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Organization of Multihull Racing in the Pacific Northwest

This page is dedicated to multihull racing in the Pacific Northwest, primarily, but not limited to, the Puget Sound area around Seattle.  

3 Meter Racing

We continue to have the only multihull racing in Puget Sound where you can tell who won the race by who crossed the finish line first.  One can also receive immediate feedback on the effectiveness of his or her tactics and sailing technique. 

Beach Cat Racing

Beach cats are not specifically excluded from PHRF-NW requirements, which includes a minimum length of 18 feet (5.48 meters). A skipper may be able to meet Category IV requirements.  The difficulty will come in finding an event allowing Category IV multihulls to participate.

Most area beach cat racing is done in one design fleets.  The local Hobie cat fleet may have some races with an open class using Portsmouth handicapping.

PHRF-NW Racing

The Pacific Handicap Racing Fleet's mission is to promote sailboat racing in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia by maintaining an equitable system of handicap ratings of member boats for the use of yacht clubs and other sponsors of sailboat races.

Because of the broad spectrum and diverse nature of multihulls, PHRF-NW has designated that a single handicapper rate all Northwest multihulls.

Basic requirements for PHRF-NW multihull racing are:

1.  Captain's Membership in a PIYA-affiliated sailing club.

• The Pacific International Yacht Association is an umbrella organization conducting sailboat racing under US Sailing and recognized International Yacht Racing rules.
• NWMA membership qualifies captain as NWMA is a PIYA affiliate club.
• Other affiliate clubs are located in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.  NWMA is a PIYA member club and draws it's membership from a similar area.
• Please see the PIYA web site for a list of member clubs, as well as information about Sail Numbers & Category Certificates (see below).   

2.  PIYA registered sail number for the boat

• Sail numbers are normally unique to the PIYA area.  Contact T.K. Wegg for sail number assignment.  See the PIYA website for instructions on contacting him.
• Must be applied to all sails used during races.
• Individual races may allow substitution of other sails.  See specific race Sailing Instructions (SI).  

3.  Current PIYA Category Certificate

• Intended primarily as a checklist of minimum equipment to ensure safe racing, this list is organized by ORC Category. Most local races require Category III-level equipment. Check the SI's for each race for specific requirements.
• The Category Certificate is available from most PIYA Clubs, starting January.  OR, you may get it from the PIYA website.
• For early-season races, a prior-year Category Certificate will suffice.
• Must be completed & signed & kept on board during each race.  

4.  Current PHRF-NW Rating Certificate for the boat

• Membership in the northwest Pacific Handicap Racing Fleet includes rating certification, and is per calendar year.
• See the PHRF-NW link above for a Application/Rating form and current membership fees.

Seattle Area Racing Council (SARC)

PHRF-NW member clubs publish the consolidated SARC calendar to avoid conflicts between events.