MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Handicap Data / Info

"I believe that when I'm at Ranelagh I sail off 1016 which is roughly where the Merlin PY was back in the early/mid 90s\r\n\r\nUsing the age related handicaps we then adjust based on personal results -1 for a win, +1 for finishing last\r\n\r\nMaybe this is only possible at club level and I'm sure someone will correct me if I've recalled the system incorrectly but there's my input."



Posted: 20/05/2013 16:12:28
By: Mark (3442)
Hi Ben---I sail The Godfather 3031 (built 1976) off 1040 at Portchester---Portsmouth harbour.This seems about right apart from the solos sailed by Olympic gold medalists!....probably fair enough.


Posted: 12/06/2013 10:50:07
By: the godfather 3031
Hi Ben---I sail The Godfather 3031 (built 1976) off 1040 at Portchester---Portsmouth harbour.This seems about right apart from the solos sailed by Olympic gold medalists!....probably fair enough.



Posted: 12/06/2013 10:50:07
By: the godfather 3031
"Hi Ben\r\n\r\nWe sail 3288 (NSM2 with an aluminium rig) at Walton & Frinton  (river sailing) off 1020. This number is ok on a windward/leeward course, but gets more challenging the more reaching/fetching there is - but that is handicap racing.\r\n\r\nHave had plenty of conversations at the club about using more subtle numbers for old boats, but the Phantom fleet are pretty keen for us to stick to the published guidance."



Posted: 04/09/2013 12:45:46
By: Ed Evans
"Luke..perhaps inland \r\n\r\nbig difference between and a  tin rig and carbon rig on the sea in a seaway, also in unrestricted courses where the carbon rig has a better gust response.  Iv'e sailed the same boat with 3 different masts and found this really obvious when charging upwind in wind against tide."



Posted: 09/12/2013 11:30:48
By: Tim B
Sailing off a PY handicap of 1000 in 3496 at Hastings & St Leonards Sailing Club on open sea.



Posted: 13/01/2014 16:17:34
By: Brian - 3496
Based on the contemporary PY numbers and the sail number ranges published on your website my club has elected to use these. Major updates eg carbon stick and it will be the current number. We don't really have data for the pre 895 era - cross that bridge...

Merlin-Rocket 3454-> 990
Merlin-Rocket 3430-3453 1020
Merlin-Rocket 895-3429 1030


Posted: 08/03/2014 05:53:21
By: Jim C
Based on the contemporary PY numbers and the sail number ranges published on your website my club has elected to use these. Major updates eg carbon stick and it will be the current number. We don't really have data for the pre 895 era - cross that bridge...\r\n\r\nMerlin-Rocket 3454->            990\r\nMerlin-Rocket 3430-3453		1020\r\nMerlin-Rocket 895-3429		1030



Posted: 08/03/2014 17:53:21
By: Jim C
I sail off 1000 at Blithfield because I have an Aluminium rig.\r\n\r\nCarbon Rig = No Difference



Posted: 28/03/2014 15:05:54
By: Luke
"For this season Blithfield SC has Merlin Carbon Mast (irrespective of sail no) at 990 and Merlin Metal Mast (likewise) at 1004.  (Slightly better for metal than you thought, Luke)"



Posted: 01/04/2014 08:04:17
By: Geoff Wright
"Ben,\r\n\r\nsee my other post! If you are looking at this situation again, then there is the opportunity to right some long standing wrongs! A good example of this is featured in the book - when the RYA sliced the PY from 109 to 107 (this was on the interim PY numbers). You had boats such as Fat Pig, 3430, on the wrong side of the PY barrier, sailing boat for boat with 3431 'Charge of the Light Brigade'.\r\n\r\nThis form of rough cut (I think your expression was 'broad brush')will keep throwing up anomalies that are easily fixed without any  great complication in the system!\r\nAs before, good luck with the initiative, \r\nD"



Posted: 02/04/2014 08:25:02
By: dougal
Hi Ben

We sail 3288 (NSM2 with an aluminium rig) at Walton & Frinton (river sailing) off 1020. This number is ok on a windward/leeward course, but gets more challenging the more reaching/fetching there is - but that is handicap racing.

Have had plenty of conversations at the club about using more subtle numbers for old boats, but the Phantom fleet are pretty keen for us to stick to the published guidance.


Posted: 07/04/2014 01:13:26
By: Ed Evans
I sail off 1000 at Blithfield because I have an Aluminium rig.

Carbon Rig = No Difference


Posted: 07/04/2014 01:19:36
By: Luke
"If you race your Merlin in club handicap racing :- What number are you off ? Please give boat number, name of club and type of water.\r\n\r\nBen"



Posted: 07/04/2014 10:24:25
By: Ben Marshall
River Thames at Kingston - Both Thames SC and Minima YC race vintage merlins off 1060. Vintage is a bit vague here but generally pre 1975. Other handicap boats are generally on or close to their PY.\r\n\r\nBen



Posted: 07/04/2014 10:24:25
By: Ben Marshall
If you race your Merlin in club handicap racing :- What number are you off ? Please give boat number, name of club and type of water.

Ben


Posted: 07/04/2014 10:47:59
By: Ben Marshall
River Thames at Kingston - Both Thames SC and Minima YC race vintage merlins off 1060. Vintage is a bit vague here but generally pre 1975. Other handicap boats are generally on or close to their PY.

Ben


Posted: 07/04/2014 10:55:07
By: Ben Marshall
Ben,

see my other post! If you are looking at this situation again, then there is the opportunity to right some long standing wrongs! A good example of this is featured in the book - when the RYA sliced the PY from 109 to 107 (this was on the interim PY numbers). You had boats such as Fat Pig, 3430, on the wrong side of the PY barrier, sailing boat for boat with 3431 'Charge of the Light Brigade'.

This form of rough cut (I think your expression was 'broad brush')will keep throwing up anomalies that are easily fixed without any great complication in the system!
As before, good luck with the initiative,
D


Posted: 07/04/2014 12:48:58
By: dougal
Luke..perhaps inland 

big difference between and a tin rig and carbon rig on the sea in a seaway, also in unrestricted courses where the carbon rig has a better gust response. Iv'e sailed the same boat with 3 different masts and found this really obvious when charging upwind in wind against tide.


Posted: 08/04/2014 06:55:21
By: Tim B
Sorry Tim I should perhaps qualify that comment. If I have a carbon rig there is no difference to the rest of the Merlins i.e 990 for this year.

The handicap for mine with the Ali rig has dropped 4 points too with the class number


Posted: 08/04/2014 09:04:22
By: Luke
Agreed by boat does seem faster and easier to sail with the carbon rig


Posted: 08/04/2014 09:05:00
By: Luke
I believe that when I'm at Ranelagh I sail off 1016 which is roughly where the Merlin PY was back in the early/mid 90s

Using the age related handicaps we then adjust based on personal results -1 for a win, +1 for finishing last

Maybe this is only possible at club level and I'm sure someone will correct me if I've recalled the system incorrectly but there's my input.


Posted: 08/04/2014 12:50:11
By: Mark (3442)
507 sails off the MROA scale therefore is 1070 this year. (Shearwater: small lake) and it suits the water probably better than wider designs.



Posted: 08/04/2014 17:52:30
By: chris
Sorry Tim I should perhaps qualify that comment. If I have a carbon rig there is no difference to the rest of the Merlins i.e 990 for this year.\r\n\r\nThe handicap for mine with the Ali rig has dropped 4 points too with the class number



Posted: 08/04/2014 21:00:08
By: Luke
Agreed by boat does seem faster and easier to sail with the carbon rig



Posted: 08/04/2014 21:00:08
By: Luke
507 sails off the MROA scale therefore is 1070 this year. (Shearwater: small lake) and it suits the water probably better than wider designs.


Posted: 10/04/2014 10:18:10
By: chris
"At Shoreham , on open water , 982 but we do have a sprinkling of National Champs and Olympic medalists"



Posted: 18/04/2014 10:34:56
By: Former Whitstable Pro
"HISC runs merlins off 973, with older merlins off 1003"



Posted: 18/04/2014 12:40:40
By: HISC

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