Do I need a rating certificate? No.  Cruisers do not need a rating certificate.  However, you must provide the Race Committee with sufficient information so that we can assign a rating to you. You will need to fill out the on-line handicap form.  You will receive a link to the form via email when you register. Be sure to save your “thank you” email so you can return to the link when you have the measurements you need to complete the handicap form.  (Back to top)

Are there going to be Manufacturers’ Trophies this year? Yes.  There will be several manufacturers’ trophies this year.  The specific trophies and criteria often change after the Notice of Race is posted.  We will update the Web site with information about additional trophies later, or we will provide additional information in the Sailing Instructions. (Back to top)

Why is my Cruising Class rating different this year?  Cruising Class ratings are based on observed performance of that boat model.  When a boat model is brand new, there is no past performance on which to base a rating, so the initial rating may be something of a guess.  After a period of time, the rating may be changed to reflect performance that has been observed for a few years.  (Back to top)

My boat has been around for years, but my rating changed.  Why? If your boat model has been around a long time, a change in your rating is more likely because you provided different information this year….  For example, you may have added a folding propeller instead of a fixed propeller, or you may have a larger jib than you declared last year.   If you think that it may be a mistake and you have double-checked the information you provided to us, then email the Principal Race Officer to get a clarification. (Back to top)

Why is my rating different from another boat that is the same model as mine? Ratings take into account several different items, like propeller type and sail size.  If your boat is absolutely identical to another boat, with the same sails, propeller, etc., then there may be a mistake in your rating.  In that instance, you should contact the Principal Race Officer so we can track down the discrepancy. (Back to top)

Why am I in a division with a boat that is much faster than mine? We try to put similar boats together, but sometimes we have some orphans who don’t fit anywhere.  If there is no clear rating band to place a boat, we will try to group boats with similar displacements or waterlines. (Back to top)

Why can’t I be in the same division with my friend? If we know that boats want to race against each other, we can try to accommodate them.  If you come up with eight boats who want to race together, we can give you your own division, but you must notify us before the entry deadline.  (Back to top)

Is there a motoring allowance? No.  This is a sail boat race.  In the past, the race started on Friday, and some motoring was allowed in case the winds were light and people were not able to finish in time to make it to the awards ceremony.  The race now starts on Thursday; motoring is not allowed, except for emergency purposes.  (Note: While you may disagree, the Race Committee does not consider getting to Port Aransas in time to party Friday night, to be an emergency!)   (Back to top)

Can I just sail down to party and not enter the race? All available dockage at City Marina is reserved for registered regatta participants.  A number of power boats cruise down to Island Moorings for the festivities, so they may be willing to accommodate you.  However, if you are considering sailing down, why not enter the race?  Harvest Moon Regatta^® is one of the best deals going, and the proceeds go to a good cause.  So sign up and join the fun… even if you are not a serious racer. (Back to top)

Can I reserve a slip with electricity?  All slips at City Marina are assigned to arriving regatta participants on a first come, first served basis; late arrivals will be required to "raft up."  Island Moorings will take slip reservations. (Back to top)  

Why is the Bacardi Cup fleet racing under a different handicap system?  A PHRF- like system is used for the cruising fleet because it is a simple one number system that makes it easy to calculate whether you are ahead, or behind, another boat.  It is based on observance of how a particular boat model will perform on a windward leeward course in 12 knots of wind.  The ORC Club system is a more complicated multiple number system based on each boat's polars.  It is used for offshore racing because it can adjust for different wind conditions and different points of sail. (Back to top) 

Why don’t you use ORC Club for everyone?   A simple one number system makes it easy to calculate whether one boat is beating another boat.  Under a PHRF- like system, for every mile of the race, the two boats always have the same seconds-per-mile difference between them.  Its simplicity makes it easy to understand for those who rarely race.   (Back to top)

How is my Cruising Class rating determined? The Race Committee will start with a base rating for your particular boat model, based on PHRF-rated sister ships.  We’ll start with a Galveston Bay sister ship if there is one.  If there is not, then we will look for sister ships in areas that have similar conditions, such as Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and Long Island Sound.  Once we have a base rating, we will make adjustments based on the information provided. (Back to top)

What adjustments are made to Cruising Class ratings? The base rating assumes that you have a folding or feathering propeller, standard rigging, standard-sized sails, and a standard-sized spinnaker pole.  If any of those assumptions are incorrect, your rating will be adjusted. (Back to top)

Is there a rating change if I don't use a spinnaker? We have adopted the following formula to calculate a nonspinnaker offset:

I don’t have a feathering or folding propeller.  How will that affect my rating? We will add three seconds for a two-bladed fixed propeller.  We will add six seconds for a three-bladed fixed propeller.  We will subtract six seconds if you have an outboard motor. (Back to top)

I have a roller furling mainsail.  Will that change my rating? We will add 12 seconds if you have a furling mainsail.  (Back to top)

I don’t have a standard-sized jib.  How will that affect my rating? We will add 3 seconds for a jib that is less than 140% of J.  We will subtract 3 seconds if your jib is more than 155% of J but not more than 165% of J.  We will subtract 6 seconds if your jib is larger than 165% of J. (Back to top) 

J?  What is J?  They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here is a picture:
 

I have a lot of added cruising equipment on my boat.  How will that affect my rating?  It won’t.  The simple PHRF rating system assumes a standard displacement for each model.  Optional cruising equipment such as air conditioners and generators are not included.  Under ORC Club, your extra weight might be factored in, and its effect on the stability of your boat might be factored in, but ORC Club uses a computer to do its ratings; the Race Committee uses a piece of paper and a pencil.  (Back to top)

My boat has two sails, a jib and a main.  Is “two” my sail number?  Probably not.  That is how many sails you have, but it is not what we mean when we ask for your sail number.  When several boats cross the finish line within seconds of each other the Race Committee needs a quick way to note the finishing order.  It is easier to look at a large number on the head sail than to read a small name on the back or side of a boat.  Because of this, the Racing Rules of Sailing require boats to have a large unique sail number on every sail.  But the Harvest Moon Regatta has a large number of cruisers who rarely race, so we do not require every participant to have sail numbers added to every sail.  If you don’t have a number, you must carry a sign with your assigned sail number on it, and display that sign as you cross the finish line. (Back to top)