Gavin Marshall, Chairman of the Joint Regatta Committee says:

“We feel that this is a very positive step forwards – as our event grows in popularity, and we welcome boats from further afield, it is appropriate that we use a national system, and a system which benefits from the wider database and support, which such a system offers.

We would like to thank our friends at CYCA, for all of the help which they have provided over the years, and we look forward to the competitive racing that we are confident the YTC system will create.”

Principal Race Officer John Readman added: “Sailors have been trying to work out improved handicap systems since the invention of yacht racing two centuries ago. In this evolution, YTC seems the logical next step for handicapping boats racing in West Highland Yachting Week. I hope that this will prove attractive not just to Scottish owners, but sailors from Ireland, the south coast and the American boats expected to visit our wonderful sailing waters on the West Coast of Scotland this summer with the Cruising Club of America.”

AERA YTC is powered by the RORC Rating Office and the RYA. It is an initiative that seeks to promote club level participation in racing by cruising yachts and cruiser-racers. The objective is to provide a simple rating assessment so that skippers of any skill level may feel encouraged to race their boats.  The ethos throughout the process of establishing a boat’s YTC number is to develop the number in a fair, open and transparent manner, bringing the yacht’s skipper into the discussion where appropriate. The application process is free, and most of the data required will already be available to YTC through the RORC Rating Office standard hull data. Full information can be found here. Applications are expected to open in late February.

Key points to note:

• Boats wishing to apply for a YTC number are to complete and submit a web-based YTC Application Form
• There is no charge for a YTC certificate, though there may be one-off associated costs if you require sails to be measured.
• YTC uses the following boat data to calculate a YTC number:
  • Hull length overall (metres)
  • Waterline length (metres)
  • Boat weight (displacement), empty/dry (kilograms)
  • Draft (metres)
  • Total upwind sail area (metres2 ) Sum of mainsail and headsail (genoa or jib) area.
  • Total downwind sail area (metres2 ) Sum of mainsail and spinnaker area
  • Propeller type and keel configuration
• Sails may be measured using the in-house certification system outlined in the supporting documents (see link below), an RYA sail measurer, or other measurer approved by the RORC Rating Office or YTC Main Committee.
• Boat weight and other hull data will be based on the RORC Rating Office standard hull data. If that is not available, then boat brochure data or other available data will be used.

If you would like introductions to any of Scotland’s sail makers the please drop us a line. We would be more than happy to put you in touch with someone who will be able to help with sail measurements.

We will, of course, provide you with regular updates and guidance on the changes. If you have enquiries at any point during the process then please do not hesitate to get in touch and one of our committee members or advisors will provide assistance.

We are currently looking for an administrator to take on this challenging part time role.

The applicant will be expected to look after all aspects of the organisation of the event, including:

• Processing of all entries
• Arranging insurance.
• Securing work boats.
• Liaison with, and support for sponsors.
• Collating a social programme.
• Production of Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions
• Preparation of Management Committee meeting minutes.
• Arranging accommodation where required.
• Communication with host venues.
• Assistance with race management and production of results.

The job would ideally suit someone who has experience of this diverse event, and is well acquainted with

The world of sailing. Local knowledge is advantageous.

Good teamworking and IT skills would be of particular benefit, and excellent communication, social media and promotional skills are essential!

Remuneration – £8,000 per annum.

Please apply in the first instance to the chairman, Gavin Marshall

Email: gavin@baddinsgill.com    with the heading “Administrator.”

Following on from your extremely helpful responses to this year’s questionnaire, and having discussed handicapping in detail at our recent committee meeting, it is likely that we will change away from CYCA for WHYW 2025. The application for a YTC handicap is straightforward, but does require measurement of sails.







Our aim is to let you know about this proposal as early as possible, so that you have plenty of time to arrange sail measurements. If you have any queries or require assistance, please let us know.







Please also be assured that there has been no fall out with CYCA – we very much appreciate the effort which goes into running this, our local system, and a system which has served us well for many years. The above proposed change is a trial, but in the interests of trying to run as good a regatta as possible, we feel that a change at this time is appropriate.



Gavin

Planning for WHYW 2025 started more or less as soon as our 2024 event was complete. At least I have to say that I always come away from the event fired up with ideas for the following year. But firstly, time to reflect and I think it is fair to say that this years event went well …….. I certainly enjoyed it! And I sincerely hope that you did too.

We were delighted with our tally of 97 entries. This exceeded our expectations, and a very big thank you to you all for your support. Perhaps more importantly, I would like to say thank you for your support of the RNLI in this, their 200th anniversary year. Your contributions were extremely generous, and we were pleased to be able to hand over a cheque for £1000 from your donations on the entry form. This total was boosted by a further £615 given by MOWI, this being the takings from their food van. A letter of thanks from RNLI Oban has been posted separately on our website and Facebook.

It is my intention that we send out a questionnaire in the very near future. We try to keep this personal, and relevant. I don’t intend to include a lot of questions about the format of the week, (I think we have got that just about right?), or the social side. On that score, my one fear this year was that we perhaps tried to include too much.

Having alluded to it last year, my one area of concern is the handicapping system. CYCA is what we have got, and what we have worked with for years. Most importantly, is it fair to all? Is it up to date? And is it fit for purpose? If not, can it be improved? Or is there something better out there? – YTC being one example. I do not know the answers to any of the above questions, but it appears that there are rumblings out there. In my view there are too many idiosyncrasies in the system, and as we continue to concentrate on the “inclusiveness” of this event, I would like to see new faces collecting prizes! Perhaps this is a pipe dream, but I don’t think so. Please let me know your thoughts.

And on a less happy note, I was sorry to learn today that Ron Cowan of Yachting Images is currently in hospital, and has been for the last fortnight. This is seriously impacting on his ability to sort through and post photographs, for which he is apologetic. I know however that you will all want to pass on your best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Enjoy the rest of your sailing season!

Gavin.

Chairman WHYW

Yacht Celerity

WEST HIGHLAND YACHTING WEEK         2024

SAILING INSTRUCTION AMENDMENTS

1.1

S1 7.1 is replaced by

SI  7.1.2

1.2

SI  12.7  is replaced by

SI  12.7.2  Boats in classes 4, Passage Race Only, shall start in the class start appropriate for their handicap and fly numeral pennant 4 in accordance with SI 7.1.2.

1.3

Appendix 1, Craobh to Oban Passage Race.

In 29.1, the approx. times of the fleet broadcasts are changed to 07.30 and 08.00