NNL - why and how?
When racing on the water, a handicap-system has to be used except when the boats are similar or built to specific classes (e.g. 6mR). Racing without handicap-systems may be funny but will seldom provide good sport and tough competition - and why should good sport not be possible just because our boats are old?!
The handicap-rule NNL is only a "re-invention" of the old NL-rule which has been used in Scandinavia for more than six decades. In our mind that is one of the main advantages of the rule: it is "historically correct" to use this rule for our boats as this was the rule most of them were racing under in their youth! We dont see any need of inventing new handicap-systems. The NL-rule was not perfect but was considered to be the best approach until the revolution of fiber-glass.
The rule is meant to provide handicaps for boats of fairly similar designs and sizes - as is the case for any other handicap-rule. As an example, even for the highly advanced modern handicap rule DH-2002, proper grouping of the boats is vital. The guys behind DH-2002 is also very much in disfavour of "over-all" prizes as these prizes will only reflect which type of boat was favoured under the prevailing sailing-conditions.
The modern NL-rule, NNL, is simply the old one with some correction factors which purpose it is to rule out any advantage/diadvantage of using modern materials. Additional corrections are applied for use of spinnaker and installation of propeller.
In order to get a NNL-measuring certificate the boat obviously has to be measured. Measurements from NL, Scandicap or DH-rules may be enough for all/most of the measurements. In case the boat needs a complete measuring, this normally won´t last more than 1/2 hour.
At present, more than 80 boats hold a NNL-certificate. This means that we are now able to conduct serious racing for classic yachts here in Denmark.
May the best win!
13. February 2003
Thorbjörn J Andersen
KTS