WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY RACING?
There are hundreds of regattas around the Chesapeake region each year featuring competitive sailing in many categories. CBYRA is comprised of more than 50 member clubs and fleets, more than 30 classes of racing sailboats, and hundreds of individual members.
Founded in 1914, The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association (CBYRA) is the principal organization supporting competitive sailboat racing in the mid-Atlantic United States. Acting as an advocate for sailing throughout the Chesapeake Bay, we promote, coordinate and administer organized racing through our area yacht clubs to ensure the continued growth and support of area racing.
Junior Sailing • One Design • Cruising One Design • Handicap
So you’re new to racing? Well you’ve come to the right place! We’re going to assume you DO know how to sail, and perhaps you’ve tried racing a time or two on OPBs (Other People’s Boats)… but now you are ready to try taking your boat out to the starting line!
HERE’S WHERE TO START:
CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Explore the surrounding areas and what’s around you. Most likely there is a fleet already racing. Ask people on the dock (who are preparing to race), what club they are racing under or what club or association is hosting the races. 99 to 1 they’ll be happy to engage in conversation and give you full contact information.
Clubs will be private Yacht Clubs that have a formal initiation, dues structure, and might even have a waiting list in order to apply for membership. For the beginning racer, contact a local sailing or yacht association.
Associations are usually broader based “organizing authorities” for local sailboat racing comprised of boats from both clubs and individual racers who do not necessarily belong to a “yacht club.” Associations typically have reasonably priced membership fees, and allow you to participate in weeknight racing and some weekend racing (depending on the organization and what kinds of weekend racing they host).
Unless you see a bunch of boats that look amazingly like yours headed out to the race course (those would be One Design), you are going to need a handicap rating. There are some rating options now on the Chesapeake.
For most weekend racing, you will need to apply for a valid rating certificate through the PHRF of the Chesapeake Handicap and Certificate System:
For more PHRF information:
For bay racing on the Chesapeake, in other words CBYRA races, you can also race in a class called CRCA (The Chesapeake Racer Cruiser Association). This typically is for cruising boats – boats that do not have minimal or stripped-out interiors, but instead may carry all the creature comforts of yachting (e.g., air-conditioning, full galleys, and even sport a bimini or two). This class can assign a free “ARC” class rating for up to 2 races. If you decide you like racing in CRCA events, then you are encouraged to head over to the Offshore Racing Rule website and apply for an ORR-Ez rating:
Once you get a rating certificate, you should get in touch with your local association’s race officer (usually you can find this on-line) and get your boat registered for racing. Fees are usually in the $65 – $100 range, depending on the association.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• KNOW THE RULES
Become acquainted with sailing rules and regulations. The Racing Rules of Sailing are available on-line. Visit the WORLD SAILING and download the PDF file HERE.
• GRAB A MENTOR
Still a little nervous about racing? Contact some of our folks on the CBYRA MENTOR LIST. These are experienced racers who will calmly get you through the starting sequence, mark rounding and the rest of the course. We won’t guarantee you’ll win, but you will have fun and learn a lot.
• JOIN CBYRA
Once you’ve received your handicap rating certificate and paid the association/club dues, you are pretty much good to go. We’d love it if you would consider becoming a member of The Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association as well!
CBYRA offers High Point Competition, High Point Awards, Grant Opportunities, Race Publications, Race Discounts, Sailing Education and Instruction through our Live Webinars, and more! Organizing, scheduling and providing resources for racing on the Chesapeake takes up an enormous amount of volunteer hours, not to mention significant funds. Membership enables us to continue to provide such Member Services. Please go HERE and join CBYRA today!
• JOIN US SAILING
Once you’ve become totally addicted to racing, or even as a beginner, you should consider joining US Sailing. They do a tremendous amount for sailors in the U.S.A. and you can learn tons more about what they do HERE.
• CHECK OUT THE SPINSHEET RACING TEAM
For Chesapeake sailors who give the season their all; cultivating the sport, inspiring others, and making their boats go fast, no matter the weather. Read more about dates, qualifications, criteria and rules: SPINSHEET RACING TEAM
*All regattas must take place on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay or its immediate tributaries. You do not have to be racing the same boat for every race or regatta.
A word about sail numbers…
If you bought a used boat that someone may have raced, it probably has sail numbers. These large numbers, sometimes accompanied by letters, are on your main sail, headsails and spinnaker (they should all match). If there are no numbers, visit our SAIL NUMBER ASSIGNMENT page for more information and registration. CBYRA keeps track of and assigns sail numbers.
WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE WATER SOON!
Feel free to contact CBYRA if you have any questions!
• office staff: receptionist@cbyra.org
• president: president@cbyra.org
• other officers contact info: HERE