Slow Handicap Fleet
The Slow Fleet is a group of very friendly people. Many are experienced sailors who once sailed double-handers but now sail single-handed. There is therefore a natural tendency to matiness both on and off the water. New inexperienced, or experienced, sailors are made very welcome, and are soon ‘gathered in’ and made to feel part of the Ogston family. Help and advice is always available but is not pushed on people finding their way.
The Slow Fleet Captain (Ken Mackenzie) has written this page: as fleet captain, but not nearly the best sailor in the fleet, I am happy to answer your every-day queries and/or introduce you to the class captains, of classes within our fleet, who will know all the tips you need to set up and sail your chosen boat. They are all friendly and always prepared to help you.
For the uninitiated, a PY indicates the expected performance of a class. The higher the PY, the slower the boat. A boat with a PY of 1100 would be expected to take 10% longer to complete a race than a boat with a PY of 1000, in the same race. In a handicap race, the PYs of classes are used to adjust the time taken by each boat to complete the race. This allows different classes to race together on equal terms.
The Slow Handicap Fleet at Ogston Sailing Club is made up of potentially many different classes of dinghy, a few of which are profiled below. If a dinghy has a Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) of 1076 or more then it may be part of the Slow Handicap fleet.
Some applicable classes, however, have their own fleets, e.g. Enterprise 1137, and Laser (ILCA/Laser 4.7: 1216, Radial: 1154, Laser 1 1104). These are NOT part of the Slow Handicap fleet. Note that sometimes a class has more than one PY due to variations between boats, sails, number of crew, etc. within the class.
It is worth noting that a boat's class handicap (PY) represents its average expected performance against boats of other classes, over a wide range of conditions. Some boats will do better than their handicap suggests in light airs, while others will do better in stronger winds. It is worth enquiring about how a boat is likely to fair in the typical conditions at Ogston before purchasing a boat.
PYs mentioned on this page have been updated for 2025 onward. The most popular dinghies which make up the Slow Handicap Fleet are -
The Slow Fleet Captain (Ken Mackenzie) has written this page: as fleet captain, but not nearly the best sailor in the fleet, I am happy to answer your every-day queries and/or introduce you to the class captains, of classes within our fleet, who will know all the tips you need to set up and sail your chosen boat. They are all friendly and always prepared to help you.
For the uninitiated, a PY indicates the expected performance of a class. The higher the PY, the slower the boat. A boat with a PY of 1100 would be expected to take 10% longer to complete a race than a boat with a PY of 1000, in the same race. In a handicap race, the PYs of classes are used to adjust the time taken by each boat to complete the race. This allows different classes to race together on equal terms.
The Slow Handicap Fleet at Ogston Sailing Club is made up of potentially many different classes of dinghy, a few of which are profiled below. If a dinghy has a Portsmouth Yardstick (PY) of 1076 or more then it may be part of the Slow Handicap fleet.
Some applicable classes, however, have their own fleets, e.g. Enterprise 1137, and Laser (ILCA/Laser 4.7: 1216, Radial: 1154, Laser 1 1104). These are NOT part of the Slow Handicap fleet. Note that sometimes a class has more than one PY due to variations between boats, sails, number of crew, etc. within the class.
It is worth noting that a boat's class handicap (PY) represents its average expected performance against boats of other classes, over a wide range of conditions. Some boats will do better than their handicap suggests in light airs, while others will do better in stronger winds. It is worth enquiring about how a boat is likely to fair in the typical conditions at Ogston before purchasing a boat.
PYs mentioned on this page have been updated for 2025 onward. The most popular dinghies which make up the Slow Handicap Fleet are -
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Solo
A popular dinghy that is available in wood, fibreglass or a combination of the two. In recent years these have become very competitive at our sailing club because they are agile boats that suit reservoir sailing well. There is a large number of Open events locally and all around the country which gives the Solo owner opportunities to travel occasionally to sail, or to race regularly against boats from other clubs. (The Solo has a PY of 1139 from 2025), Older wooden boats are generally slower than more modern hulls. The sails are notable because they are ‘fully battened’, that is to say that the sail battens run right from the mast to the leach. This helps the sail keep its shape, particularly in light winds, but can be difficult to re-shape after a tack. Sails can be in conventional Dacron or modern laminate materials. These can be fairly technical boats to sail, with controls led back to the helm via continuous line systems. Some people find them a little uncomfortable because of the large centreboard case that runs much of the length of the boat and its low boom. An older example might cost £1000 whilst a new boat will set you back by over £10,000. Class association - https://www.solosailing.org.uk/ Second hand Solos for sale: https://sailingdinghies.apolloduck.co.uk/boats-for-sale/sailing-dinghies/solo Solo boat-builders: https://www.solosailing.org.uk/builders |
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:Comet
The Comet is a small but fast and exciting dinghy for club racing. Its length is 11'4"/3.45 m. There are a number of Comet single handers in the fleet, and the club owns several that can be sailed by members who book them out. It comes in a number of variants including the original Comet, the Comet Mono and Comet Extra/XTRA. All share the same 2025 PY:1208. Having been built for twenty five years, there are large fleets at many clubs and the active Class Association organises plenty of Comet races each year. The Comet is a fast dinghy for its handicap in light winds. The 50kg hull and two-piece mast will easily cartop. The Comet Mono uses a shorter bottom mast and smaller rig, making it ideal for juniors and light-weight mature sailors wishing to avoid spills. The Comet Extra/XTRA variant uses a 6 sq m Mylar Sail on a slightly shorter mast. The sail has battens and a zipper on a sleeve luff allowing the sail to be raised on a halyard. The more efficient sail make the Extra. easier to sail especially in higher wind ranges. Class association: www.cometsailing.org.uk/ Comet Dinghies Ltd: www.cometdinghies.com/comet.php |
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Comet Trio
The Comet Trio is a 15 foot/4.6m long two-person dinghy that we use for training because they are easy and forgiving to sail and are very adaptable. There are two relevant (2025) PY numbers, dependent of the set of sails and mask used (called a Rig): COMET TRIO MK 1 Rig 1088 COMET TRIO MK 2 Rig 1053 The Trio has a low cockpit floor and high boom for easy tacking and gybing. The Trio has an incredibly roomy cockpit that easily accommodates a large family with all round “sit in” seats providing security for the young and inexperienced. Normally sailed in a two-sail setup, which you will be familiar with if you have been on our sailing courses, they can also have an asymmetric spinnaker (like an extra big jib on a pole extending from the front of the boat) with which they become a higher performance boat which can also be competitively sailed by a crew of three. Trios are made from fibreglass, and there is a local builder. They are relatively easy to maintain, being essentially weatherproof. The mainsail is able to be reefed making it easier to sail in stronger winds, and the boat is commonly sailed on the sea and in estuaries due to its good 'sea-keeping'. The Dacron furling jib can quickly reduce the sail area so even beginners feel confident and in control. If you want to take it on the sea, you can fit an outboard on the back by adding a motor pad. There are a number of Comet Trios that can be sailed at Ogston by members who book them out. The Class Association organises Championships, Open Meetings and Cruising Events. Trio owners are friendly and easy-going and make newcomers really welcome. Class association: https://cometcombinedclasses.co.uk/ Local Comet Trio builder: www.peakdinghy.com/comet-trio/ |
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Mirror
This is a very popular young family starter boat which was designed as a home built boat some 60 years ago, but much updated factory built composite versions are available with Aluminium spars. Ideal for training young people, many of the UK's top sailors started in a Mirror. It is raced widely and actively both in the UK and abroad. It's ease of handling makes it a very good single-hander sailed with main and jib. It also has a spinnaker so all the skills needed on a three sail boat can be used. For racing the crew is usually two lightweight persons. From 2025, the two PY numbers for the Mirror are for double-handed sailing with a spinnaker and for single-handed sailing without a spinnaker: MIRROR (D/H) with Spinnaker: 1368 MIRROR (S/H) without spinnake: 1375 The Mirror is small, light, easy to sail, and easy to transport, and it is also a stable family boat ideal for just "messing about" in. The boat can be rowed or fitted with a small outboard motor - it can then accommodate four or five people. More than 70,000 have now been built and there are many second hand ones available on the usual market places such as Ebay and Apollo Duck at very modest prices. £500 should get you a perfectly serviceable boat. A brand new Mirror dinghy in the UK costs between £5,000 and £7,900, depending on the builder and specifications. Trident UK also offers wooden hull kits starting from £1,300, for those wishing to build their own boat. Class Association : www.ukmirrorsailing.com Second-hand Mirrors for sale: https://sailingdinghies.apolloduck.co.uk/boats-for-sale/sailing-dinghies/mirror Self-build Mirror kits and complete Mirror suppliers: https://www.tridentuk.com/gb/boats-and-catalogues/mirror-parts-catalogue/mirror-boats-hulls-and-kits.html FRP Mirror boat-builder: https://www.winderboats.com/boats/mirror/ |
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RS Tera
The RS Tera is a modern, single-handed sailing dinghy designed for young sailors. It is 2.87m long and is suitable for learning, training, family beach fun, and is a single-hander racing boat for kids. It comes up dry from a capsize, and is quick and simple for youngsters to rig. There are two relevant (2025) PY numbers, dependent on the sail and mask used (Pro or Sport versions):
RS TERA PRO 1370
RS TERA SPORT 1445
Second-hand boats start at £750 but you may need to spend more for a good one. Take advice from an owner with experience competing (i.e. with a youth in their family who is regularly racing a Tera). New, a boat will cost between £3,500 and 4,500 depending on the options selected.
Second-hand Teras for sale: https://sailingdinghies.apolloduck.co.uk/boats/rs/tera
Tera boat-builder: https://www.rssailing.com/rs-pricing-uk/
Class Association : https://www.rstera.org.uk/
Other dinghies recently seen sailing at Ogston, and potentially in the Slow Handicap fleet include the RS Feva, GP14, Splash, Firefly, Topper, Wayfarer and others.
For more information about the Slow Handicap fleet at Ogston, contact the fleet captain, Ken Mackenzie, on [email protected] or seek me out on the shore-line or in the bar. My sail number is 5163 (a Solo).
The RS Tera is a modern, single-handed sailing dinghy designed for young sailors. It is 2.87m long and is suitable for learning, training, family beach fun, and is a single-hander racing boat for kids. It comes up dry from a capsize, and is quick and simple for youngsters to rig. There are two relevant (2025) PY numbers, dependent on the sail and mask used (Pro or Sport versions):
RS TERA PRO 1370
RS TERA SPORT 1445
Second-hand boats start at £750 but you may need to spend more for a good one. Take advice from an owner with experience competing (i.e. with a youth in their family who is regularly racing a Tera). New, a boat will cost between £3,500 and 4,500 depending on the options selected.
Second-hand Teras for sale: https://sailingdinghies.apolloduck.co.uk/boats/rs/tera
Tera boat-builder: https://www.rssailing.com/rs-pricing-uk/
Class Association : https://www.rstera.org.uk/
Other dinghies recently seen sailing at Ogston, and potentially in the Slow Handicap fleet include the RS Feva, GP14, Splash, Firefly, Topper, Wayfarer and others.
For more information about the Slow Handicap fleet at Ogston, contact the fleet captain, Ken Mackenzie, on [email protected] or seek me out on the shore-line or in the bar. My sail number is 5163 (a Solo).
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