Dart 16

[frank riddle]

Well here we are again, most recognise that the Dart 16 & X are fantastic boats strong and especially good for stony beaches surf etc., but in club racing it seems the PY system is unusable unless you have a genniker PY853 and for Opens and Nationals we have handicaps that are empirical and in need of updating to the ISAF SCHRS ones.
Bob Atkinson put a lot of work into the class in 2008/9 and set up the empirical handicaps in the absence of Laser having the boat remeasured but he has now left the class and UKIDA have asked me to liase with Laser to get this done.

I would be pleased to hear the views of any Dart 16 ownwer as to how the future of the Dart handicap structure should be and I propose the following. Actually once measured the SCHRS calculator will provide a handicap for any combination.
OPEN & NATIONAL EVENTS 2 basic separate classes and a overall handicap class.
1. Dart 16 with 2 crew, main & jib. This is the basic boat and is a low cost Cat suiting beginners, youth and the old salts.
2. Dart 16X with 2 crew, twin trapeze, larger main, jib & Genniker. This is the "go faster" machine for the hot shots.
3. All variations of Dart 16 & dart 16X to satisfy those who want this.

To stimulate youth etc a result should be given to:-
a) the highest placed helm under 18.
b) the highest placed single-handed boat where more than 2 boats compete.
c) The "ton up" class where the ages of helm and crew are >100.

CLUB EVENTS & HANDICAP RACING
DART 16
1. 2 crew main & jib. No PY was 850. Prov SCHRS 1.280
2. 1 crew main & jib. No PY Prov SCHRS 1.174
3. 1 crew main only No PY Prov SCHRS 1.276
4. 2 crew main, jib, & Genniker. PY853 Prov SCHRS 1.255

DART 16X
5. 2 crew, main, jib & Genniker. No PY, Prov SCHRS 1.223
6. 2 crew, main, jib. No PY, Prov SCHRS 1.246
7. 1 crew main & jib No PY Prov. SCHRS 1.149
8. 1 crew main only. No PY Prov. SCHRS 1.244

Please let me have your views.
Frank Riddle

[danhopgood]

Frank,

I've noticed the lack of response to your post, which is a shame. I've got a query and a comment as an occasional club racer at the back of the fleet, using a standard D16 with the original genneker.

Query : In my club (Netley)- all handicap racing is done on a PY basis, so it'll only work if an equivalent PY is available. Are you proposing that the SCHRS ratings be converted back into an equivalent PY, without returns to the RYA ?

Comment : There is a trend towards using a non-standard pole mounted genneker on the basic boat, which is a big advantage due to the much more flexible launch / recovery. Using the same handicap for trampoline and pole mounted gennekers is not appropriate in my view.

[frank riddle]

I agree the lack of interest is not good but I know a few people do not like the fact I questioned the "ill founded Empirical ratings" announced by UKIDA especially when fairer SCHRS ratings were available and can so easily be found.
There are a few problems and I am determined to solve them fairly without favour to any one.
1. Weight The D16 seems to have varied and many older one weigh around 180kg when the SCHRS rating is based on 135kg. Laser produced a quantity of light boat in an attempt to get close to 135 but this was not successful and they say 151 kg is the correct weight (+ 4kg for D16X) . If you have any weight measurement I would be pleased to hear of them.
2. Sail sizes. These have changed slightly either as a result of earlier misdeclaration or other.
2 Ratings. I am in the process of getting Laser to have a boat re-measured so that the SCHRS can publish new ratings.

The PY handicap system is a fleet average system based on personal performance and because of this it seems full of inequalities.

Laser produce 2 types of Dart 16 a 2 sail basic boat with small mainsail and the Dart 16X Race, with larger main, Genniker additional trapeze and spreaders. It is both Laser's and my view that we should maintain "class racing for open and National events using Dart 16 basic or Dart 16X and any hybrid between the 2 fragments the class and spoils class racing as handicaps have to be used. This is not so easy in strong winds and rough seas as precise timing of finishing boats is difficult unless you have a large stable committee boat with cabin.
At club level each club can use what it thinks best PY, SCHRS or UKIDA. In terms of fair sailing SCHRS is best and a conversion to PY can be made that clubs could use but this is not an official PY.

I will post more news next week after Laser confirm their latest action.
Please let me have your views especially if you disagree with anything I have stated. I would like all views and we can discuss this democratically at the Dart 16 meeting at the Nationals where views given by e-mail etc can be respected.

Hope this is clear.
All the best
Frank