Portsmouth handicap

It has been suggested that Portsmouth yardstick be into this article or section. (Discuss)

Related Topics:
Portsmouth yardstick - Discuss

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Portsmouth handicap or Portsmouth yardstick is a handicapping system for sailboats. The handicap is applied to the time taken to sail any course, and the corrected time can be used to compare widely different sailboats on even terms. It is continually updated with empirical data from race results worldwide.

Related Topics:
Handicapping - Sailboat - Empirical

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The formula is given as follows:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• CT (Corrected Time) = ET (Elapsed Time) X 100 / HC (Handicap)

Numbers are provided for differing wind speeds (when the data is available), plus a composite number that can be used when the wind speed is variable or unknown. For example, a Puddle Duck Racer (an semi-open homebuilt class, and the slowest listed boat) has a handicap of 140, and an A Scow (the fastest listed centerboard boat) has a handicap of 61.8. If an A Scow takes 1 hour to finish a given course, and a PD Racer takes 2 hours, the handicapped times are:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• A Scow: 1.62 hours
• PD Racer: 1.43 hours

So the PD racer, although it took twice as long to finish the course, would be declared the winner.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
Portsmouth handicap: External Links ►