A personal observation on the L-36. The handicap doesn't matter that much. If there is a lot of wind and your boat is in good shape, you will win. If there is little wind, you will lose. The handicaps below reflect this. Areas of light wind carry a handicap of 218. SF Bay with its strong winds give 150. That is a huge difference. In strong winds I can beat boats with handicaps of 126 boat for boat. In light winds, they might be 90 minutes ahead in a 90 minute race.

UNITED STATES PERFORMANCE HANDICAP RACING FLEET this number (126) is uncalibrated and should not be used -- sorry for posting it. I think it is a typo as well -- should have been 162. The site says it is updated several times a year but I know it has not been updated in the last 2 years. All they do is change the date on the cover page.

Northern California PHRF Ratings 162 is not referenced and of unknowns origin. I emailed the list owner to get clarification and got no response. Seems like a good number to me though.

NCPHRF Base Rating Report 150 is official for Northern California set many years ago by Leda II after winning the PHRF championship the year before and being protested. Leda and David are very fast. A very high bar for all.

West Vancouver Yacht Club 188 has been used for several years up north by Bandit

PHRF of So California 174 is the handicap in Southern California enjoyed by Electra

It is also interesting to note that they give an extra 15 for non spinnaker down south. (LPW36 15)

2009 Swiftsure Race gave Winsome III a handicap of 218. He finished last, probably had some problem.