CBH Yacht Handicap: Trailable Yachts & Sportsboats

Class Based Handicap, usually shortened to CBH, is closely associated with Australian trailable yacht and sportsboat racing. It provides class or boat handicap values that can be used to compare different designs on corrected time.

Australian Sailing currently maintains an application mechanism for modified, amended or one-off trailables and sportsboats that need a calculated CBH.

Why CBH fits trailables#

Trailable fleets commonly contain different designs with meaningful speed differences. Pure elapsed-time racing would strongly favour the fastest designs. A class-based corrected-time system allows a broader field to compete.

Class value versus individual performance#

The important conceptual difference from a performance handicap is that CBH is associated with the boat/class characteristics rather than changing simply because the current crew has a strong result.

A club can still run separate performance results alongside CBH.

Modified boats#

Changes to a class-standard boat can affect its handicap status. Australian Sailing's application material specifically addresses boats that have been modified or do not comply with a class rule.

Owners should check:

• whether the boat still matches a listed class configuration
• whether an individual calculation is required
• what measurement data is needed
• whether the race uses the current published list

Club choice for a trailer sailer#

CBH is only one part of choosing a club. Also consider:

• ramp access
• rigging area
• mast raising
• trailer parking
• storage
• water depth
• bridge restrictions
• race length and wind exposure

Official reference#

• Australian Sailing CBH application information: https://www.sailing.org.au/events/302119

CBH yacht handicap in a club race program#

A racing label is useful only when it can be tied to current documents or results. For cbh for trailable yachts and sportsboats, the strongest evidence is normally a current Notice of Race, Sailing Instructions, series page or results set.

A club can use more than one system or format at the same time. A yacht series might publish line honours, performance-handicap and rating-rule results from the same start. A dinghy club can provide class results and an overall yardstick result. Check which results and scoring system apply to your event.

Race preparation, equipment and entry costs#

The cost of participating in cbh for trailable yachts and sportsboats depends on the format. One-design racing can create pressure around sails and class-legal equipment. Measurement-rule racing can involve certificate and measurement costs. Offshore formats add safety equipment. Club performance handicap can be comparatively low-barrier.

Experience and support for new racers#

The existence of cbh for trailable yachts and sportsboats does not prove a beginner can enter easily. Look for novice divisions, development fleets, coaching, crew placement or lower-pressure series.

Sailing club selection and participation guides#

Entry and eligibility, the race documents worth reading, what published results reveal about a fleet and the questions to ask a sailing office apply to every format, so they are set out once in how club racing is organised.