To obtain a Valid PHRF Rating Certificate from and/or become a member of PHRF of the Chesapeake, Inc., please follow the instructions below.

PHRF of the Chesapeake, Inc., P.O. Box 3169, Prince Frederick, MD 20678

* To view/use the PHRF Application and PHRF Minimum Equipment & Accommodation Standards forms you must have Acrobat Reader on your PC.  Click Acrobat Reader for downloading instructions*

For boats not previously rated by PHRF 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.

Instructions for completing the application form

Complete the information on the PHRF Application Form as noted below.    Submit the application form, with appropriate fees, via the USPS to 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 fees have been received via mail.    If the information on the application form is not complete, it will delay, or prevent, us from providing a valid rating.   Please complete all required information and sign the form.   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.

PAYMENTS/MEMBERSHIPS.
Please review eligibility requirements for each membership category below, and check the appropriate blocks on the application form. Include your check for the total payments made out to: PHRF of the Chesapeake, Inc.   After your certificate is issued, PHRF requires a $15 fee to change information at your request, or to replace lost certificates.

Valid PHRF Rating & mailings.   If you are requesting a rating for your boat, complete all sections of the application form.  This includes a membership in PHRF, a valid rating for your boat, and all mailings except for the Valid List.  Annual subscriptions to the Valid List, in hard copy, are available for a fee.   The Valid List is available on-line at our website at no fee.  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 2008 Special Regulations  (4P or 5P) for PHRF safety requirements.  Boats less than 20 ft. in length are eligible for a 5P rating only, provided they meet the 5P standards. 

c.   Complete all sections of the PHRF Application Form, and mail, with the required fees to the PHRF address above.

PHRF Membership Only (No Valid Certificate will be provided).    PHRF of the Chesapeake will allow persons to obtain membership, without boat ownership.  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.   Those choosing this membership option must complete section one of the PHRF Application Form, and forward with fee, to the PHRF address above.  

Associate PHRF Membership (to obtain PHRF mailings only).     If you interested in receiving PHRF mailings, you may 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 mail with the required fees to the PHRF address above,

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.  Provide all information in this section if you require a Valid Rating.  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 or 5P).   Your application form must check off the Equipment Category (4P or 5P).   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 CBYRA LOGO 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.

Section 3. RIG.   Provide all information in this section if you require a Valid Rating. Ensure you provide accurate rig (I, J, P, E) measurements.  Check out the definitions of measurements if you have questions about information required on the application form!    P2 and E2 are for boats with a second mast (Ketch, Yawl, etc.). All boats must provide the length of the spinnaker pole, and or whisker pole, as SPL.   Boats using whisker poles that have a red limit indicator should provide the maximum pole length without showing the red indicator.  Spinnaker boats must provide both the tallest hoist of either type of spinnaker (SH or I2) and SPL if spinnakers are tacked to the end of a spinnaker pole, or BS if using a bowsprit. If spinnakers may be tacked to either a bow sprit or spinnaker pole, supply both dimensions (SPL and BS).

Section 4. SAILS.    Provide all information in this section if you require a Valid Rating. You must provide the overlap of your largest jib or genoa. Please report any mainsails with girth dimensions exceeding the default values in our Standard Sail and Equipment Specifications on a separate page. You must choose either no spinnaker, symmetric, asymmetric, or both types of spinnakers. If using symmetric spinnakers (or both types) you must record the girth "G" and luff "L" of your largest 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.    If using asymmetric spinnakers (or both types) you must record the requested information for the largest asymmetric spinnaker. If requesting roller furling credit, complete all the RF information required on the application form.

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