A sailing handicap is used for racing a water bearing vessel. It is how much time you owe or are owed by each boat that is racing in a fleet. This allows for different types of sailboats to be raced against each other.
Sailing Vessel Classification
A sailing vessel class is normally determined by the measurement of the sailing vessel. Measurement rules categorize the sailing vessels into classes and the vessels compete within their class.
Sailing handicap racing is the common term used to describe races in which vessels of different speeds compete against each other and thorough resulting mathematical calculation, their true positions in the race owing to the skill of the crew is determined by invalidating the physical speed effects of the vessels.
These computations of which crew beat which are calculated by correcting the verified time it took each vessel to finish the race by numerical measure of the boat speed – its handicap.
Sailing handicaps come in two general types:
- Ratings – in which a numerical measure of a vessel’s speed is determined by calculation using physical specifications of the vessel – length, beam, displacement (weight), sail area etc. A Rating is fully objective as it addresses the performance of just the vessel.
- Empirical Handicaps – (commonly called just handicap), in which a numerical measure of a vessel’s speed is based on the past performance of the vessel in past races. An Empirical Handicap is hence a measure of the work of both the vessel and the crew.
By adjusting the race outcome data, handicapping allows vessels to compete in different classes, and allows the crews and vessels to compete on an equal basis based on the crew’s skills rather than equipment superiority.
The handicap number given to a class is determined on the vessel’s speed relative to a theoretical vessel with a rating of 0. A sailing vessel’s handicap rating is calculated by the number of seconds per mile traveled that the vessel in question should be behind the theoretical vessel.
Handicap Scoring Methods
There are 2 main sailing handicap scoring methods: Time-On-Time (ToT) and Time-On-Distance (ToD). In Europe, the Time-on-Time (TOT) scoring method is popular. Here the time annuity for a given race depends on the time of the race.
The analysis being that smaller vessels are at a downside if the race is a slow race if the time allowance does not change to account for the conditions of the race. This ToT method is only slightly harder to understand than TOD as the contribution at any point in the race can be afflicted by a change of conditions later in the race.
Most of the sailing handicap racing in North America is scored by the ToD method. Here a fixed time allotment, settled on the length of the course, is used to compute the corrected time.
An upside of TOD is that it is simple, and you can tell precisely where you stand at any point in the race. Both of these methods can be used to calculate the corrected time for each contestant with the lowest corrected score being the winner.
Handicap Calculator
What is a sailing handicap calculator? Prior to the start of the race, by entering the names of the boats that are racing with their handicap rating, the sailing handicap calculator app can capture the elapsed times of vessels going around marks or going over the finish line. It will then display the vessels in their place order with their corrected times next to them.
There are a couple of ways you can catch the elapsed times, by using the internal timer on the app or manually putting them in the app if using a stopwatch is preferred.
Handicap Apps
Handicap apps have improved a great deal. They now rival paper charts and chartplotters. There are numerous apps and online programs that help with the basic chartplotting capabilities.
Some are free and some are reasonably priced. What you want to look for in an app is the chart availability and type of chart used.
The most commonly support charts in the US are NOAA raster charts. These are scanned images rather than traditional paper charts. They are also larger in size but more complex display features.
Most of the apps will display a ship’s location in much the same way. However, the panning or zooming aspect works differently.
Each app has its own unique management for waypoints and how it creates routes. Something you will find universal in all apps is the way they support waypoints, routes and tracks. How the newer apps connect marks on the chart will differ from the older ones.
The most elaborate apps will import waypoints and routes via GPX and allows for sharing GPS information across multiple devices. Sharing this information amongst social media sites has become a favorite form of communication.
Cost of apps
As mentioned above some apps are free. The others range to a cost of around $50 dollars. If you download an app that doesn’t have NOAA charts, then there will be an extra cost of $20 to $100. Both Android and iOS support these apps and are conveniently located in your app store.
Leading 5 Sailing Apple Apps
Garmin BlueChart Mobile – Free (charts cost $29.99)
easy to use, clearly displays your position and route, set features which includes tides and currents, sun and moon phases, wind speed and direction and a distance measuring tool. It’s not intended to replace a chartplotter.
iNavX – $49.99
well established, free US NOAA raster charts which are saved, charts and maps available for purchase, real-time display of charts, featuring waypoint and route management, GPX import-export, GRIB weather forecasts, tides and currents and port/navaid search.
iSailGPS – $7.00, free NOAA raster charts
download and management of charts, import/export of waypoints, routes, and tracks. No guidebook or POI details. Intended for navigating but useful as a planning tool.
Transas iSailor – Free (charts cost starting at $4.99-$24.99)
a new app with a stunning interface and library chart covering the most popular cruising areas in the world, and import/export of waypoints and routes via GPX.
Navimatics Charts & Tides – Free (charts in US region $19.99, US & Canada West $24.99)
well established, features chart-quilting, search function to locate any location, marina or navigational item; graphically displays your route’s current track, desired track and cross-track information.
Leading 5 Android Apps
BoatBeacon – $9.99
handy app for navigating high traffic anchorages and areas close to shore, must have internet, can views other ships’ photos and CPA, speed, heading and size and share your info; with internet it can track boats with or without AIS, can view other ships ‘photos and details such as CPA, speed, heading and size.
Fugawi PathAway GPS Express Edition – $29.95
plots tracks, waypoints, and routes, can create customized charts and multi-layered maps, with an additional cost you can purchase a Weather Forecast map which displays wind, precipitation, and temperature.
Marine Navigator – $8.48, advanced version
free online download of NOAA raster charts and BSB/KAP charts, displays boat’s location, SOG and COG; user can add in tracks, waypoints and routes.
MX Mariner – $6.99
free raster charts from NOAA (US), LINZ (New Zealand), UKHO (UK and Ireland) and Brazil Navy, static offline charts, detailed charts on line, plots waypoints, tracks and routes, SOG and COG, bonus-multiple display light settings.
Navionics – Free (charts sold separately)
long running leading navigation app (Android and IOS), excellent vector charts with map, satellite and terrain overlays, charts waypoints, local information on weather and tides, wind forecasts, currents and moon/sun phases; share information via email or social media; advanced features are auto-routing and sonar charts for purchase.
In most sailors’ opinion, the most important features are chart management (waypoints, routes and navigation), the ability to import/export waypoints, community guidebook integration, onboard NMEA, WiFi network capabilities, and of course the ease of which it is to use. Overall, purchasing charts will be your biggest expense.
Any of these apps will be a good choice depending on your wants, needs and requirements.