Colin,

I think you just presented a simpler solution. If the boats don't have ??? amount of activity in a given year (say 20 race results or better), then no handicap change will be made.

But then you've got a problem with the 'one off' boats like the M20 that we hardly ever see. It certainly still needs a rating and a settling in period.

What if we marry the ideas? A rating can only get lower unless there are more than 20 data points in a year - unless the boat is 2 years new.

Great Thread!