Grafham Grand Prix

Of course it's not as easy as just reflecting the results from single boats in single events, however the fact that the number of Merlins all finished at the front gives you more statisical significance with respect to the analysis of the data they present.

ie. the more boats that repeat a feat the more likely it is that a common factor was at work. (in fact statiscally you would propose a null hypothosis but we don't have that long)  Since the PY is based on performance not boat speed you should be able to factor out the fact it was a strong entry and modify the Py appropriatley as a result.

Originally posted by Scooby_simon Is low wind good conditions for Merlin's?  All the cats were stuffed as it was light.  THIS is why cats use measurement based SCHRS or Texel.

I wouldn't be suprised if Merlins were good in light to moderate. Narrowish waterlines, low wetted surface hulls etc, they're very much that style of boat.

Measurement handicap doesn't seem to work for dinghies. Too many variations. Cats all seem astonishing similar in basic dynamics. It amazes me that a design as old as the Tornado is still pretty much thereabouts. Dinghies of that age are hopelessly off the pace.

In defence of the Merlin it is a good all round boat that seems to sail well in nearly all conditions, and clearly the standard in the class is high. But, the fact that so many people reckon the Merlins are generously handicapped can't be a co-incidence surely? The Merlin handicap has hardly changed despite several advances in design (bigger kite, carbon everything etc).

The PY system is too badly supported by club returns for these changes to be picked up. But the fact that it iis badly supported is more the fault of the ystem than the clubs. The RYA need to be more proactive in getting returns and amending PYs. It is far too easy for the powers that be to sit back and say "its only guidance, you can change the numbers if you like". Pete Vincent wrote a very good article about this in DSM a few months back.

PS Merlin hulls weigh 98kg, often requiring them to carry about 20kg of lead.  How many of boats don't carry this when competing in non-class events such as the GGP and BM?  That's a potentially huge gain.

PPS If I spent £20k on a new Merlin I'd want it to be generously handicapped too!

IMHO the reason Merlins get bad-press on handicaps is that they are a bunch of gypsies! (although they're definitely the type who travel in mercedes with laptops to prepare legal statements or accounts than the white-van "do you drive way mate?" type!!!)

......  they travel like no other class I can think of and there are good travelling Merlins "groups" in the north and south so they get to all the main events.  The standard of sailing in both travelling groups is extremely high (as you'll see if you've ever sailed against them) and they are helped by the fact that the boats have evolved in rig technology and sail plan much faster than in hull/foils (canterbury tails derivatives dominate) so in light, medium or even strong conditions they do very well - it's only when it's really blowing or the course is dominated by long reaching legs that they suffer, if it's upwind/downwind over medium size (i.e. non open water) legs then they'll be bl$$dy tough to beat if sailed well


....as for £20k for a new woody MR, well value is all in the eye of the beholder isn't it?  some of us look at people who drive new Ferrari's/Lambo's/Porsches off the forecourt as idiots who have more money than sense given you struggle to do more than 60 on most roads in the uk anytime except the dead of night, but to them its £kkk's spent well

Strange - did you see how these results were not repeated at the Bloody Mary - often the same boats/helms, admittedly in slightly more wind.

Some observations With GGP (S = Slow Fleet, M=Med, F=Fast) places in parenthesis:

Merlin Rockets did OK but were scattered through the fleet with places such as 14 (S4), 18 (S5) , 20 (S2), 24 (S4), 26, 28, 30, 36, 39, 76, 84, 113,124, 136, etc

505:  48 I Pinnell (M1), 66 (M4)  69 (M2),

B14: 72 (F2), 73 (F5), 100, 125, 134, etc.

It looks like the foiling Moth & Int 14 had a good day at QMSC in those wind conditions.

Bob