chesapeake bay yacht racing association

• Fleet Policies
• CBYRA Regions
• Operational Calendar
• Executive Board
• Handicapper Bios
• Handicappers
• Past Presidents
• PHRF Foundation

PHRF is an association formed to provide the means for equitable racing among sailboats of differing designs. PHRF of the Chesapeake issues handicaps, keeps master records, sets rules for its own high point competition, and performs the other services and activities common to class associations. PHRF of the Chesapeake is a class association of the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association (CBYRA), and is a charted fleet of US-PHRF, a committee of the US Sailing Association (formally U.S.Y.R.U.). PHRF of the Chesapeake is controlled through by-laws and Fleet Policies voted on by a Board of Delegates which are included in this yearbook. Delegates are PHRF members appointed to represent the PHRF certificate holding members of their clubs on the Board of Delegates. The Board of Delegates and regional VPs represent members of PHRF of the Chesapeake at a yearly meeting to elect officers and review the regulations, bylaws and policies governing the association.

PHRF handicaps are established by local Area Handicappers acting together in regular meetings. A major objective of PHRF is to foster racing. Consequently, PHRF is usually the first class to permit new or “different” sailboat designs, rigs, or sails, so long as they appear to be safe and can be reasonably handicapped.

Handicaps are expressed as seconds per mile time allowance, and are based on the Handicappers' assessment of the relative speed potentials of the rated sailboats. Ratings are periodically reviewed and refined as necessary. Sailboats from less than 20 feet in length overall (LOA) to over 70 feet race under the rule. The sailboats are usually divided into sub-groups based on ratings to provide for closer racing in larger fleets. A brief history of PHRF of the Chesapeake is included in this yearbook.

Our Role in the CBYRA Handicap Division

In 1976, PHRF was sanctioned by CBYRA. In 1981, USYRU (now US Sailing) recognized PHRF as a full committee under its Offshore Racing Council. PHRF of the Chesapeake is the largest sanctioned class in the CBYRA Handicap Division. The member of the Handicap Division with the largest membership has right of first refusal to chair the Handicap Division at CBYRA and represent all handicap racing as a voting member at CBYRA Executive Board meetings. The President of PHRF of the Chesapeake appoints a member of our association to represent our members and be the communications conduit between CBYRA and PHRF of the Chesapeake.

US PHRF and US Sailing

The national US PHRF committee is an arm of the US Sailing Association (US Sailing) Offshore Council, which controls all US Sailing handicap racing except multi-hulls. US Sailing is the name of the national sailing authority (previously known as USYRU) adopted by vote in 1991. In 1992, cruising multi-hulls were admitted to the US PHRF organization, and are now represented on the US PHRF board.

The US PHRF Committee is made up of ten members and a chairman. The members are appointed for a three year term, and are generally selected from the larger PHRF fleets. The Committee was formed to provide a national forum for the individual PHRF areas, to voice their problems, and find solutions. Although the Committee provides guidance and services, each individual fleet operates autonomously. PHRF of the Chesapeake has had a member on the US PHRF Committee for many years, and has taken an active role in the operations of the Committee.

One activity the Committee has instituted is the National Handicap Appeal Board. This Board is composed of a chairman and four other members. Members do not serve on the Board when an appeal from their area is being decided. Of all of the appeals submitted thus far, only thirteen percent have been accepted for hearing by the Board. The Board hears only appeals that it believes have merit, and the decision of the board is final. Less than 50 appeals have been submitted since the Board was formed.

Though its participation in the US PHRF committee, our local fleet benefits from the exchange of information with other areas and the discussion of contemporary issues. PHRF of the Chesapeake is recognized as a valuable contributor to the effectiveness of US PHRF.

How to Join PHRF of the Chesapeake

Join online here . To receive an application package for PHRF membership contact your club PHRF delegate or area handicapper, or mail requests .

Requirements for Membership and a Valid Rating Certificate

A regular membership is required to obtain a valid rating for your sailboat. Any person representing themselves, a syndicate, or an organization, who is the owner or charterer of a sailboat principally berthed, or raced, in the vicinity of the Chesapeake Bay, may apply for membership and a rating. Your boat must be a monohull sailboat, and must meet the safety requirements (see later sections of the yearbook for details). All prospective members are encouraged to join a local club that is affiliated with CBYRA, and/or become a member of CBYRA. Local clubs and CBYRA perform valuable functions and services to the sailboat racing community. CBYRA and/or local club membership is required for boats competing for PHRF high point awards. Details on how to join CBYRA are available from the CBYRA office at 612 Third Street, Suite 4A, Annapolis, MD 21403, by calling 410-990-9393, or by visiting their website at www.cbyra.org . The CBYRA website also has links to many sailing clubs on the Chesapeake Bay.

Requirements for Associate Membership

Associate Membership requires no club affiliations for persons not requesting a valid certificate. Associate memberships are available to those not wishing to obtain a valid rating and are not represented on the Board of Delegates, but receive all PHRF mailings (Mainsheet, Yearbook), except the Valid Listing subscription, which is available to all members at a minimal fee. If you wish to become an associate member, simply complete the name and address information on the application form and send, with application fees, to PHRF at the address above.

Completing the Membership/Rating Application

Joining PHRF is easy! Obtain a PHRF membership application package as described above, or from a PHRF of the Chesapeake area handicapper. A list of area handicappers and the clubs they serve may be found elsewhere in this yearbook. Feel free to contact the handicapper affiliated with your club or area if you have any questions about the application.

If you are applying for a regular membership, you must complete the application form and the Certification of Compliance for special regulations for safety requirements. The application form asks you to obtain a basic set of descriptive dimensions of your sailboat from brochures or simple first-hand measurements, enter them onto an application form. The Certification of Compliance for special regulations for safety requirements requires you to certify that your boat meets applicable safety requirements. You must return the completed application form with the correct fees to your area handicapper. You should keep a copy of your Certification of Compliance on your boat.

You should identify your boat by name, model (i.e., Catalina 27), and sail number. Check with CBYRA (see above), our local yacht racing association, to obtain a proper sail number.

Carefully review the special regulations for safety requirements (included in this Yearbook or on our website) and check off 4P, 5P, or 6P on the application form. After making certain that your sailboat complies with the category (4P, 5P, or 6P) you have chosen, complete and sign the Certificate of Compliance form. Do not send the Certificate of Compliance to PHRF, as it must be kept on board your sailboat whenever you race. Generally, data taken from manufacturers' literature, or sales brochures of the sailboat is sufficiently accurate, if the sailboat has not be modified. If you doubt the accuracy of the brochures measurement, or believe your sailboat is different from a standard example of its class, make the measurements yourself and make a notation on the application. Measurement of spinnaker poles and sails are best taken by you or your sailmaker.

After completing the necessary information about your boat and sails on the application form (with the help of your area handicapper, if needed), be certain to read and sign it at the bottom. Send the completed application, with the required fee, to: PHRF of the Chesapeake . You must provide the required fees at the time you submit your application for a rating. Payment may be made online at our website (www.phrfchesbay.com) or by submitting your check or money order with your application. If you choose the personal check option, don't forget to enclose your check with your application forms.

When the completed application and payment are received, the data from your application is entered into the PHRF database, and then a handicapper will review the information and determine a rating for your boat. When the review of your application is complete, a valid rating certificate will be issued to you along with a copy of the current PHRF Yearbook. The valid rating certificate will be in effect until 31 March of the year following its issue. Ratings must be renewed on a yearly basis to remain effective.

If you wish to view all PHRF of the Chesapeake member sailboats, and their valid handicap ratings, check our web site (‘www.phrfchesbay.com') for the latest listing. This valid list, updated weekly throughout the racing season (April – October), is available for on-line viewing. The final valid list is published in early November and will remain on the website until the expiration date (31 March of the following year).

Home  News  Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association Wins 2019 Mallory Trophy

Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association Wins 2019 Mallory Trophy

John Loe and CBYRA Take First Place Honors at 2019 U.S. Adult Sailing Championship

Complete Results and Standings

MARION, Mass. (September 8, 2019) – The 13 teams representing their Regional Sailing Associations were challenged by the fast-paced action with varying conditions on Buzzards Bay over four days at the 2019 U.S. Adult Sailing Championship for the Mallory Trophy, hosted by the Beverly Yacht Club. This year’s “Mallory” proved to be a US Sailing National Championship to remember. After 48 total races including six races in Sunday’s Stage 3 Final, a winning team was determined.

John Loe (Highland Beach, Md.) and his team representing the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association (CBYRA) and the Annapolis Yacht Club earned the win on Sunday in a closely contested final round. The winning crew includes Jake Doyle (Annapolis, Md.), Jamie Gilman (Galveston, Texas), and Robbie Deane (Essex, Md.).

Loe and Trey Sheehan (Chagrin Falls, Ohio), of the Inter-Lake Yachting Association (I-LYA), each finished Sunday’s Stage 3 Final Round with 23 points over six races to place them in a tie atop the leaderboard. Loe earned the tie-breaker edge over Sheehan with their three first place finishes on Sunday over Sheehan’s one first place finish.

Crewing for Sheehan and the I-LYA this week was Brad Boston (Point Edward, Ontario, CAN), Curtis Florence (Ohio), and Tyler Black (Newport, R.I.).

The top eight teams started the Final Round with a point representing their Qualifying Place (QP).

Final Standings – Stage 3 / Sunday Results: Top 8

• John Loe (Chesapeake Bay YRA): 1 (QP) -6-1-8-4-2-1 = 23
• Trey Sheehan (Inter-Lakes YA): 2(QP) -2-2-1-5-5-6 = 23
• Peter Levesque (Narragansett Bay YRA): 3(QP) -8-3-4-1-4-3 = 26
• Ryan Seago (Detroit RYA): 6(QP) -1-6-2-6-3-2 = 26
• Will Stocke (Florida SA): 4(QP) -3-5-5-7-1-4 = 29
• Mike Hanson (Inland Lake YA): 5(QP) -5-7-3-3-7-7 = 37
• Matt Romberg (Texas SA): 7(QP) -7-4-6-9-6-5 = 44
• Chip Johns (Southern Mass. SA): 8(QP) -4-8-7-2-8-8 = 45

This Championship was sailed using league racing, a fast and competitive format, featuring two flights with teams frequently rotating boats between races. Each team raced an equal number of races against the other competitors. Races were approximately 15 minutes in duration and race management ensured quick rotations with on-the-water judging.

Stage 1 included two rounds of racing for all 13 teams over Thursday and Friday (Day 1 and 2). Each team completed eight races per round with boat rotations. A total of 26 races were conducted over the first two rounds. Stage 1 determined the top four teams advancing to Sunday’s final Stage 3.

On Saturday, the Stage 2 Repechage round featured the remaining nine teams battling it out over six races to determine the next four teams, 5-8, advancing to Stage 3.

Strong winds with blustery conditions dominated the race course for most of Friday and Saturday, as remnants of Hurricane Dorian pushed north through the Atlantic Ocean. Teams raced in 15 to 20 knots with gusts in the 20s for most of Friday and Saturday. The breeze dropped considerably Saturday afternoon for the final two races of Stage 2. The wind was blowing in the low to mid-teens on Thursday.

Sunday Quotes:

John Loe (Chesapeake Bay YRA): “We were racing for my grandfather this week who is not feeling well. I wasn’t sure I was going to make it here. That’s who we were racing for and that’s why we are here.”

Trey Sheehan (Inter-Lakes YA): “It was fantastic sailing this week and we had a great time. Race committee did a great job and the Beverly Yacht Club threw one heck of a party.”

Ryan Seago (Detroit RYA): “The best advice I could give out here is to keep it simple and don’t over think it. The course is always a new game for every start.”

Peter Levesque (Narragansett Bay YRA): “We approached every race like a new challenge in the variable, shifting conditions. The fleet was very tight. You could drop five places at any one of the marks. It was very hard to go the other direction.”

Staton J. Peele Sportsmanship Trophy winners :

Bosun Team: Peter d’Anjou Cam Tougas Julian Sudofsky Paul Bradley

Sailor Quotes from Day 1 and 2 Thursday, Sept. 5 – Friday, Sept. 6

“The racing format was interesting, but if your start is not there, it’s difficult to make anything back. Today it was shifty, lumpy, and bumpy. Wind from the north and then the east, not the norm. No real advantage for the home team.”

William Colehower (Marblehead, Mass.) – Mass Bay Sailing Association

“The racing format is like college sailing in a bigger boat and I am 56 years old, adding to the excitement.”

#MalloryTrophy19 at the Beverly Yacht Club. pic.twitter.com/6bDo9FizGB — US Sailing 🇺🇸⛵️ (@ussailing) September 6, 2019

Sailing Comes First at the Beverly Yacht Club

Through all the adversity and challenges the Beverly Yacht Club (BYC) has endured since the club was founded in 1872, the most important objective of the club remains true today – sailing comes first.

From the Great War and the Great Depression to devastating hurricanes through the years, the Beverly Yacht Club has stayed true to their original purpose – to promote sailing and good fellowship among its members, while welcoming visiting sailors.

The Beverly Yacht Club takes a great deal of pride in welcoming sailors from all over the world to their charming Buzzards Bay venue in Marion, Massachusetts. They have a long history of hosting the Olympic Trials, US Sailing National Championships, and other major sailing events. This week, the Beverly Yacht Club is playing host to the 2019 U.S. Adult Sailing Championship for the Mallory Trophy.

US Sailing connected with BYC longtime member and future Rear Commodore, Mary Pierce about the “sailing first” culture here at Beverly Yacht Club.

“We are here because we all love to sail, and it still is primarily a sailing club today. It’s all about the racing, cruising, and having fun on the water. We take pride in that. Running races is what we do. We run over 250 races from June through October for our members in five one-design and three PHRF classes five days a week,” said Pierce.

She also discussed how the club pulls together the necessary resources and volunteers to run these events throughout the busy sailing season.

“We have 54 sailors here at the Mallory and we have about 60 volunteers, not including the Race Officers, who we brought in from the outside. We have more volunteers than competitors and practically more support boats than boats racing. This allows us to run a world class event here on our little patch of water. This is what we do and we want to invite others to come sail here.”

Learn more about the Beverly Yacht Club .

2019 U.S. Adult Sailing Championship Preview

• Results and Standings

MARION, Mass. (September 3, 2019) – Regional Sailing Associations (RSA) from around the United States will be well represented this week by a talented group of sailors competing for the historic 2019 U.S. Adult Sailing Championship, hosted by the Beverly Yacht Club. Thirteen teams will be fleet racing for the Mallory Trophy in the J/80 over four days on Buzzards Bay. Competition for this legendary trophy gets underway on Thursday, September 5 and wraps up on Sunday, September 8.

“Running races is what we do at the Beverly Yacht Club,” said Event Chair, Mary Pierce of the Beverly Yacht Club. “We run over 250 races from June through October for our members in five one-design and three PHRF classes five days a week. This year we also hosted the start of the Marion Bermuda Race and the Beverly Junior Regatta that had over 200 boats participating in 4 classes. We have the resources, experience and enthusiasm to ensure great racing for the sailors.”

Returning to defend the 2018 title is Michael Hanson (Deephaven, Minn.) of the Minnetonka Yacht Club and his team representing the Inland Lake Yachting Association and Area K. Hanson and his team dominated the regatta, hosted by the Wayzata Yacht Club (Minn.) and raced in the J/22, posting the low score of 53 points to win the coveted Mallory Trophy. They won six races and finished outside of the top three only three times in 20 races for an incredibly low average score of 2.7. His 16-point margin of victory is the largest since a 21-point victory in 2011. Hanson and crew won the first four races and never looked back.

Returning to crew for Hanson from the 2018 team is Mark Swift (St. Paul, Minn.), along with newcomers Maclean Potts (Hopkins, Minn.) and Judson Koehn (Minnetonka, Minn.).

Hanson is not the only returning champion competing this week. Charles Quigley (Winthrop, Mass.) of the Boston Yacht Club won this title in 2002 and 17 years later he hopes to capture a second Mallory Trophy. Quigley and his team representing the Mass Bay Sailing Association and Area A includes David Bryan (Boston, Mass), who won with Quigley in 2002, Kay VanValkenberg (Boston, Mass.), and William Colehower (Marblehead, Mass.).

Another local standout sailor will be on hand to challenge Hanson and the rest of the fleet. The 2018 J/80 North American Champion, Chip Johns (Mattapoisett, Mass.), will be a major contender for this year’s Championship. Johns will be sailing with Alex Gryska (Marion, Mass.), William Godfrey (New York, N.Y.), and William Marvel (Marion, Mass.). Gryska and Marvel sailed with Johns as part of the winning J/80 North American Championship team. Johns is representing the Southern Massachusetts Sailing Association, Area A, and is a member of the Beverly Yacht Club.

This Championship will be sailed using league racing, a fast and competitive format, featuring two flights with teams rotating every two races. Each team will race an equal number of races against the others. Races are approximately 15 minutes in duration. The host club ensures quick rotations and on-the-water judging, in addition to an improved viewing experience for spectators.

“We will be tested in conditions that we don’t regularly sail in,” said Hanson. “The J/80 is a new platform for us, with very few of them around the Twin Cities area. We managed to find one to practice on over the past few weeks, so we will be coming into the event as prepared as possible. One thing we like about the event format is the small courses and the fast-paced nature of the racing. It is a format I’m used to from both college sailing and match racing, so we look forward to bringing the smackdown on our competitors when things get tight.”

To drive more participation in the event and to improve diversity overall for the Championship there are several requirements per boat. Sailors under 30 make up 25% of the team and female sailors make up at least 25% of the team. A bonus is provided if a female is a helm.

The Mallory Trophy, a magnificent sterling silver tureen trophy, has a long and colorful history that dates to the Battle of the Nile in 1798. Racing for the Mallory Trophy was first held in 1952 as the U.S. Men’s Sailing Championship and transitioned to an open event in 1993. Since then it has become a more open and inclusive regatta, allowing female skippers and all-female crews. In reflection, the regatta was renamed the U.S. Adult Sailing Championship in 2013.

“It’s great to see so much enthusiasm here at the Beverly Yacht Club in anticipation of hosting this historic regatta,” said Jack Gierhart, CEO of US Sailing and Commodore of the Beverly Yacht Club. “The Beverly Yacht Club has a longstanding tradition of hosting major national and international regattas, including many US Sailing National Championships and Olympic Trials, and the club will add to its legacy by hosting its second U.S. Adult Sailing Championships this week on Buzzards Bay. I know the club is excited to welcome these talented sailors to this spectacular sailing venue.”  

Event News and Coverage

• List of Teams
• For Championship news and updates visit the event news and coverage website .
• Follow @USSailing on Twitter and use hashtag #MalloryTrophy19 for more regular updates from the race course. Check us out on Instagram for stories through the weekend.
• For additional event information, visit the event website .
• Photos available upon request for editorial purposes.
• US Sailing medals will be awarded to the top three teams.
• The first place team will be presented the Clifford D. Mallory Trophy.
• The Staton J.Peele, Jr.Trophy voted upon by the sailors may be awarded for sportsmanship.

Media Contacts: Mary Pierce, Event Chair, Beverly Yacht Club, [email protected] Jake Fish, US Sailing Communications, [email protected]

About US Sailing The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and advancement for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Bristol, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the US Sailing Team. For more information, please visit www.ussailing.org .

About Beverly Yacht Club The BYC was established in 1872 and our purpose is “To promote yachting and good fellowship.”  We are proud of our active racing, cruising and junior sailing programs and fortunate to be situated on the western shore of Buzzards Bay, one of the world’s great sailing and cruising grounds. Along with our own racing schedule, we are proud to host the Buzzards Bay Regatta in even years, and to sponsor the Marion to Bermuda race in odd years. The club has also hosted dozens of regional and national championship events over the years as a result of a strong volunteer ethic, race management expertise among the membership, and a desire to support and advance the sport at all levels. Our cruising schedule is equally ambitious and you will see our burgees flying around the bay, the region, and occasionally around the world. Learn more about the Beverly Yacht Club at https://beverlyyachtclub.org/ .

Copyright ©2018-2024 United States Sailing Association. All rights reserved. US Sailing is a 501(c)3 organization. Website designed & developed by Design Principles, Inc. -->

As a member club of US Sailing and the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association, the Magothy River Sailing Association sponsors a premiere regatta on the Northern Chesapeake Bay – the Spring Fling.

MRSA also sponsors Wednesday Night Racing on the Magothy River, the mid-week races often have as many as 30 registered boats racing in 5 different classes throughout the summer. Members of MRSA, Gibson Island Yacht Squadron, the Yacht Club of Cape St. Clair and the Potapskut Sailing Association rival in spirited, good-hearted competition for trophies and special awards.

MRSA also hosts a great Fall series on Sunday afternoons through November – the Hallie Rice Fall Series.

Did you know that MRSA is offering a referral bonus for anyone who brings out a new racing entry for 2024?

• If you recruit a boat that enters Wednesday Night Racing Series on the Magothy (who was not registered to race in 2023), you will receive $25 off your race entry fee this year.
• This bonus is additive- bring out more racers, get a bigger bonus. Two entries, that’s $50 off and so on…

_Junior Training Release v2

Participant, parent or guardian, _junior training registration v2, emergency contacts during program hours:, medical information, volunteer days for supervision, membership application, boat information, please submit dues ($150.00 ($100 membership+ $50 initiation fee)) via the mrsa webpage at: https://magothysailing.org/join-mrsa, racing registration, 2023 magothy river sailing association race entry form, requested race committee date, series participation, online payment available or mail checks to (payable to mrsa):, junior training medical waiver.

BayDreaming.com

Your guide to the chesapeake bay, chesapeake bay boat racing, racing on the bay.

The Chesapeake Bay offers a wealth of sailing and motorboat racing opportunities.  Many yacht clubs sponsor weekly racing series.  The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association is an organization of over 75 member clubs that helps organize and manage races in more than 50 different classes of boats.   More info .

Spinsheet Magazine is a free monthly publication available throughout the Chesapeake Bay region.  Spinsheet covers Chesapeake Bay racing, cruising, general sailing, and junior sailing.  The online version of this sailing magazine provides lots of great information including event listings, reviews, and a nice photo gallery.

 One class of racing unique to the Chesapeake Bay are the Log Sailing Canoes.  There are about 20 of these sleek sailing craft, some of which are over 100 years old, sailing on the Chesapeake Bay.  The Chesapeake Bay Log Sailing Canoe Association hosts a series of races throughout the summer season.

Another class of sailboat unique to the Chesapeake Bay is the Chesapeake 20.  The Chesapeake 20s are a racing and recreational class of traditional one designs that are large enough for family and friends to sail. The class originated in the 1920-30’s era. There is one Chesapeake 20 on Exhibit at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.  See the Chesapeake 20 racing schedule .

For those interested in real speed, there are several hydroplane racing regattas hosted throughout the season.  These include the venerable Hampton Cup Regatta and the Cambridge Power Boat Regatta .  These regattas draw large crowds of spectators to watch the excitement.

Additional Information

Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association

Spinsheet Magazine

Chesapeake 20 Racing Schedule

Hampton Cup Regatta

Cambridge Power Boat Regatta

Why should I Race:

• As an excuse to go sailing.
• To meet other sailors.
• To improve your sailing skills.
• To obtain various pewter dishes and glass drinking vessels at an exorbitant price.

What do I need to Race with CMA?

• A Multihull, with appropriate safety equipment, food, and beverage.
• Crew, appropriate for the boat and conditions.
• Other boats to race against.  Check out this year’s schedule .

How do I get a rating?

• The Ratings Chair assigns ratings for all Multihulls racing in CBYRA races. Contact the CMA Rating Chair to begin the process
• If your boat model has previously been measured, you may be assigned a rating based on the standard model. If you have a design that CMA has not previously measured, the Ratings Chair will work from designer’s drawings, or you may have to schedule a time to meet with the club measurer and have the boat measured.  Weights are often estimated based on manufactures data.  If available, actual weights from a track station or load-cell are preferable, and generally advantageous.
• Don’t let the rating be an obstacle to getting to the starting line. The club has the option of assigning a provisional rating and this can often be done quickly to get you ready for the first race.

Should I join Chesapeake Multihull Association?

If you plan to do only one race during the season, a courtesy rating can be arranged from the Ratings Chair .  Otherwise, a Racing Membership to CMA is required.  See our About  page for details.

How can I get advice and “real time” information from a club member?

Try joining the CMA Yahoo! Discussion Group https://groups.io/g/Chesapeakemultihull , and ask a question.  

How do I enter a race?

• The CBYRA website and/or the sponsoring yacht club will have up to date racing information, the current racing schedule, Notice of Race [NOR], Sailing Instructions [SI’s] and any last-minute changes. The announcement for the race will include instructions for entering and the entry fee.  The CBYRA Greenbook is available to CBYRA members and is an excellent summary of the NOR’s and has other information in it.
• For most races on-line entry is available and encouraged or required.  The links for this year’s races are embedded in the racing schedule . 
• Most races are about $30 to enter.  Note that US Sailing Members generally get a discount with each race entry.  As discussed below, a combined CBYRA/US Sailing membership is generally a good investment.  You cannot qualify for the CBYRA Trophies [High Point, etc.] without being a CBYRA member.

Where do we dock at the end of the race?

The hosting club will usually make provisions for overnight dockage and this may included in the race entry fee.  Since there are many participants, boats usually raft-up at the host club. There are plenty of other sailors on the docks to catch your line and help you come alongside. If you are not sure where to dock, call the club on VHF or cell phone and they will give you directions.

Some races include an overnight stay. What facilities are available?

This varies by event.  In general, your options for an overnight bunk are:

• stay on   the boat;
• get a hotel nearby;
• put up a tent on the club lawn (at some clubs); or
• for the Governor’s Cup, rent an inexpensive, air-conditioned  dorm room or townhouse at Saint Mary’s College.

The host club will usually have shower and bathroom facilities.

Are meals included in the race fee?

No. The host club will generally have a pay-as-you-go dinner, bar and party (usually with a band) on the day of the race and usually provides a pay-as-you-go breakfast the following day. The party is not just for racers, and you can have friends meet you at the end of the race. Some races will include a banquet dinner (Governor’s Cup) or have an all-inclusive party (Race to Baltimore).

Some clubs are within easy walk or cab to tourist areas such as Fells Point or St. Michaels if you would rather dine out.

Should I join the CBYRA ?

The sanctioning body for sailboat races in the Chesapeake Bay is the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association ( CBYRA ). They publish the “Greenbook” annually that includes the Notice of Races and the regional maps with the permanent racing marks that are used to define the race courses (usually a government buoy or lighthouse). If you intend to race, you are strongly encouraged to join the CBYRA and get a copy of the Greenbook.  

Should I join the US Sailing ?

It is not required to join the US Sailing in order to race in CBYRA. However, there are some reasons to join. Strictly from a racing point of view.

·     Discounted race registration fee for many of the races, and discounted fee for getting your sail number. This pretty much pays for the annual registration fee if you race a significant amount.

·      A copy of the Racing Rules of Sailing is included in your membership

·      Other benefits are listed on the US Sailing website.

Who do I contact to get my Sail Number?

US Sailing delegates authority for issuing sail numbers by region. Detailed information is at http://offshore.ussailing.org/Sail_Numbers.htm . If your boat needs sail numbers, or came with sail numbers, contact CBYRA, and they will give you instructions how to obtain new numbers or transfer the existing ones to your name.

Karin (Drexel) Masci

612 Third Street, Suite 4A

Annapolis, Maryland 21403

Office Phone: 410-990-9393

Office Fax: 425-871-0554 Cell Phone: 484-686-1401

Office Email: [email protected]

  Detailed instructions on size and location of sail numbers is at the above website.

What are the Racing Rules of Sailing?

If you are going to race, you need to know at least the basic rules.  They can be downloaded at http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/RRS2009-2012-[5950].pdf .  There are many good books that give the basic rules.  Examples and other information are available at http://store.ussailing.org/ .

Do I need Signal Flags?

You must have the appropriate multihull class flag placed fore and aft during races.

We love it when you show the CMA burgee, but it’s not required.

How about Safety?

Ultimately, it is the Skipper’s responsibility for the ship and crew’s safety.  The skipper must make a decision about the safety of a race based upon the boat, the crew, and the conditions.

Besides knowing how to handle your boat in all conditions, there are important skills that you need to have to deal with tough situations,

Man overboard recovery

Reefing sails

Dowsing sails

Recovering a man overboard is very situation specific.  US Sailing has a good reference . 

Our boats are incredibly responsive to wind gusts and reefing is a critical skill that needs to be practiced before you *need* it and utilized often.  When the wind starts building it’s generally safer and faster.  Your boat will have slab or roller reefing.  Make sure you know how to use it and can get sails shortened quickly.  UK has a good reference here .  Generally if you’re thinking about reefing, you’re already late. 

Certain multihulls can flip in certain situations.  It is very rare and generally occurs when racing and we’re pushing the boats.  Flipping can ruin your day, but if you know the manufacturer’s recommended procedures for righting, it does not have to ruin your sailing season.  Corsair has an excellent sailing manual that outlines the process for their boats and has a ton of advice that applies to all multihulls.

We generally race under ISAF Offshore Category IV.  The intimate details of this are available at http://www.sailing.org/tools/documents/OSR2010Complete101209Web-[7979].pdf .

In general, you need to meet all of the standard US Coast Guard and State of Maryland Safety Regulations.  A good start is http://www.uscgboating.org/default.aspx .

The rules for racing can be pretty convoluted but are straight-forward for 90% of times boats meet.  A good reference is here .

Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association

CBYRA OFFICERS

Need to contact cbyra, please contact an officer below or email: [email protected].

JOSH COLWELL CBYRA President (Acting) [email protected]

JOHN WAYSHNER CBYRA Treasurer [email protected]

LISA COTTELY CBYRA Secretary [email protected]

JOSH COLWELL Vice President Race Management [email protected]

STEVE TOOLE Vice President Member Outreach [email protected]

BETH SCHEIDT CBYRA Cruising One Design Division Chair [email protected]

MAX PLARR CBYRA Junior Sailing Division Co-Chair [email protected]

HEIDI BAY CBYRA Junior Sailing Division Co-Chair [email protected]

RANDY RICHTER Handicap Division Chair [email protected]

TYLER PHILLIPS One Design Division Chair [email protected]

BRUCE BINGMAN US Sailing Liaison [email protected]