ROOM AT THE MARK FOR OLDER (CHEAPER) BOATS

Since the start of the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 15 years ago, the driving force behind any innovation has been to increase participation, more ‘bums on boats’.

“The Great Lakes handicap group have done an excellent job of producing handicaps to reflect the front of the fleet and taking into account of class developments,  eg Phantom carbon rigs,  but this can leave a void for the older boats who then struggle to compete off the handicaps that reflect the latest developments,” Series co-organiser Simon Lovesey says. “Many classes like the Moth Lowriders have seen success by creating age- or equipment-based handicaps for the variants within their classes. So with the aim of encouraging these older less competitive boats we will trialing using class variant numbers at the following events:  

Datchet Flyer (9/10 December 2023)

King George Gallop (20 Jan 2024) 

and the Oxford Blue (17 Feb 2024)

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“Owners of these older boats will be able to confirm on the entry form what Design or class rule they fit eg Moth Magnum 9,  and we will use the class published handicap for that variant.  There will also be a new GBSC overall ranking for these older boats based on the three events over the maximum of 10 possible races, with prizes awarded at the RYA Dinghy Show (24 Feb 2024).”

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Last winter James Clancy from Desborough SC competed in six of the events, racing in the 30-year-old Merlin Rocket 3522,  sailing with his son Samuel (and daughter Sophia at the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash). James rescued  Merlin Rocket 3522 from the dinghy park last October where she had been languishing for over ten years.  The boat was serviceable,  just needing some new ropes and fittings,  plus some second-hand sails and a carbon boom that James acquired.  Total spend was under £1k.  James and his son Samuel had previously raced in the Selden SailJuice Winter but in separate boats, British Moth and Topper respectively, and James wanted a cost-effective and competitive boat he could race with his children. 

James comments: "We have enjoy racing in the Selden SailJuice Winter Series. The standard of competition is very high and we learned so much over the Series.  We were pleased to see how our results improved,  even though we were competing in an old boat, but other competitors from all ends of the fleet were happy to help.  It is good to see how the Series organisers are looking to encourage older boats.  There are so many older but reasonable boats out there, and sailing can be quite cost-effective and inclusive."  

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8/11/2023 18:49