Anyone have a list of the age related handicaps they could post here before tomorrow's event at Forfar where there will be quite an age range of Merlins competing.  From 1947 - New!!!!

Garry,

I think they are listed in the year book.

From memory I think it is +10 for 10 - 19 year old boats, +20 for 20 - 29 etc.

Yep - absolutely right but any idea of the current PY?  That info isn't there!!  Thanks.

PS I get current +80 for Secret Water No 111

1024 I think

this link is from homepage > association > handicaps

How often do these vintage handicaps get reviewed by the class? Is theree a discrepancy between the offical adjustments (starting with boats built 1988 or earlier) and the recognition at the championships that first boat older than ten years get a trophy.

These are what were published a few years ago , as far as I know there hasn't been a change...
3430-latest   nil
3337-3429    +10
3157-3336    +20
2815-3156    +30
2165-2814    +40
1616-2164    +50
895-1615     +60
500-894      +70
below 500    +80

I don't think these are very scientific and our club's sailing committee won't accept these at face value. For instance we have about 7 merlins in our club which would qualify for these PYs but we have gone for boats pre 2500 get 1076 and left it at that. This puts it between a laser and a lark's current PY. So I sail 507 off 1076 which actually seems OK for our water. According to the above it should be 1094 which would raise too many eyebrows and see me winning nearly every race without trying. so I accept 1076 quite happily and still can win when things go well.
What none of these take into account is state of tune. A boat with a wooden mast and original sails should not be sailing off the same handicap as another of the same age with the most modern rig and sails available....and then there's every permutaion in between. The CVRDA do take this into account. 
I suppose the bottom line is that each club must make up it's own mind.

.... And even on 1076 most of the Lasers and the Larks and other Merlins still can't beat him!!