PY Numbers for 2017

Is the best way of thinking, that it does a job to provide some sort of racing. Everyone knows it is not 100% accurate, but its OK. Every time I do it, I try to beat the boats in my class, or if someone is in a quicker boat I try to catch them. Doesnt always work like that though...

Originally posted by Do Different For the life of me I can never understand the intensity of these PY debates. It obvious that any form of handicapping will always have flaws when related to specific situations, unless mired in endless variables it can only ever be about averages.

I suspect the strength of feeling depends to some degree on where folk sail. Lake sailors are less likely to be irked by a lake based set of numbers. I have no idea where you sail by the way.

I (and a few others who sail in tide) reckon the Topper handicap is wrong by 100-150 points down on the south coast. Not good when the sport clearly needs to attract and encourage younger participation.

I ran a series of races late last season and it was heartbreaking to see a really keen and promising young lad in a Tera getting nowhere. He really did deserve better results than he got. Whether he keeps at it this season I don't know. In tide the Tera handicap could be out by as much as 150-200 points.



.....are the tidal youngsters only allowed to beat us once they climb into a Radial?

Edited by transient - 08 Mar 17 at 11:07am

Yes you're right, I live on the solent and am under 30. 

Transient. Of course you are correct, slower boats are always disadvantaged in tidal conditions (it is simply maths and can be proven) , I know I've done ten years at a coastal Club in the past in a slower and quicker boat. 

Originally posted by Do Different Transient. Of course you are correct, slower boats are always disadvantaged in tidal conditions (it is simply maths and can be proven) , I know I've done ten years at a coastal Club in the past in a slower and quicker boat.  The point is, you have identified a clear and accepted issue at the extreme end of the speed range, change the number to reflect your circumstances.

I have been vocal at the club in suggesting we adjust locally over several years. The sailing com and sailing sec are just not interested. Local adjustment just isn't going to happen for our club. A fairly typical scenario me thinks.

You and many others do accept the issue but there are others who don't either understand it or don't want to rock the boat. The PY system is a fundamentaly important issue and it needs improving drastically quite soon IMO.

It's alright for Simon to post us " the technology exists to produce more granular and context sensitive handicaps"

what the hell does that actually mean?......nothing in  real terms. They've been talking about this for several years if memory serves. It sounds like they haven't gotten past the talking stage yet

For most youngsters learning to sail there is no other option other than starting to race in the club handicaps. As adults face more time and resource pressures handicap racing becomes more and more important to the sport.....do the RYA see it that way though? They may do or they may not do, who the hell knows?