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FYCA Handicaps List
Strategy Adopted by FYCA Handicap Committee 2002
| TARGET DATES | TARGET |
| December: | Club should check Yacht list supplied by FYCA Handicap Committee and remit any changes to details. Include new yachts to the club. Clubs should recommend any changes and this request must have supporting evidence preferably using Open Forth Events to establish the request. |
| February: |
When YR2 list is available, FYCA Handicap Committee sit and compare Primary and Secondary yardstick changes. Establish a requirement to update last seasons FYCA numbers on Portsmouth yardstick evidence. Examine any possible queries.*Up date list. |
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At this time Clubs requests for any change is considered and a decision made. |
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*Note
Every yacht is discussed and this may take up to three meetings.
New Yachts without previous history will be allocated a Trial Number, on the basis of available evidence. |
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The final decisions are made on a unanimous basis. |
| March: | Feedback
to clubs and initial list published for Handbook publication and
for web site.
Errors and Appeals heard and feedback given to clubs. FYCA web site updated – Clubs notified. |
| May: |
Handicap Committee sit and Review of List carried out. |
| September: (Racing Delegates Meeting) |
Clubs are requested to return an evaluation of the FYCA Handicap Committee Strategy at Race Committee Level. |
All correspondence to be channeled through Club Secretaries and FYCA Secretary.
Clubs are urged to adopt the best, agreed handicap system that applies to their Club for their events. The FYCA list may be a basis for their system. Annandale, Personal Handicapping or Rolling Handicaps are only three other possible routes.
We are still lacking information about details of many yachts but decided to publish all the basic data on which handicaps are based. It would help considerably if clubs or owners could contact the committee if any information is wrong or missing.
One obvious feature of the list is the significant number of boats without a sail number. It is against Racing Rule 77 to compete without identification numbers on sails, although to be honest it is not expected that for club racing on the Forth yachts should comply with all the requirements of Appendix H of the RRS. However at least some sail number should be shown whether or not it has been officially issued by RYA or Class Association. Needless to say this point is even more valid if a yacht intends to enter an open event, or possibly East Coast Sailing Week.
Note on Handicapping Systems
The FYCA uses a system based on the RYA Portsmouth Yardstick scheme which attempts to use a broad range of performance data to allocate yacht handicaps which, as far as practicable, are independent of crew skill. The FYCA list is intended specifically to be used at regattas and other open events and not necessarily for club racing.
The use of “Personal Handicaps” or “Rolling Handicaps” is popular with several Forth clubs. These systems are based on the performance actually achieved as the season progresses and thus provides a handicap for the crew as well as the boat. FYCA supports the use of such systems for club racing while acknowledging that it is a matter for the clubs themselves to choose. At the end of the season the Handicap Committee welcomes information from clubs both on the system they use and on the handicaps achieved.
It should be noted that the difference between the FYCA list and the “Rolling” system is largely down to crew skill, and comparison of both schemes can provide information upon which crew skill and performance can be assessed and rewarded.
Multihulls
A separate list has been added for mutihulled craft. It is difficult to allocate realistic handicaps to mutihulled boats sailing in mixed fleets and Clubs should be aware of the widely varying performances achieved by these boats in different conditions. The handicaps listed here are only approximate guides.
Allocation of Trial Allowances
The Handicap Committee uses a sliding scale of allowances for yachts that do not conform to base trim which we believe is fairer than the RYA system that gives the same allowance to a fast yacht as to a slow yacht. The FYCA allowance is calculated on a percentage basis, so that a slow (ie. high number) boat will get a greater allowance than a boat with a lower number. The suggested allowances for different configurations are shown on the next page.
If any clubs or owners have problems, queries, suggestions or alterations concerning the list please do not hesitate to contact one of the committee.
Any requests for handicap alterations, however must be processed through the members club.
Chairman Ken Allan DBSC 01383 820840
Tom Wilson RFYC 0131 2589772
Mike Rigg ELYC 01620 893461
Alex Mackie BSC 01592 260007
Neil Wood PEYC 01 506 881576
Brian Pennycook FCYC 0131 552 5886
Recommended Trial Allowances from Base Configuration
The numbers in the tables below show the recommended allowances that should be applied to calculate the handicap of a yacht that differs from the configuration shown in the FYCA list or the RYA Portsmouth Yardstick tables.
The calculation is made simply as a percentage addition or subtraction to the listed number.
It must be emphasized that these allowances should be made on a trial basis, and adjusted if analysis of results shows them to be unsatisfactory.
1) Trial Allowances for different engine or propeller configurations (percentages)
2) Trial Allowances for different keel configurations (percentages)
3) Trial allowances for differences from base rig
Because numbers published in the FYCA list are intended for use at regattas or open events it is always assumed that yachts will have full racing rig, including spinnakers. For club racing it is always acceptable that yachts may be given allowances if they want to race with reduced rig, or possibly because they always sail short or single handed. It must be accepted that yachts must not offer these club handicaps for racing at open events unless that is permitted by the sailing instructions.
For guidance the recommended allowances for different sail configurations are as follows:
Yachts with all headsails smaller than base rig +4%
Yachts with no spinnaker +4%
Yachts with mainsail other than Bermudan +2%
Yachts with cruising chute and no spinnaker +2%
(You can download and print a copy of the questionnaire by clicking here. Send your comments to FYCA Secretary, Graham Crawford, 2 Coillesdene Gardens, Edinburgh, EH15 2JS. )