The Portsmouth Yardstick Scheme - what can it do for you? 

At a meeting, held in the NW Region, at Bolton SC, Bas Edmonds and Andy Wibroe put forward a strong case for clubs to take a closer look at the PY Scheme. The audience of approximately 40 people represented a wide range of clubs, classes and venues in the NW region which included dinghy clubs, keelboat clubs, those who sail on inland waters, rivers and the sea.  

The main points were:

·         The PY Scheme produces numbers that should be used as a guideline or starting point for clubs to use and adjust to local circumstances. They should not be seen as being set in stone. Clubs are encouraged to adjust the published PY and make a return to the PYS Scheme.

·         The numbers produced and published annually depend on data being returned from clubs – data about how the published numbers work and how they have been adjusted locally.

·         As more clubs send in data more meaningful data will be produced.

·         Not all clubs that use the PY system to calculate results make that return so valuable data about local adjustments is lost.

·         The system used to input data by clubs might be one reason why clubs do not return data so the data input system has been revised

   A revised website will be launched at the Dinghy Show

    Two versions will be available to choose from:

§  PYS Pro – bells and whistles and all the working out shown – for those who want to know how it all happens and who might wish to introduce variables;

§  PYS Lite – upload your Sailwave, Excel spreadsheet or similar, press the button and suggested adjustments appear – the same accuracy as Pro but easier.

·         Things to remember:

   Clubs need to adjust before PYs can be adjusted;

   More clubs need to make returns;

   Make your returns in standard format ;

§  Record configurations:

§  spinnaker or not,

§  number of crew

§  etc.

·         If you do you might have fairer racing, more boats on the water in with a chance, share out the trophies, improve entries, and retain membership.

The web address for the scheme is www.pys.org.uk and if you have any questions about the PY scheme please contact Bas Edmonds by email at bas.edmonds@rya.org.uk. He is also willing to come to talk to a group of interested sailors so don’t hesitate to contact him.  

If you have any views or comments on the article above please contact David Helme, webmaster NW Region

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Article Published: February 16, 2012 11:32