Application  form instructions.   For boats not previously rated by PHR of the Chesapeake, ensure timely receipt of your Valid Certificate by completing/mailing the application to PHRF at least four (4) weeks prior to your first race.   Complete all of the required information on the PHRF Application Form as noted below.    Return the application form the PHRF address above.   Do not write in the block titled “For Handicapper’s Use Only”.   Applications may be sent to PHRF by dialing the automatic Fax machine at 410-414-3270, however No valid certificates will be issued until handicapper review is complete (allow up to 4 weeks) and the required fees have been received.      Ensure you review the PHRF Special Regulations for safety requirements and sign the Certification of Compliance  (Keep this certificate on your boat) BEFORE checking off the Equipment Category (4P, 5P,  or 6P).   Your application form must check off the Equipment Category (4P, 5P, or 6P).   Electronic (via e-mail) submissions of applications will not be accepted.   If you still need help with the form, call 410-414-3270, or contact your area handicapper.  If the information on the application form is not complete, it will delay issuing you a valid rating certificate.  Follow instructions below to ensure your application is completed accurately.

FEES / MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES.    Please review eligibility requirements for each membership category below, and check the appropriate blocks on the application form.  Fees are required with the request, application, or renewal form.  Fees may be provided by check (made out to PHRF of the Chesapeake, Inc) or by credit card on-line (available January 2010) at our PHRF website (www.phrfchesbay.com).   Go to our On-line Fee Payment Page to provide your fees via credit card.  You must return the completed application or renewal forms to PHRF.

1.   Membership, Valid PHRF Rating & mailings ($35).  Complete all sections of the application form.  This includes membership in PHRF, a valid rating for your boat, and all regular mailings.  You must meet the following requirements. 

a.  Any person representing themselves, a syndicate, or an organization, who is the owner/charterer of a sailboat principally berthed, or raced, in the vicinity of the Chesapeake Bay, may obtain a valid rating certificate from PHRF of the Chesapeake.

b.  Your boat must be a monohull of at least 20 ft. LOA and meet the PHRF Special Regulations  (4P, 5P, or 6P) for PHRF safety requirements.  Boats less than 20 ft. in length are eligible for a 6P rating only, provided they meet the 6P standards. 

c.   Complete all sections of the PHRF Application Form, and return, with payment, to the PHRF address above.

2.   PHRF Membership Only ($35).    Persons in this membership category will NOT receive a valid rating certificate.   Those eligible for membership must be a member of CBYRA, or a club belonging to CBYRA, who has held a PHRF Valid Certificate for five (5) years.   Complete section one of the PHRF Application Form, and return, with payment, to the PHRF address above.  

3.   Associate PHRF Membership ($15).     If you interested in receiving only PHRF mailings, apply for an associate membership.   Associate members are not represented on the Board of Delegates and will not be provided a valid rating for their boat.   Associate Membership requires no club affiliations.   Complete part 1 of the PHRF Application Form, and return, with payment, to the PHRF address above.

4.   Annual PHRF Rating/ Membership Renewal ($30/$35).     If you had a valid rating for your boat in the previous year, you will receive an annual renewal notice during January the following year.   To renew your valid rating certificate (and membership), you must return the signed renewal form to the PHRF office.   Carefully review the information on the renewal form for accuracy.   If the renewal form is returned to PHRF before April the renewal fees are $30, and renewals returned after March require a $35 fee.  

5.   Replace, or Modify your Valid Certificate ($15).    After your certificate is issued, PHRF requires a fee to modify your boat information on the valid certificate, or to replace lost certificates.   Changes to the hull, rig, or sails must be reported to PHRF prior to racing in the revised configuration.  Forward any changes to the PHRF office (address above) and include the required fees.    

6.   Valid List Subscription ($20).    Monthly subscriptions to our Valid List are available, if you require a printed, hard copy of the valid list.   With the subscription, it will be mailed to you monthly, April through November.   The Valid List is available on-line at our website at no fee.   Indicate your requirement for a valid list subscription on the application form and include the subscription fee, in addition to the application fee.

Section 1. OWNER INFORMATION.   This is essential information, necessary for your timely receipt of your valid certificate.  Please provide your current mailing address where you want to receive your Valid Certificate and/or mailings.

Section 2. SAILBOAT.   Ensure you review the PHRF Special Regulations for safety requirements and sign the Certification of Compliance  (Keep this certificate on your boat) BEFORE checking off the Equipment Category (4P, 5P, or 6P).   Your application form must check off the Equipment Category (4P, 5P, or 6P).   Also, make sure to provide a sail number for your sailboat. If the sails on your boat have only the manufacturers insignia and number, you must check with CBYRA (410-269-1194) to see if that is adequate (usually only for One Design classes). In many cases, CBYRA will have to assign a proper sail number , (click here to contact CBYRA).   It is important you have properly assigned numbers on the mainsail, spinnakers, and overlapping headsails. Make sure you include the additional information required (see the fixed prop rating credit form. ) if your boat is equipped with a fixed propeller.    Note the question on use of stored energy, which refers to the boats use of electric, hydraulic, or other means of stored energy to move or adjust the rigging, sails (i.e. electric winches), or ballast (movable or canting keels or centerboards).   You are required to report this with your application, and/or renewal forms.   Ensure you provide additional explanation on a separate page.

Section 4. SAILS.     You must choose either no spinnaker, symmetric, asymmetric, or both types of spinnakers.   Provide the overlap of your largest jib or genoa.   Report any mainsails with girth dimensions exceeding (i.e. oversize roach) the default values in our Standard Sail and Equipment Specifications on a separate page.  If using symmetric spinnakers (or both types) you must record the girth "G" and luff "L" of your largest spinnaker.  If using asymmetric spinnakers (or both types) you must record the requested information (ALU, AF, AMG, AF) for the largest asymmetric spinnaker.  You must also list any “Code 0” sails (midgirth between 50% and 75%) you are using and list the dimensions as if it were an asymmetric spinnaker.       Make sure you indicate how the spinnaker(s) are tacked to the boat (pole, bow sprit or lanyard) as indicated on the form.   If requesting roller furling credit, complete all the RF information required on the application form.  If the information is incomplete you may not receive a RF credit to your boats rating.   See diagram below for example of rig measurements and RF information required.

Section 5. OWNER VALIDATION AND CERTIFICATION. Your signature and date is required for this section.