Fin V Lift ?? - Sonata Bulletin Board

Author	Topic: Fin V Lift ??
babysigma New Member	posted 02 July 2002 02:50 PM Hi everyone, I am thinking of buying a Sonata to race at home and away, but as my home base is a shallow estuary, I would really need to have a lift keel version. What I would like to know, is are these competitive to race against Fin keel Sonatas, or does everyone opt for the Fin. What do the rules say etc. Would a lift keel have to have handicap and therefore cease to be a one design?? Any help on this question would be great thank you all. Andy Morris
Jon Morrison New Member	posted 07 July 2002 10:30 PM In response to your query on Lift v Fin and handicapping. I am a club Handicapper and as with most sailing clubs, when we race Sonatas in a mixed fleet, we use Portsmouth Yardstick handicapping. The Fin Sonata is a Primary yardstick of 1038. This means it is a very reliable number as a result of many race returns to the RYA. The lifting keel version has been given a higher number and this number has varied from club to club. If you intend to race a "lifter", I would strongly advise that you contact your local club and ask the handicapping officer for his advice - and hopefully a number to get you racing. Providing the club allows you to race with other Fin Sonatas and the race is timed, I would imagine you would have as much chance of winning a race as a Fin version. Jon Morrison. Handicapper; South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club.