Dinghy Show 2017

Originally posted by JimC Originally posted by ColH Are there still classes where 'equalisation' actually works? Were there ever? While the owners of some classes thought it worked (which admittedly is 85% of the game) precious few of the equalised classes were actually much good,and you have to wonder if carting extra lead about was part of the reason why.

It doesn't seem to do too much harm in the RS800. It means two fair size blokes don't have so far to stumble across the boat.

The problem with reefing single sail planing boats IME is that if you can possibly hang on to the extra rag upwind then you'll benefit like crazy on the next downwind. Its not really until the big rags give control problems downhill that its fast changing down. That being the case then you're not going to be comfortable in serious breze anyway.

Originally posted by ColH Originally posted by RS400atC Trouble is, a lot of racing is below F4 and the only way you are going to get a PY of below 950 on a single sail rig is to have a big sail. It is a shame that reefing 600-style was not copied. Perhaps on a class with choice of sails, allowing reefs of smaller increments would be interesting?.... Choice of reefs would seem to tend back to the RS600/Blaze/LaserX000 attempts to rate rack width to crew weight? I know the Blaze has dropped that, though not sure about the other two. Or do you mean just a simple/efficient reefing method that any crew can apply as they wish? Anyone else done the 80s RYA reefing of a Wayfarer, where you roll in the sail bag to use as the kicker....? T.....

Definitely free choice. Performance equalisation is a completely separate issue IMHO.

Old-skool reefing, been there, suffered that.
Even the old team racing trick of setting Firefly sails on Larks, or the Ents with their small sails option at Southport 24hr race is a very poor second to the 600 system, because you don't get the mast bend or gust response.

Trouble is, a lot of racing is below F4 and the only way you are going to get a PY of below 950 on a single sail rig is to have a big sail. It is a shame that reefing 600-style was not copied. Perhaps on a class with choice of sails, allowing reefs of smaller increments would be interesting?
Maybe what we are avoiding saying is that no one single hander class can cover even a 2-sigma variation of adult helm sizes?

Originally posted by Cirrus ... Slightly more seriously your spreadsheet is not far out as to a likely PN for 'Fire' (This is NOT an endorsement of your calcs btw - it might just spit this one out coincidentally) ... RYA don't seem to have any numbers (yet) and GL handicappers are provisionally applying a (slightly punitive) trial number of  '1050' - most clubs that are prepared to use their own brains seem to centre around a local figure of  '1065'ish  - so Supernova / Aero 7 country.