I am sure this has been discussed before but our club is talking about handicaps, the link below has been put on our club forum. Some thought please..............

I think this should be an interesting Forum debate. I would like to know what other sea clubs do with handicaps, also how do you allow for better sailors coming into the class and doing well because there handicap was set for an average sailor.
Lets not get on to who's better than who but a good discusion will give the sailing committee something to consider next year.
 
There used to be a saying in the club of which boat would you sail if you could pick regardless of weight or size, the Fireball used to be the answer........not sure if this is now the case................good or bad? I guess it means the Fireball is now not winning as often as it used to. I totaly agread with the sailing committee with moving the handicaps and also to reduce the size of the move before being first being published, I personly think we need to adjust a little more and we wil be right.
Alternative is we use PY's and without doubt the B14's, Fireballs and Merlins will start winning everything again!

Most large water clubs seem to use 1000 to 1010. If you go much lower than 1000 (Even at 1000 in the right conditions) the Fireball is a problem. They are faster than a Merlin in most conditions and in spite of what they may say are a bit of a bandit too! 

I'd still like to try leaving the Fireball/Merlin number as it is (The ratio is not far out once you hit a F4) according to the RYA and giving the classes with a "poor" handicap (Enterprise/Laser etc) a 10 point boost. This would solve a lot of problems and avoid creating new bandits on an annual basis.

I believe that the class handicap should not be a personal one. If other classes are sailed by poorer sailors tough luck, they won't win - it is a race afterall. Personal handicaps have their place but should be awarded as a separate prize extracted from the main results.

Two races today at Brightingsea, four Merlins in fast handicap, Merlins 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th in both races, sailing on handicap 1008. Light winds and I guess if a Merlin is going to win the conditions today suited the Merlin. Great to see Jacko and Lorna joining our club for the summer. Talk in the club bar afterwards was of "who can cut the custard series"!?!?!
Great sailing and if you bump in to Jacko just ask about the Brightlingsea Fireballs.