Australian Class Based Handicap (CBH) Rating System

For Trailable Yachts and Sports Boats

Australian Sailing undertook a review of the role of the National Trailable Yacht & Sports Boat Committee in 2020

As part of this process, a survey of stakeholders was conducted which attracted over 470 responses. The feedback from this survey resulted in some small changes to the handicapping model, as well as the procedures for managing ratings applications. 

The Class Based Handicap (CBH) formula has now been updated to align it with World Sailing’s Equipment Rules definitions and remedy some other previously identified issues. This change will ensure the rating is more inclusive, allowing a wider range of Trailable Yacht and Sports Boat Classes access to a CBH rating. 

As a result of the changes to the model and definitions the Trailable Yacht & Sports Boat Rule has been amended to reflect these changes and has now become the CBH Rating System. 

In addition, the National Committee has been disbanded and the CBH ratings function will be administered internally by Australian Sailing staff. Australian Sailing will also coordinate the hosting of the National Championships, in line with the way other Australian Sailing events are managed.

The Rating System is intended to: 

• Provide a National System for even and fair racing on handicap in a mixed fleet of Trailable Yachts and / or Sports Boats
• Ensure transparency across the rating system 
• Allow Trailable Yacht and Sports Boat owners to gain a new CBH at any time of the year
• Support Australian Sailing in its work to promote Trailable Yacht and Sports Boat racing activities within the states and territories and at national level. 

Key Points:

• The Rating System only requires boat measurements, not performance data.
• The CBH rating list will be published online and updated regularly and new boats are added.
• The CBH formula will be reviewed annually and any amendments will be posted from time to time.

CBH Rating System document 

NEW APPLICATIONS and AMENDMENTS:

To declare your boat or your class measurements you will need to upload the Measurement Input Sheet that you can be downloaded here

Measurements input sheet Rev J-05

• If you are a Class Representative and you want to declare your Class measurements to get a CBH rating, you can do it online Apply
• The measurement manual for CBH is available here.
• The light ship requirements for weighing  are explained here.

• If you are the owner of One of A Kind boat that can't fit in any Class (either because it has been modified or because it's a one off design) you can apply online for a new CBH rating or to amend an exsisting certificate here.. Apply or Amend CBH a fee of $100 applies for each application.

CBH RATING LIST:

The CBH rating list will be updated on a day to day basis with new measurements and new Classes as they come to hand. The CBH formula will be reviewed once a year on the 1st of July. The ratings are presented as a PDF any boat with a rating of 1 has insufficient date at the time of publishing this report.

The rating formula is reviewed once a year and a new list is issued each year on the 1st of August.

The Australian Sailing Rating office is still looking for some Class measurements. If you can provide measurements for a Class that is not listed in the new rating list, please contact the Rating Office, your help will be much appreciated:

ratings@sailing.org.au

(02) 9170 6917

Software Update: (2nd of Sept 2022)

The calculation of effective length has been updated resulting in rating changes. (120822)

Non-Spinnaker CBH Calculation altered generally increasing the NSCBH value 2% to 3% (020922)

MEASURERS:

The CBH rating needs to be measured by an Australian Sailing Accredited Measurer. You will find the list of Measurers in Australia here.

FAQ:

1. Can I use both the old and the new rating system in one event?
   No, the new rating is a different formula than the old one. 
2.   My boat/class is not in the new CBH rating list, how can I add it?
   To add a boat or a Class to the CBH list you need to contact the Ratings Office (ratings@sailing.org.au) or follow the steps found in the “NEW APPLICATION” paragraph at the top of the web page.
3. Why is the CBH rating formula not published?
   The CBH rating formula is not published to prevent the optimisation of a boat to “beat” the rating. The aim of the CBH is to be a simple rating system, cheap and easy to use. The aim of this rating is not to encourage boat modification outside of Class Rules.
4. What does it cost to add a boat or a Class to the CBH list?
   There is a charge of $100.00 to add a boat or a Class to the list.
5. I modified my boat, it doesn’t comply with the Class Rules anymore, what should I do?
   If a boat doesn’t comply with its Class Rules because it has been modified, then the owner will have to provide the new measurements for the boat and apply for an  OAK (One of A Kind) CBH rating