The formula is noted below with some commentary from Don Dunn, our CCBA
Handicap Chairperson as assisted by David Morrow.
"A Perspective From the Commodore"
The CCBA handicap was developed, because unlike other parts of the country, catboats on the Chesapeake are not owned or sailed like one-design boats. When half a dozen catboats get together here, we usually have half a dozen different designs. It is no secret that not all catboats are created equal. Prior to the handicap, when several of those were the known faster hulls, many would be participants opted out of racing because they were always dragging around the end of the pack, even when they did their best sailing. The handicap has worked to give the most skippers the fairest chance at a win or at least the ability to place. We have since found the races to be better attended and have seen skipper abilities develop. Any one can sail,
but you only know you are sailing well when you have others to measure against. As skippers improve or efficiency mods are made to boats, the handicap numbers have evolved. Bill Hoover, along with Don Dunn believed that a handicap system that included all would lead to self improvement through racing and increased club participation. They were right. So come on out to have some fun and improve your sailing skills. Races are informal and lots of fun. Handicap numbers are reviewed and agreed to at the annual CCBA planning meeting prior to the start of each sailing season.
mcc
Corrected time (ct)=actual time(t) in decimal seconds X 100/Portsmouth No. (P/N)
Example: ct=82.2 (1h-22m-12s)X100/110 or 74.72 (1hr-14m-43s)
"The Portsmouth system is simple. Corrected time is equal to the elapsed time times 100 divided by the handicap number. The advantages of the system are: (1) it doesn't depend on the length of the course, (2) it doesn't require any measurements, and the formula is simple. The disadvantage is the assumption that all boats are being sailed optimally at all times and we all know that isn't true. The accuracy depends on a large data base and that takes time."
