Most local racers are more forgiving and permissive than they would be at the larger events. They are happy to just have another boat on the water. As you get better and move up the racing ranks it might become an issue. Nobody's too worried about the newbie racers in the back of the pack but when you start winning races then it may become an issue. Of course none of this is relevant if your racing in an open class, where tramp style is not an issue. Most regattas require at least 5 boats of the same design to have their own class. If there are less than 5 H17's racing where your racing you will probably be in the Open Class and handicapped using Portsmouth figures. In that case tramp style, sail maker, and other modifications are not considered into the handicap figures. Sail size, beam width, spinnaker, number of persons on the boat and wind speed can all modify your Pourtsmouth handicap number.