D-Zero

Not if the rest of the cacophony of dinghies are racing on averagely calculated numbers they don't.... The situation as currently stands is simple- if you are really, really fussed about whatever unofficial number you can get someone to agree to in the short term, DO NOT BUY a newly released dinghy.  

The RYA are the only organisation that could offer a pre-EN, but the question is, should they?  At present the system is 100% based on actual race returns. If they start issuing ENs before they get the data, then all the 'gerrymandering' and commercial bias type accusations start to gain some basis for rational consideration... even if the guys do their level best to remain impartial.

1)Hence the suggestion that new classes accept they are excluded from the chocolates for a while .. at least until there are at least 250+ races being considered.
2) Agree on not buying ANY boat based on its apparent or inital handicap number.... of course !
3) I beg to differ on the RYA being the only org. suited to or capable of developing an alternative number system....  er well lets think ?  GL for a start maybe ?  Their derived approach is already more widely used .. outside of routine club racing that is ... nearly ALL larger handicap events already plus use of the GL numbers is gathering momentum within Summer 'sailing weeks'.  
4) We already have accusations of bias and 'vested interest' thrown around at new class competitors and producers already  .... So the assessments  of some individual and organisations is OK to knock ?  ... yet our 'national authority' still seems disinterested and is 'above it all' even when still proposing numbers based on minute sample sizes ?  Oh yes do remember the CA's do pay for that service as well btw.. you don't get an EN without RYA affiliation and you get NOTHING prior to that not even relevent guidance or involvement - or in my experience even replies to reasonable email queries or phone messages left. 

The GL handicappers and Sailjuice in contrast gave us something to try early on and were always very supportive - not because we paid anything more than regular entry fees - but because they want to see the Sailjuice events grow and to ensure good quality racing.   If you have not raced under this sytem by now .. get out there this winter !

Mike L.

... and we end up with 100 different PYs all over the UK ... this is a situation screaming for centeralised leadership. That graph Peaky shared a while back seemed a pretty fair predictor ...

Is it really worth spending x grand on a new boat in order to beat your mates on a Sunday afternoon prior to the pub? If it is and if you enjoy that boat just get on and enjoy it.

They are nice, having had a quick play in one I liked it a lot aside from the sheet loads which I felt were very heavy...

except some idiot designed it for humans with three arms....