR requires taking measurements for the following:

• Rig and spars, either in the boat or on the hard.  Rig weighing is optional.
• Righting moment, usually with an electronic inclinometer
• Freeboards: Distance of the shear line from the water at specified points.
• Propellor/saildrive, usually taken on the hard.
• Life Raft and Emergency steering weights (optional)
• Sail measurement certificates for the largest of each of your sail types.  Sail measurements are taken by a qualified measurer, often at a sail loft.

Righting moment and Freeboards are the most involved, as the boat must be in measurement trim as outlined in the ORR rulebook.  Also, environmental conditions must be calm for this measurement to take place - generally less than 10 knots of wind, and minimal current, surge, and wakes.    

What’s the difference between a Partial and Fully measured ORR certificate?

A partially measured ORR certificate substitutes sister ship data for some of the required measurements.  You may not be eligible for a Partially measured certificate if sufficient sister ship data does not exist.  A partially measured boat must submit all sail certificates.

How much does an ORR rating cost?

ORR certificate fees are LOA (length overall) -based.  The following pricing schedule is good for 2025 certificates.

Measurement fees are set by each measurer independently.  Typical measurement fee for a 37’ boat being measured in the Bay Area would be $1050, which combined with the certificate fee would be  $1380.  

What’s the deadline for getting measured for ORR? 
The deadline for submitting applications to US Sailing for ORR certificates is February 15, 2026. Boats should be measured before that.

The two numbers on a PHRF rating certificate that are most critical to a boat’s performance are displacement and waterline length. These numbers are notoriously inaccurate on a typical PHRF applications. Most people report “brochure’ displacement and waterline length. Actual displacements are almost always heavier than the brochure figure. Effective sailing length can be significantly different than waterline length, depending on the slope of the bow and stern overhangs.

In 2010, the NCPHRF committee introduced Downwind Ratings. This rating is formula based initially. In other words, a formula is used to suggest a rating and the Committee then decides whether to use that number directly or apply an adjustment based on performance. More accurate displacement and sailing length data will give the committee a better answer.

Because boats are usually heavier than reported, a certified rating is unlikely to affect your downwind rating in a negative way. You are likely to get 0-6 second more favorable rating. Since the standard PHRF rating is empirical, it is unlikely to change with a C-PHRF certificate; but the committee may be moved to make a change if the displacement is significantly affected.

How do I get a Certified PHRF downwind rating?

To get a Certified PHRF rating, you must apply through the San Francisco YRA.  Your boat must be weighed in measurement trim (essentially empty) by a certified US sailing measurer.  Some additional in-water measurements are also taken at this time.  If you hold a current ORCi or fully measured ORR certificate, your calculated displacement from these certs may be used in place of scale weight.

The Pacific Cup may organize a group weighing event at a local boat yard, which would reduce the cost of weighing and measuring significantly per boat.  

Do I need a Certified PHRF rating to race in PHRF?  Or can I just use my regular PHRF cert?

A Certified PHRF rating is not required to race in the Pacific Cup, but it is required to be eligible for the overall Pacific Cup PHRF trophy.  

What’s involved in the measurement process?

The boat is weighed on a calibrated crane scale. Bow and stern overhangs are measured with the boat in the water to help calculate waterline length.

How much does a Certified PHRF-DW rating cost?

The current fee from YRA for a Certified PHRF-DW rating is $125.  The fee to be measured will vary widely depending on what your method of weighing is.  In previous race cycles, the fee for measuring at a Pacific Cup weighing event was $400.

What’s the deadline for getting measured for a Certified PHRF certificate?

The deadline for submitting applications to the Northern California PHRF Committee at the Yacht Racing Association of San Francisco Bay February 15, 2026. Boats should be measured before that.

A note for all racers:

It is the responsibility of each skipper to understand the racing rules of their rating rule, and to review their rating certificate to ensure the information is correct.