Pointless PY Pondering

The only thing that is ruining my sporting life at the moment is Covid.

Personally I don't have to be *that* upset to point out that something isn't quite right....It seems to me when someone points out a flaw others tend to get *that* upset in response. It's when the name calling starts.

Once upon a time, about 10 years ago(I haven't checked), at least 2 members of the faceless and nameless "they" who run the Portsmouth Yardstick group used to post on this forum. Marke and ChrisJ(?).They were happy to explain in great detail the mathematical and statistical basis of the system.
Eventually they got bored with repeating themselves to the deaf ears of the flat earthers and conspiracy theorists and left to do something more useful.
If anyone here wants to know the actual process the the search function will be your friend

Those posts don’t exist, not actual details. If they did the details would be on the RYA site too.

Over the years I have tried to gain a deeper insight into the thinking that determines how the PY system runs, but am now far closer to the viewpoint expressed by Rupert than I am to the thinking that views boats as either dogs or bandits  when sailing a handicap race. But at the same time, could a better system be devised?  The answer there has to be a 'possible yes' BUT - for all those who think that they could do better, every attempt that I have seen to date has fallen at the first hurdle! That first question that has to be answered (and hasn't been to the best of my knowledge) is.... what is the PY system meant to do?  Should a number be a number, with the tacit understand that like the stopped clock, which is right twice a day, that the PY system as is tends to be right or there abouts for everyone at some point in the season. Or, should a PY system be interventionist, so that it tweaks the numbers depending on a whole range of variables? Go down that path and you enter a strange numerical world where the theory results in numbers that might be fairer, but are even more opaque than they are now.

I would like to ask that the PYAG consider the following suggestions: 

1.       Put a document on the RYA website explaining how the numbers are calculated. 
2.       Reduce the resolution of the numbers – round numbers to the nearest 4 or so. 
3.       Adjust the way the relativity is used, so that only classes that have actually gotten slower in absolute sense (or were previously harshly handicapped) get a PY increase. Obviously there are not many classes that evolve to become slower. 
4.       Find ways to reduce the burden and onus on clubs to alter numbers. 
5.       Publish the historic PY numbers of classes over the years, so that the relative effect of changes can be better appreciated. 
6.       Have a different, and transparent, method for allocating (temporary) numbers to new classes – it should not be in the hands of the manufacturer/class to propose a number. 

At the end of the day, it is not about having a more accurate scheme. It is about having a fair and workable scheme that encourages boats to go racing.