Boat Performance Index

The RYA system is reactive, relying on clubs to submit results, but as mentioned in this thread not all clubs running handicap racing do. For classes with a good reprensatation in the submitting clubs this should give a solid sample, but many such as Halo have insufficient returns data.

Working with the Aero and Zero classes we found that many of the races with these new designs were not represented in the submitting clubs' returns, so a more proactive approach is needed. GPS data also brings another source, allowing us to drill down to leg times.

I know Nessa will point out the powerboat training, the RO courses, the grants they provide etc, but I do still feel that the RYA does virtually nothing to coordinate dinghy racing.

Well that I think would take a Green Paper to answer properly, but obviously I'm not arguing that the RYA should assume a role of unwanted intereference, meddling or beauracracy. Currently, there is no coordinated dinghy racing calendar, no RYA accreditted events etc (except Olympic stuff). There is plenty of organisation within classes, but little between them or for handicap sailing. It may be that such activities are seen as outside the scope of the RYA (although handicap racing is now the dominant form of racing) and the likes of Sailjuice and sailracer are beginning to fill the void,but it would be good imho if a body existed to add structure to the chaotic mess.
I am not generally in favour of committees, central control and layers of self serving organisations, but even free markets tend to have some controls, incentives and regulations to make them operate in a fairer and better way. The RYA approach to handicap racing is laissez faire in the extreme.

Co-ordinated calendar? Approved events? Focus and direction from authority? Sounds like my idea of hell! No doubt only suitably approved classes would get on the calendar and all the rest of it. Thinking back twenty years or more to when those of us in non-mainstream classes definitely felt we were considered second class citizens by the RYA I'll take laissez faire - or shall I say freedom and equality - thanks...

Edited by JimC - 22 Mar 15 at 4:36pm

Think your getting a bit carried away in lala land there zippy. The idea is to help organise handicap racing by accepting that it is the new norm. Not strong arming people into predesignated classes.

As someone who makes a self employed living I'm all for light touch, but no touch at all is as bad as too much.