Half the trouble is that the number one factor by a country mile is the condition of the sails. I'm sure it makes more difference to boat speed than all the other variables put together, and anyone can buy a new set of rags for any boat at any time...Nigel wrote:it could be argued that a new example benefits perhaps unfairly from its PY being based upon boats in a poorer condition.
IMHO its entirely right and proper that we should give a generous allowance to those souls who take the trouble and accept the inconvenience of coming out with a vintage set of cotton sails, and if I were to bring the Cherub out with a carbon stick and a set of mylar rags I'd expect a handicap hit, but we are a *racing* dinghy association: I'm not sure we should be in the game of encouraging people to look out for the rattiest old dust sheets they can find in the hope of a handicap advantage...
To me, provided new sails are as far as possible contemporary in design with the boat, they shouldn't attract a handicap penalty. Anyway, that's my philosophy, which is why Queenie's new jib was in white cloth, not mylar, and her new kite was to an old design. Your mileage may vary!