[paulk]

According to the PHRF books I have, the San Juan 7.7 rates from 186 to 207, depending upon where you are and the version you have. J/24''s are more tightly controlled, so range between 160 and 174. In any case, you should blow the San Juan out of the water most of the time. PHRF ratings are based on boats doing a triangular course on average, so on that sort of course you should beat them by at least twelve seconds a mile (186-174=12), or by as much as 26 seconds a mile (186-160=26) depending on what your different ratings actually are. You should definitely be beating them boat for boat; i.e. finishing ahead of them. If they''re finishing close enough behind you to win on corrected time, they''re sailing better than you are, which is what the rating system is supposed to show. Good luck!