Segrating classes on the start line

Our club racing is all on a handicap basis and generally invovles all boats
starting together. Recently the Devon Yawl has become very popular and
we regularly have 3 or more racing.
Our concern is that there is a risk that these larger heavier boats bring to
other boats e.g. lasers etc. We have had 2 collisions on the start line in
recent weeks the latest in which a laser was literally skewered on the
bowsprit of one of the Yawls (who did have right of way).

I wonder if other clubs running handicap racing like this have any
expereince of segragating the start line to separate boats and minimise
the risks that can ensue from mixing larger keel boats with small
dinghies?

Originally posted by ivan We have had 2 collisions on the start line in recent weeks the latest in which a laser was literally skewered on the bowsprit of one of the Yawls (who did have right of way).

It's pretty unlikely the Laser helm will do it again!

if you have enough boats you could have a fast and slow fleet with separate starts.  There is a problem with starting the Yawls later and then reaggregating the finish times: depending on the relative handicap some boats will be sailing in clear wind and others in disturbed and this would be different to the situation if they had all started together.

Another solution might be to just have a longer start line.