Spring Series 2026

The Spring Series

For general club racing series, there are three distinct fleets.

General Handicap Fleet:

Any mono-hulled dinghy with a hull length less than 6.4m (21.0ft) with a recognised Portsmouth Number (PN) as published by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA).

There is a combined fleet start and all sail the same course. There is a prize for the first, second and third places overall at the end of the series.

The Class Captain is Michelle Brooks.

 International Laser Class Association (ILCA) Fleet.

This fleet consists of the ILCA 7 (Standard), ILCA 6 (Radial) and ILCA 4 (4.7) class of dinghy. There are two distinct fleets and you need to make a decision at the start of a Race Series which fleet you intend to sail in. (You can not change fleets mid series).

The ILCA 7 Fleet allows you to change sails during a series using either the ILCA 7 or ILCA 6 sail.

The ILCA 6 Fleet allows you to change sails during a series using either the ILCA 6 or ILCA 4 sail.

Both the ILCA 7 and ILCA 6 Fleets have a combined start and sail the same course. There is a prize of first, second and third places for the two fleets at the end of the series.

The Class Captain is Andrew Perrott. Email Andrew 

 Asymmetric Handicap Fleet:

Any mono-hulled boat (hull length less than 6.4m / 21ft) with an asymmetric gennaker or a multi hull or a foiling hull that has a recognised Portsmouth Yardstick. (Multi-hulls and foiling hulls are subject to the discretion of the Main Committee for approval to race. Foiling multi-hulls are prohibited).

Asymmetric boats with a PY of less than 1005 sail four laps of a windward / leeward course.

Asymmetric boats with a PY of more than 1005 sail three laps of a windward /leeward course.

There is a combined fleet start.

There is a prize for the first, second and third places overall at the end of the series.

The Class Captain is Martin Gibson. Email Martin 

 

 Racing course and starting.

The course for the General Handicap Fleet and the ILCA Fleet are displayed on a Course Board on the side of the Race Committee(RC) boat and generally use a combination of the Blue fixed marks located around the perimeter of Farmoor 2 reservoir. Although additional moveable marks may be used. The default number of laps is 10 unless shortened by the RC.

The course for the Asymmetric Fleet is a windward/ leeward course displayed on a separate course board on the Race Committee boat. Boats with a PY greater than 1005 sail 4 laps and boats with a PY less than 1005 sail three laps.

 The starting sequence is detailed in the Sailing Instructions: Generally there are three starts; The first start on a Sunday is 11:00 hrs for the Asymmetric fleet followed three minutes later by the ILCA fleet and three minutes after this by the General Handicap fleet.

The start and finish line is defined by a line from the Race Committee boat and a dhan buoy with a flag on it.

 Races are generally 45~60 minutes long depending on conditions. There is usually two races sailed back-to-back on a Sunday.

Joining in with racing.

If you want to race make sure you sign the declaration sheet by the Club Notice Board with your name and sail number before you launch. If you retire during a race please indicate this on the declaration sheet when you get ashore to inform the Race team.

Anyone can join in the club racing; its a great way to improve your sailing skills as well as competing with like-minded members. There are plenty of people on the beach to provide help and advice or you can contact the relevant Fleet Captain for more information.

Providing the wind strength is within the 20mph limit, borrow a club boat and join in with the racing.

Last updated 9:06pm on 30 January 2026