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Handicaps for Club Racing

The Portsmouth Number (PY) for Merlin Rockets is 1018 (from March 2008)


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 set of Numbers, increasing by 10, for each 5-year band before 1989 (the year the first "Canterbury Tales" design appeared).

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 to Graham Williamson, the MROA Measurement Scheme Co-ordinator who sits on the RYA Handicap Advisory Panel.


The Basic format is therefore:
Year (inclusive)Sail NumbersHandicap Number recommended
1989 onwards3430 onwardsCurrent Portsmouth Number
1984-19883331-3429Current Portsmouth Number +10
1979-19833157-3330Current Portsmouth Number +20
1974-19782833-3156Current Portsmouth Number +30
1969-19732165-2832Current Portsmouth Number +40
1964-19681616-2164Current Portsmouth Number +50
1959-1963895-1615Current Portsmouth Number +60
1954-1958500-894Current Portsmouth Number +70
Before 1954Below 500Current Portsmouth Number +80


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