Otter dinghy

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UnicornOtter

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Has anyone got a copy of the class association rules? I am trying to restore an Otter dinghy which has had extras added which may be outside the original rules and would like to remove them in order to be able to take part in CVDRA racing.
 
Can't you just get the CVDRA to issue a CVDRA handicap number or 'Portsmouth Number handicap - as the boat is - with the adaptations -as a 'not an Otter' - or an 'unknown GRP dinghy' - as for a boat of no particular class like many 12ft traditional and GRP dinghies - TEPCO etc - or get your local club to allocate a number as is permitted under the PY rules -sail a few races, they will be able to give you a number to start and then adjust it if you perform better or worse. May need to do an overall condition check and a buoyancy test etc. and have insurance.

CVDRA 'racing' is all about taking part for fun isn't it - so unless there is a big class of Otters, can't see that they should be too worried.

Edit - CVDRA website indicates their handicap for an Otter will start at handicap 110 (Average = 100 - Firefly or GP14) - but states 'We also adjust the handicap to reflect the ‘state of tune’, or originality of a boat.'

- So you should be OK - just go for it
 
Last edited:
Egret said:
Can't you just get the CVDRA to issue a CVDRA handicap number or 'Portsmouth Number handicap - as the boat is - with the adaptations -as a 'not an Otter' - or an 'unknown GRP dinghy' - as for a boat of no particular class like many 12ft traditional and GRP dinghies - TEPCO etc - or get your local club to allocate a number as is permitted under the PY rules -sail a few races, they will be able to give you a number to start and then adjust it if you perform better or worse. May need to do an overall condition check and a buoyancy test etc. and have insurance.

CVDRA 'racing' is all about taking part for fun isn't it - so unless there is a big class of Otters, can't see that they should be too worried.

Edit - CVDRA website indicates their handicap for an Otter will start at handicap 110 (Average = 100 - Firefly or GP14) - but states 'We also adjust the handicap to reflect the ‘state of tune’, or originality of a boat.'

- So you should be OK - just go for it
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I could, but would prefer to go back to original spec. It is not my only boat and I have other boats which the CVDRA is happy to accommodate. There were class rules until at least 1990 which unfortunately predates widespread internet use. Of particular interest are rules regarding the rudder and spinnaker and whether there were rules regarding mechanical advantage on halyards.
 
I don't have the rules , but we did have and race a couple ofOtters when I was a youth. Obviously I can't remember any measurements but am happy to offer an opinion on any issues. Most of the rules were of the " this is an Otter, don't try to change stuff" variety, although I do recall someone surprising us by turning up with a ,legal, centre mainsheet and winning the championship.
 
That is my recollection. I also had an Otter in the 1980s and unfortunately passed on the paperwork when I sold it. I know that the boat I have has had changes but don't know the original spec to change them back. The rudder feels wrong but it may just be what I am currently used Ito. I am not sure what size of spinnaker I can have and whether I could use a spinnaker from a Miracle. Where can I run the spinnaker halyard? When I doubled up a halyard (Topper style) to provide extra purchase on a halyard that was challenged at an Open meeting as gaining mechanical advantage! Were adjustable fairleads for the jib allowed?
 
I think you're over-thinking this. Things like slightly different rudder shapes or adjustable fairleads aren't going to have enough effect on performance to measurably affect the handicap (which will be a bit speculative at best). Just tell the CVRDA about the details you're worried about and let them decide what handicap they're going to give you.

As far as spinnakers go I think a Miracle spinnaker might be a bit long on the leech. The current, larger Heron spinnaker may be closer to the original although I doubt you'll find a used one and a new one is likely going to be £500+. A bit of Internet searching has revealed that some late Otters had a short bowsprit and a asymmetric spinnaker but no dimensions were given.
 
I think the spinnaker was bigger than a mirror's but would be smaller than a miracles. A mirror one would be cheap and easy. Spinnaker halyard ran externally and was cleated on the foredeck. We fitted a grp mirror shute. I don't recall increasing the jib halyard purchase, we didn't use jib hanks and someone swinging on the forestay was enough. The rudder blade is flat plywood with chamfered edges (?2") the shape is probably rhomboid, straight edges top narrower than bottom, pprobably sl raked backwards.
They were great boats for youths, much better ,and faster, than Mirrors and Herons. I saw one last summer and it still looked really good.
The yardstick used to be the same as a Topper
 
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