On the 2019 RYA PN list, the Merlin returns are asked to be split into vintage/classic/silver. Please does anybody know the definition for these categories?

Thanks

Hi Tim,
There's a fairly rough guide to ages of boat in the Yearbook which might help as a starting point.
Tim 

And Vintage is up to 3357
And Classic is up to 3571 

Thanks Tim H, If anybody has been in touch with the RYA please could they share? Tim

I don't think there has been any consultation with us at all.
 
Which means any published numbers in these categories are going to be a complete pigs breakfast if everyone uses different age bands. 

My guess is that Chris Martin is probably correct in his assumption that the RYA engaged in zero consultation on this PY issue. However, to play devils advocate,  perhaps this might serve as a prompt to the class association to be somewhat more proactive on behalf of those of us who sail older boats at club level.  The same age allowances have been trotted out in the year book for years so that as the yardstick for the flying machines at the top of the fleet steadily drops, our old boats are supposed to also get faster and faster. In the real world, it don't happen!  These same age suggestions also result in an annual standup  fight  with the club handicapper to persuade him/her to accept  what the year book says which  is not helpful.  Here endeth gripe for today.

If we are doing devils advocate.
 
A couple of years ago now I looked at the number of races sailed (You get told this in the PY list) cross referenced with the clubs with known fleets. The numbers didn't add up and were quite some distance apart. This leads to the conclusion that a significant percentage of our PY returns are made by older boats.............
 
On smaller lakes this is more than possible, and on a river (And Thames clubs do make returns) older boats will mop up.
 
The danger here is that there is a very big difference between an NSMII as it left the workshop in 1985 and some of the updated hulls. With some 50's or 60's boats there is no comparison at all.
 
So basically, unless they build in something to account for the boat's rig, it isn't going to work. 

Surely, if a boat is significantly updated with hull modifications and probably a carbon/Kevlar rig, it forfeits its "old" categorization  and should be racing off  standard PY anyway.  Those of us who wish to race our boats as part of the class heritage in the form "as they  left the workshop" ( 1976) are being  penalized , becoming disillusioned and wondering what the class assoc. is offering them, apart from a rather nice magazine.   

I agree with you on updates. But I think we can both see where this is going to go and I don't actually think it'll help anyone.
 
Re the MROA and heritage boats - what is it that you want? If you make us aware, preferably privately as online debates tend to be less than constructive, what you'd like to see you may be pleasantly surprised if its possible for our volunteer workforce to achieve. 
 
Some things - a bit like whats going on here with what looks like the RYA's attempt at an official PY adjustment - are beyond our control. Though I think we will be looking into what's going on.

Chris-----Thank you for your positive  response. I do fully realise that all those in committee positions are volunteers giving up their valuable time and applaud you all.   I will email you direct, if I may ,to clarify some of my concerns.