For season 2023-2024 the Victorian Trailable Yacht Division (V-TYD) does not recommend the adoption of the ‘New’ Australian Sailing CBH System in the state of Victoria. It is recommended that clubs/associations continue to use the ‘Old’ CBH ratings.

As per the “Australian Class Based Handicap (CBH) Rating System” the use of the new CBH system is recommended by AS, however clubs/associations and other organising authorities can run racing under any system they feel appropriate. The V-TYD position is for the reasons below.

The primary reason for not reccomending adoption of the new system, is that the V-TYD believes that the new system will hinder rates of participation in the state of Victoria. The drivers for this recommendation are outlined below:

• The vast majority (~95%) of the Victorian trailable yacht fleet sails in class standard configuration
• For class standard trailable yachts, the old CBH system has been performance adjusted using over 30 years of race results, meaning in 95% of cases it was a very reliable system
  • In Victoria we have found that under the old CBH system the best crews sailing the best prepared boats won consistently, irrespective of class
• There are approximately 50 classes of trailable yachts and OAKs that do not have a rating under the new CBH system
• The V-TYD understands that the new CBH and the old CBH ratings do not correlate and should not be used in side-by-side comparison, however when comparing rating shift between systems:
  • Some classes have seen a CBH reduction of -6.2% (Austral Clubman 8)
  • Some classes have seen a CBH increase of +19.4% (Hartley 21)
  • This means there is up to 25.6% competitive difference between classes under the new system, which equates to wholesale change in ratings and results
  • The median CBH change between systems is +3.7%
  • The mean CBH change between systems is +5.0%
• The numbers above suggest that either the new CBH system has either:
  • Incomplete or poor-quality input data to allow for the reliable calculation of trailable yacht CBH ratings, or;
  • The mathematical solution of the formula is not refined enough to accurately rate trailable yachts fairly
    • From initial analysis heavier, more powerful boats, appear to be at a rating advantage with weight in general appearing to be a very sensitive input
• Australian Sailing do not appear to have a feedback mechanism through which to refine the formula or correct erroneous inputs with owners and/or associations being left to fend for themselves with little to no guidance

Whilst we acknowledge the good intent of the new CBH Ratings, from the outset the V-TYD has been consistent in its position that when we requested a review of the old CBH system. Primary messages from V-TYD to AS were:

• Wholesale change of existing CBH ratings was not required as they were proven and working well for Victorian races
• The ability to fairly rate one-of-a-kind and new trailable yachts, without necessarily rewarding them was required
• The new system should make the rule more inclusive and lower the barrier to entry for sailors of one-of-a-kind, new designs, or existing designs that didn’t meet in part the Australian Trailable Yacht and Sports Boat Rule
• The new system must lead to increased levels of participation

It is the V-TYD’s preferred position that we are in step with AS and the CBH system, but it seems that the needs of Victorian Trailable racers must differ from other states. Through a deep understanding of our community and stakeholders through a wide cross section of clubs and associations being part of the V-TYD, we believe adopting the new CBH rating system will be detrimental to participation.

Finally, it is acknowledged by the V-TYD that the sports boat community has a long history of performance optimisation, modification, and one-of-a-kind build boats. We believe the new CBH system is suitable for these boats and have encouraged Victorian sports boat sailors to adopt.

For reference a copy of the 2019 Australian Trailable Yacht and Sports Boat Rule ratings are attached.