Mark
Mike's point about handicap racing is spot on.
The most important objective is to find a race structure that keeps the last guy racing... when he quits... you have a new last guy.
split the fleet into high and low and overall and keep everyone involved racing on handicap.
I have switched from supporting Portsmouth to SCHRS simply because of the problems in the recent past and the difficulty in maintaing portsmouth going forward.
Thanks Mark.
Whether we like it or not, this is the reality of our plight. We have talked around the issue and thrown out all the red herrings.
The "dead boat" fleet is our cradle and our grave. Most beginers start with a cheap used boat and progress as best they can, hopefully elevating to a "hot boat". They either make it or don't there. Eventually, most of us reach a comfort zone that includes a platform that suits us. The dynamics of that platform can vary significantly, but the bottom line is that we like it.
For local and regional regattas and "Wednesday Night" races to prevail, we need a viable and sustainable handicap system...like it or not.
Whatever the system, the sailors have to accept it and the results. Under any system most dogs will have their day.
I really don't care what that system is...and I would rather race with my own kind.
In the meantime, it is vital that we all embrace and support one system and accept the indignety of getting our a$$ handed to us once in a while by some wanker on a POS.
