Plym Yacht Club 2021 Sailing Update

“Aspirational” Sailing Programme 2021

Thank you to all those who responded to our virtual consultation, the main body of opinion was very supportive of our efforts in 2020 and the dynamic approach we took. Whilst there are those who are keen to “Sail Normally” and those who want us to champion the “White Sail Only” approach, 2021 promises to be another challenging year and your Sailing Sub-Committee have opted to have an “Aspirational Position” which is to endeavour to deliver something close to our usual Sailing Calendar as soon as the situation allows, whilst following a “Pragmatic and Dynamic” solution to ensure we can get on the water and have some fun as soon as allowed.

In reality it is not known what will be allowed or we will be able to deliver, therefore we do not intend at this stage, to issue our normal 24page booklet, but the following is an outline of how we hope to approach 2021.

We normally start the sailing season with the Gin Series. A series of 4 events with one or two races per event, attracting the hardy and seasoned early birds, also used as a shakedown series to get boats and crews up to speed. This year it is unlikely that we will have as many boats as normal in the water and ready to race and we are re-directing the sponsorship towards our 50th Anniversary Regatta. We are however offering an Open Event series for all comers, on a free of charge basis. The Duty Race Officer will appraise the entry list, the forecasted weather and decide on an appropriate offering for each Day. Crews Options will be Single Handed, Two Handed or Family/Covid19-Compliant.

Our Main Summer Series normally has 20 Races across two series. This year we will divide the 20 Races into 3 series of 6. The First Series will adopt the White sail Staggered Start Concept. PLEASE NOTE first start will be 18.00, To begin with the series will be run very much as we as we did last year. Again, Crews Options will be Single Handed, Two Handed or Family/Covid19-Compliant. If, as we proceed through the season, we decide to change our approach to Racing due to easing of Covid19 regulations then any change will only be instituted at the start of a mini-series or the start of the Autumn Series.

Many of you will have noted that 3 x 6 = 18 and therefore there are some spare Friday Nights, this is designed to accommodate our 50th Anniversary Regatta and a Flexible Race Evening concept, where you Duty Race Officer will design a “Course of Interest” but something different to the norm.

For Handicapping, we stick with dual scoring all races with NHC and Club Rating and also are able to offer results for IRC, VPRS and One design where there are sufficient valid ratings. We will have starting handicaps for NHC and Club rating for all boats that raced with us in 2020, both a ‘With Spinnaker’ TCF and a ‘White Sail TCF’ for each boat, in each case. (That’s 4+ TCFs per boat so far!) There may well be some new Boats but our Handicap Analyst should be able to cope with these, possibly by giving them provisional numbers if they make a late entry.

We are hoping to be able to run Coastal Races (inc. Ullman Series) and Regatta in some format or other and have included in the Aspirational Programme. Maybe similar to our “It’s Not Salcombe” effort last year – Entry Requirements SI’s and Costs will be subject to our ongoing appraisal and be promulgated as the year progresses.

Entry & Race fees! It is intended to offer our Racing at a significantly reduced price in 2021. As stated, entry into our April series will be Free! Therefore, apart from any Regatta/Coastal Race or similar event which will be costed and priced separately, PYC members (*Paid Up as at 1st April 2021) can make a single payment of £30 for all series racing (prior to 1st Summer Series Race) and that will allow entry into all Series Races throughout the Year, (Spring, Summer & Autumn Series) Non PYC Members can make a single payment of £45 for the same benefit. If Skippers want to adopt a pay as you go approach this will be charged at a rate of £5 per race. An entry form will be made available and details of submission will follow.

*Please remember PYC Membership year now runs 1st April – 31st March.
Paddy – Rear Commodore Sail