VINTAGE RACING AND PY

VINTAGE BOAT RACING

Vintage boats are to be classified as boats having been awarded a certificate before 1985. Thus, the most recent vintage boat will be number 3357. New-build, replica boats, may apply for dispensation to race in the Vintage series and owners should contact Stuart Jenkins for the permissible specification.

THE DE MAY VINTAGE SERIES

This series, of 15 races, is for vintage boat racing. The De May series is held across the country with racing being a one-day event and within a one-day return journey for most competitors.

RULES FOR THE DE MAY SERIES

Vintage boats are competing for the De May Trophy based on handicap results. Results will be based on the RRS (current year) low points scoring system. Points and awards will be given to the helm and a helm may use only one boat per event but more than one boat during the series. A helm will not change the specification of the boat, that relates to handicapping, during an event. Five results will be needed to qualify (discards apply thereafter) and a DNS score will be 50 points. A tie-break during an event will be based on the last race the boats sailed against each other. Similarly for the series, although discards will count if needed. The handicap system will be employed in all events.

A further two trophies will be awarded in the De May series: The Draycote Water Porridge Bowl awarded to the first boat with a specification close to when it was first launched (e.g. no transom flaps, no spinnaker chute, terylene or cotton sails, wood or metal mast, construction ribbed or glued). The Draycote Water Summer Series Trophy awarded to the most improved newcomer throughout the De May series.

DE MAY VINTAGE HANDICAP FOR 2022

(Start with 1000 and alter accordingly).

HISTORIC MERLINS

The Merlin Rocket Owners’ Association recognises the importance of preserving and sailing older boats as they were built, without modernisation or carbon rigs, thus preserving a living history of this long-standing class. At present, boats maintained in their original condition primarily race within the CVRDA (Classic and Vintage Racing Dinghy Association) and the Vintage Series. For further details contact [email protected].

HANDICAPS FOR CLUB RACING

The Portsmouth Number (PY) for Merlin Rockets is 980, set by the RYA in 2022

Although Merlin Rocket designs have developed considerably over the years, the Portsmouth Yardstick System publishes a Portsmouth Number to apply to all Merlin Rockets, which is unfair on older boats.

To address this problem for boats sailing in club handicap fleets, the MROA has produced a table that can be used to alter the current PY appropriately.

Although these 5-year bands reflect the periods of design development, it is recognised that some older designs appeared 'after their time' and it is a matter for individual clubs to decide whether they reflect this in the Numbers allotted to individual boats. If your club handicapper has any queries, please refer him or her to Graham Williamson, the MROA Measurement Scheme Co-ordinator, who sits on the RYA Handicap Advisory Panel.

The basic format is therefore:

Note this table is for mixed-class handicap racing. Vintage racing (fleet racing, that is) should use the vintage handicap adjustments instead.