When racing under EZ Rule, one of the biggest mindset shifts is learning how to compare your performance against other boats using more than just a single handicap number. Unlike traditional PHRF-style systems, EZ Rule is built on a VPP (Velocity Prediction Program) foundation, meaning it predicts how different boats perform across varying wind speeds and course types. That gives you more tools — and better data — to understand where you truly stand on the racecourse.
The first and simplest place to start is with the IR# and PHRF BM (Benchmark) numbers on your certificate. These are the easiest apples-to-apples comparison tools between boats. The IR# is a blended rating that behaves similarly to how you may have interpreted legacy PHRF results, while the PHRF BM aligns boats against a common yardstick (using the Farr 40 as a reference point). When you’re dockside wondering, “Are we supposed to beat that boat?”, these two numbers give you a quick relative comparison. Just remember: they are comparative tools, not direct conversions from older PHRF systems.
If you want a more detailed comparison — and this is where EZ Rule really shines — you should look at the Time-on-Distance (ToD) numbers found under the Polars or PHRF Ratings tab on the certificate. These are expressed in seconds-per-mile, making the math straightforward. If Boat A owes Boat B 6 seconds per mile and the race is 10 miles long, that’s a 60-second difference on corrected time. This allows you to compare boats specifically for the wind range and course configuration you’re racing — upwind-heavy, reaching, light air, heavy air — instead of relying on a single average number.
It’s also critical to understand that boat performance is not linear. Some designs thrive in light air and on reaches but lose relative performance as wind increases or the course becomes more upwind-focused. EZ Rule captures these shifts because its ratings are wind-speed and course sensitive. That means when comparing yourself to another boat, you should ask: “In today’s conditions, where should we be strong?” If you correct out behind a competitor in your wheelhouse conditions, that’s a performance issue. If you lose in their ideal conditions, the rating may simply be reflecting design differences accurately.
Finally, understand whether your event is scored Time-on-Distance (ToD) or Time-on-Time (ToT). With ToD, lower numbers are faster; with ToT (expressed as a TCF), higher numbers are faster. Under ToD, if you sail exactly to your rating, your corrected time should be zero. Negative corrected time means you beat your predicted performance. That makes EZ Rule an excellent feedback tool — not just a scoring system. By studying your certificate and comparing the right numbers for the right conditions, you move from guessing how you stack up to understanding precisely how and where you can improve.