Change the PY System?

Well do different ... well of course, of course.

I can only but agree with most of what you say.  But please don't misrepresent what is being said.  Ignoring others concerns because you have none and see no problem is part of the problem.  The sailing world has changed and handicap racing does not take away from purist class racing - it is additive.  Those who think somehow club controlled classes are still the only future are in fact simply living in the past.    We have a RYA sanctioned handicap system and it is imperfect - all agree - but for heavens sake don't you think it could be improved ? 

As for voicing concerns here - this is a public forum and discussions are and will continue to run.  It is not the PR or marketing arm of any individual group or organisation- nor should it ever be. 

I happen to think one of the best things to happen in recent years has been the inclusive nature of handicap sailing which a few constantly want to discount and deride... mostly those very content with the way things are  (or perhaps were or should have been in some mythical past).  In fact personal handicap pursuit racing is even better still at encouraging more into racing that any other route I've seen in decades. 

At my own club we regularly get 40-60 and even more boats racing under the system every Wednesday at this time of year - very very many of whom aretotally 'new' to racing.  They enjoy it and it really encourages them to consider racing more seriously.  The club has developed a great system and handicaps can change literally every week as results are recorded  - and this is just at club level. 

With a similar thoughtful approach the overall PN system could be greatly improved.  But this  needs proper leadership - and yes a willingness to properly engage with ALL the 'users', listening rather than just 'presenting' the current justifications occasionally and then the drive to move forward..  

Change will not result in perfection but improvement in any facet of life never happens if you 'just accept' ......  Nobody expects perfection but that is not a reason not to look for worthwhile improvement.     



Edited by Cirrus - 24 Jul 17 at 9:42am

It seems to me that lots of the current fuss is around certain boat's PY changes (eg Laser getting slower) which seem illogical.  It also seems to me that until a few years ago the PY system was less responsive (we do know that the methodology changed to take some of the inertia out).  It therefore also seems to me that some of the changes are probably still gradually correcting some of the inertia. 

Then you add in the fact that the Laser has a new sail (that is faster, especially in marginal planing conditions in my experience) along with a new top section that is the same as the ali one (wrong, it is 400g lighter according to PSA who weighed a selection).

Originally posted by RS400atC Originally posted by turnturtle Originally posted by sargesail Dougal - you illustrate my point nicely.  The big beef with the Laser PY seems to be that the boat has had an upgrade and  should be faster, but the PY has increased by 12 points since 2013 implying that performance is slower.  But of course 2013...... well written  Since 2013 everybody who isn't a Laser sailor has been using a TackTick ...It's probably a lot easier to get around the course 1% faster by spotting windshifts more easily than by any other 'improvement'?

Are you saying that Laser sailors can't spot a wind shift, either locally or up the course, but TackTicks can?