Members’ Handicaps

Handicaps are used for Handicap Racing and ensure that slower sailors get the chance to compete for prizes on an equal footing with more experienced crew. As you improve, your handicap will decrease, making it harder to win. If you slip up - you have a better chance next time.

Handicap Races can be sailed in any class of boat. Each type of boat is also time adjusted using a system called the Portsmouth Yardstick, which takes account of the typical speed of a boat over an hour’s sailing. If you sail in different types of boat on different weekends, you will have a handicap for each.

First time you sail you will be given the class average, but cannot win the Handicap title in that event. After a year of not sailing, your handicap is set back to the class average.

The Handicap Sheet will be added here shortly.