Where are all the Finns?

   Have been going along to these large handicap events over the last few years - 100+ boats show up but I think I have only seen one Finn and that was at the recent POSH. 
Do they have a terrible handicap due to all the super stars that sail in them and hence its not worth it or do they just focus on the Finn opens which seem to be relatively infrequent in the UK looking at the Finn class webpage??

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H2 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jul 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 750	Post Options Post Reply Quote H2 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Where are all the Finns? Posted: 20 May 19 at 3:46pm
	Have been going along to these large handicap events over the last few years - 100+ boats show up but I think I have only seen one Finn and that was at the recent POSH. Do they have a terrible handicap due to all the super stars that sail in them and hence its not worth it or do they just focus on the Finn opens which seem to be relatively infrequent in the UK looking at the Finn class webpage??
	H2 #115 (sold) H2 145 OK 2082

jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 19 at 4:02pm
	PY is unlikely, all the hot shots will rarely, if ever, sail the boat on PY. They are in the 50+ club for their nationals though so they are out there.
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

PeterV Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 24 Feb 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 131	Post Options Post Reply Quote PeterV Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 20 May 19 at 6:20pm
	I sail a Finn and bought my first in 1976. Then and now the Finn is much harder to sail to handicap than most other classes but the PY goes through phases of being very hard and then a bit easier. Currently it's a bit better than it has been recently. There are many open meetings with very good turnouts so most serious sailors make the effort to go to the opens they fancy. The support in the class is very good too so one learns a lot more going to a class event than racing in handicap events. The really serious guys don't often sail in domestic events at all so it's rare to be sailing against them and they certainly wouldn't be affecting the handicap.
	PeterV Finn K197, Finn GBR564, GK29 Warsash

rich96 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 20 Jan 05 Online Status: Offline Posts: 596	Post Options Post Reply Quote rich96 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 19 at 3:41am
	It is true that the Finns are rarely seen at these big handicap events However, there is no particular reason for this other than the fact that historically the sailors chose to sail against other Finns (either at the circuit events or at the clubs where there is a good fleet. Like most boats, the Finn can have its day in handicap racing. On mostly upwind/downwind courses it can be a real weapon. Having large sail area and being quick upwind, it is usually good off the start line in a mixed fleet. It seems to do best in the very light or very breezy (when it remains controllable relative to some other boats. Long reaches are not its strength though. More of us should try to get out and do some of these handicap events

H2 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jul 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 750	Post Options Post Reply Quote H2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 19 at 7:46am
	I must admit that I have always fancied a Finn and am sure I will have one at some point, at the moment there are none at my club so I just do not get to see them sailing as most weekends I am at the club, or at one of those large handicap events or at a H2 open. Which clubs have decent local fleets if you don't mind listing some out?
	H2 #115 (sold) H2 145 OK 2082

Gordon 1430 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 27 Jun 17 Location: Lee on Solent Online Status: Offline Posts: 310	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gordon 1430 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 19 at 8:04am
	I think you have fleets based at a few clubs. Mengham Rythe Hayling Island so good turnouts for Fed week Christchurch normally do the Highcliffe winter series Hurst Castle or Keyhaven not sure which.
	Gordon Phantom 1430

maxibuddah Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 06 Mar 09 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 1760	Post Options Post Reply Quote maxibuddah Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 19 at 10:19am
	I used to take mine to Southwest events and really enjoyed sailing them. In fact did more than the Finn nationals I did. There a few Finn's at chew valley H2 so not too far away, they usually are there at the visitors day in October which is a really good event. Can't say I troubled the leaders at that one last year but had a great race against Fred van Arkle whos not bad at sailing them. Would have kept mine if I hadn't needed the money. Great to sail. You probably don't see many because there aren't that many and lots sail at the club's Gordon mentioned so why travel?
	Everything I say is my opinion, honest

Fatboi Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Posting king Joined: 09 Aug 16 Location: Hampshire Online Status: Offline Posts: 189	Post Options Post Reply Quote Fatboi Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 19 at 10:44am
	The open meetings are well supported, as is club racing at some venues (Christchurch, Mengham, West Kirby, Beaver). With weekends at a premium, why would you travel to do a handicap event over class racing! Much better to save up your brownie points and go and do a class open.

H2 Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Really should get out more Joined: 26 Jul 17 Online Status: Offline Posts: 750	Post Options Post Reply Quote H2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 19 at 12:03pm
	Thanks gents! Mengham Rythe looks like a good option and I never even knew it was there. Been to HISC, Itchenor, Bosham, Chichester etc so many times and just never knew so thanks for opening my eyes!
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JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 21 May 19 at 12:33pm
	Just don't miss the tide at Mengham Rythe... unless the mud has gone away since my youth.