A few thoughts on bandits

Re the Miracle......
It just so happens that I had to go to Hunstanton as I had been booked as guest speaker for one of their evening events. I hate doing these things at a rush, as I much prefer to set up early and relax, so I had ample opportunity to watch two of their races and then take an extended stroll around the dinghy park. I was well impressed, there were some very nicely finished and fitted out boats there and the popular sail makers within the class have clearly put a lot of thought into the rigs. I had a strong sense of being at a 'two person Solo' event which is little surprise given that both are Jack Holt boats. Okay, you don't scream along under an acre of sail, but the racing was close throughout the fleet and with little in the way of boatspeed advantage, 'good' racing skills are at a premium. If your boat from you recent H&S race came third in that fleet, then I would say that you are seeing evidence of a good boat, well sailed, rather than banditry.

This does highlight one of the other variables that some of the nay sayers about the PY system seem all to quick to overlook. Many of these so called 'bandit' fleets are good enough to retain their crews, year after year. I covered Merlin Week at Salcombe and saw crews there who were in the 20th or more visit to the venue. Good boats do not only retain their followers, but this long term commitment certainly raises the performance level. It might be different for the sailmaker jockey who hops from class to class, but that is unlikely to impact on PYs.

I can but say again that the Miracles were enjoying a good week and appeared to be having no shortage of fun. The venue was not one of their more popular locations, so numbers had slipped to the mid 30s, their normal Nationals turnout is around the 40 boat mark. In comparison to some of the other more 'highly valued' classes, I would say that the Miracle fleet, far from being bandits, are actually a very good benchmark of the UK dinghy sailing scene.

Dougal

Originally posted by iGRF Like those who use the V3000 knowing full well it's advantages..

Yes I saw their position and though the same thing.

Gordon

Exactly right - we all have to view handicap arcing as what is it - usually not to be taken too seriously because some days you (and your boat)will be favoured and some days not.

Any competent helm will know how well they have sailed and not get too worked up about overall results.

Most of these 'bandits' are simply well sorted boats that are sailed well.

Admittedly many boats have favoured conditions but lots of the handicap moaners simply don't sail their own boats well enough.

There is so much nonsense talked about handicaps on this forum - i.e suggesting that a Laser is a good handicap boat - typically it gets beaten by certain boats in light winds and trapeze boats etc in windier ones. Its generally ok in a mix of conditions but because its not particularly suited to any particular conditions it will rarely win a handicap event overall.

If you sail handicap races just accept that sometimes it will be your day (if you are good enough) and sometimes it wont.

I don't think Roosters Project X got past the Styrofoam stage, however can see a a smidgen of likeness in the RS Aero and the D-0