Novice Sailors Handicap System

Huntingdon RYC operates a 2 tier novice system.  This is designed to help people with no experience of radio controlled crafts and those new to sailing.

Dependent on your ability at the time you join the club, we offer coloured streamers that are attached to the mast head crane, which helps identify you and the level of your experience.

The colour of streamer is based on ability/experience and provides allowances, whilst you get to grips with our sport.

Level 1

New to radio controlled craft and with no sailing experience.

Red Streamer (3 month duration, or 3 wins, then progresses to level 2) 1 minute head start – No sailing rules apply, No penalty turns to be taken

2 Observances

  • Avoid collisions at all times
  • If hailed (sailor speak for shouted at) acknowledge and sail a straight course

Level 2

Has basic sailing experience, but new to model yachting

Black Streamer (3 months or 6 wins) 30 second head start – Basic sailing rules apply, No penalty turns to be taken

  1. Port and Starboard (with the exception of a downwind leg, experienced sailor’s keep clear).
  2. Do not tack in front of on – coming boat.

2 Observances

  • Avoid collisions at all times
  • If hailed, acknowledge and sail a straight course

The novice system finishes

Depending on the entry level, on the anniversary of 6 months membership for level 1 and 3 months for level 2. They will join the main fleet and start with the other competitors.

Notes for the fleet

Experienced sailors should provide novices with as much space as possible at all times, and when in close quarters are extra cautious regardless of who has right of way. Please explain (don’t shout)  what happened/is happening to the novice to help to both parties to avoid an incident, if that is not possible then spare a few minutes after racing to give a quick explanation, please do not request a penalty turn from a Novice.

If the experienced skipper has done their best to mitigate the incident with the novice and there is still a foul committed then if they are right of way boat they do not have to take a penalty.