Racing

[stownsend]

Afternoon All

I'm thinking of having a look at some club racing, just for a bit of fun, get used to the boat and build the confidence of the channel. How would I get or work out the handicap etc.., do I need to know it and anything else I need to know ? !

Cheers

Stu

 

[Allan]

It depends at which club you plan to race, some use Byron others use PY (Portsmouth yardstick). Some clubs, like CBYC, adjust the ratings on results.
For Byron have a look at http://www.byronsoftware.org.uk/bycn/byboat.htm If your boat is not there they will do one for your boat.
Most clubs have lists of PY ratings.
Allan

 

[stownsend]

Thanks Allan, It will be CBYC, mines on the Byron link so should be able to use thoes figures for the app form.

Cheers

Stu

 

[Allan]

CBYC use PY figures which are different from Byron. My boat, Chausey, is 1078 on byron and 1170 on PY. I'm sure they will have a PY for your boat. Good luck in the racing.
Allan

 

[wotayottie]

CBYC use PY figures which are different from Byron.

CBYC handicap numbers are a source of endless discussion, and are handed down from Mount Olympus by Zeus' appointed representative, the Race Officer.

At other clubs they either come from the RYA list of from Byron and are then suitably modified at club level to take account of the performance of the boat. In the case of your boat the PY is about 1155. What this means is that the time you take round the course will be divided by 1.155 mto give the corrected time for comparison with other boats and to decide the winner.

Its a good idea to do some racing:
a/ its good fun
b/ its very sociable - the leg pulling in the bar afterwards has to be heard!
c/ does wonders for your sailing skills
d/ you get to know the boat much better
e/ something to look forward to during those miserable winter weekdays.

What do you need to do to race?
a/ find a club that organises racing ( CBYC in Cardiff bay) and enter. Turn up on the day
b/ it helps to know the basics of the racing rules
c/ minor boat prep - for example, you must not carry the anchor in the bow roller
d/ be prepared to hang back and follow others round the circuit for a race or two to get the idea.
e/ develop a thick skin for the leg pulling.

Where are you based?

 

[stownsend]

I'm in CBYC down on the cheap seats - so you say, its for a bit of fun, get to know how the boat handles, meet people and if I come any other position than last something has gone wrong !!!!!

Cheers

Stu

 

[Allan]

As I said before, good luck. I done quite a few CBYC races and always thought the courses were excellent. Whoever sets them seems to really know his stuff.
If you enjoy the CBYC racing feel free to come over to CYC for our regatta races. If you don't do very well at CBYC you will very welcome. If you do well please stay away as there are plenty of boats ahead of me already!
Have a good time.
Allan

 

[graham]

On a boring note make sure your insurance covers you for racing.Its an optional extra on most cruising yacht policies.