An NSC member recently posed a question about the legality of moving an outboard motor from the transom and stowing it in the cabin. The wording in the PHRF-LO Handicapper’s Manual and other references is somewhat ambiguous and contradictory, however, the PHRF-LO Chief Handicapper has stated that an appropriate interpretation of the rules would be:
- “For outboard motor installations, it is assumed that the motor is retracted while racing; otherwise the ASP includes a credit per Table 7.6.2.* An outboard motor may be removed from the transom and stowed anywhere on the boat, without penalty.“
* A boat only gets a credit for an outboard if the outboard cannot be retracted, and is always immersed, on both tacks. Otherwise, boats get neither a credit, nor a penalty, if their outboard is either on the transom, or stored elsewhere, while racing.
Another member noted that some one-design classes (e.g. Kirby 25s and Sharks) have restrictions on removing outboards from the transom, and/or where the outboards may be stowed, if removed. Those one-design class rules would take precedence over PHRF rules.
NSC has proposed that the last sentence of section 5.1 of the Handicapper’s Manual be replaced with the above wording, with the addition of the caveat “unless prohibited or limited by the class rules“.
Racers are reminded that when racing under the PHRF-LO measurement rules (i.e. all PHRF, JAM, Women’s and Up-River racing), their boats must conform to their PHRF certificates and the PHRF-LO rules, as outlined in the PHRF-LO Handicapper’s Manual.
Any questions on this matter may be directed to the Club Handicappers.
Hugh Morrin
Updated 22 Jul 2013.
