B14 class Handicap proposals 2025
by Crispin Taylor, Class Chair 10 Mar 00:45 NZDT
Runner-up in the Concours d'Elegance at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show © Mark Jardine / YachtsandYachting.com
The UK council have been thinking about how we address speed differences between new and older boats to hopefully arrive at a balance set of handicap numbers that promotes great sailing for all.
Why?
We think that there are a lot of older B's out there that are sitting in barns, dinghy parks not being raced, maybe because they are not competitive on the current yardstick. As a class, we want to incentivise new or returning members to get older boats back racing, with fair handicaps and to improve attendance at all events. It is intended that overall TT and National/Pre World events in 2026 will be awarded based on handicap results. Risky!
Context
As we all know, the B14 has been continually developed over the 40 years since its introduction and these developments created 2 very significant transition points that we know affected boat speed and therefore ratings:
- The introduction of the Ovington boats circa 2000, sail numbers from 755. These boats have a trench-based pole which stiffened the bow section significantly and were built with an epoxy lay-up with carbon in high load areas. These boats replaced the Rondar derived boats where a mix of polyester; some epoxy boats had been manufactured.
- Around 2004, carbon masts arrived incrementally replacing the alloy rig, considerably reducing weight and windage.
In 2006, before carbon sticks were commonplace and many boats were still Rondar, the RYA PY was 880.
Although we've spent some time thinking this through, the RYA stand gave us an opportunity for some 'soft field testing' with visitors such as Nick Craig, Chris Bateman, Wattsie, Barnsie et al and lots of people who currently sail older boats. Feedback was favourable.
Proposed handicaps for B14's for use in this year's TT series to test the principles & numbers are below.
Proposed numbers:
- Current design, abbreviated CD. All post 754 hulls. Scratch RYA PY, currently 858.
- Classic carbon abbreviated CC. All pre 755 sailing with carbon stick. Current PY plus 10 (868)
3
- Classic alloy abbreviated CA. All pre 755 sailing with Alloy mast. Current PY plus 20 (878)
Actions
We will be asking race officers at 2025 TT & national events to record elapsed times and will calculate finishing orders based on the provisional numbers above.
RYA data shows that the following clubs have made PY returns in last 4 years therefore we will contact them to ask them to return times to the RYA and us: Porthpean SC, Wilsonian SC, Starcross YC, Brightlingsea SC, Grafham Water SC, Hayling Island SC, Cawsand Bay SC, Restronguet SC, Royal Western YC & Dabchicks SC.
If you have a B14 at a club not listed here, please add it to the list and we'll make contact.
This should give the class effective PY's for inclusion into the 2026 TT season & the national/pre-world title in 2026 @Torbay yacht Club. Subject to the world sailing approval we may even sneak a handicap world trophy onto the podium as well.
We are not proposing bringing sails into the equation at this point as it could become very complex & tricky to administer and secondly, there are good modern 2nd hand sails available at reasonable prices should older boats want to go a tad quicker and maximise the handicap benefit.
As always, open to feedback & offers of support!
Thank you to Adam Parry, (RYA technical officer) Mark Elkington (SYC) Simon Lovesey (SailRacer) for their inputs.