2025 Racing Program

FBYC Article III

The object of Fishing Bay Yacht Club is the development of the art and science of sailing, along with the acquisition of knowledge in seamanship, navigation, meteorology, aerodynamics, yacht design and construction, and related disciplines. The Club furthers this purpose by promoting and encouraging races, regattas, and cruises.

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Offshore Division

FBYC’s Offshore Division hosts three major club racing series for PHRF-rated sailboats:

• Spring Series

• Fall Series

• Long-Distance Series

The season begins with Opening Day in mid-April and concludes with the traditional Closing Day festivities. Two additional Winter Races are scheduled after Closing Day.

Stingray Point Regatta

A signature three-day event over Labor Day Weekend, the Stingray Point Regatta includes:

• Day 1: Government mark race

• Days 2–3: Around-the-buoys racing

This regatta consistently attracts a strong turnout from around the Bay and features competition for:

• The Brent Halsey, Jr. Memorial Trophy

• The Southern Bay PHRF Championship

Cruising Class

The Offshore Division now includes a Cruising Class, offering courses tailored for boats more oriented toward cruising. Handicaps can be obtained from:

• PHRF of the Chesapeake

• FBYC (provisional rating provided)

Crew Development

All racing events offer opportunities for:

• New Members

• Crew Training Program graduates
  to race aboard FBYC boats as part of experienced teams.

Away Regattas

FBYC boats continue to compete in regattas and series throughout the Bay and beyond, showcasing our club across the region.

Offshore Division Championship Trophy

Awarded annually to the skipper with the best cumulative score during the Spring, Distance, and Fall Series, based on the:

• High-Point Percentage Scoring System

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One-Design Division

The One-Design season begins in April with Opening Day and features racing for:

• Flying Scots (FS)

• Melges 15 (newest fleet)

• Portsmouth Handicap (PORT)

• ILCA Dinghies / Lasers

Key One-Design events include:

• Club Series for ILCA Dinghies spaced throughout the season

• Annual One-Design Regatta – July 20–21

• Chesapeake Bay Laser Masters Championship – October

• Long-Distance Race – July 4th

• Summer Seabreeze Regattas – Held in August and September

• Jere Dennison Legacy Regatta – August

  • For skippers aged 60+

  • Crew may be of any age

• Fall Series – Begins in September and continues through October
  (FS, Melges, PORT, and ILCA fleets)

FBYC’s traveling One-Design sailors will continue to represent the Club at regattas across the eastern U.S. Let’s support our volunteers and work together to keep strong fleets on the starting line and uphold the high quality of racing FBYC is known for.

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Junior Program

FBYC’s Junior Programs are a national model, supporting sailors aged 6 to 18 through a wide range of developmental and competitive opportunities. Junior sailors from FBYC now compete across the Chesapeake Bay, the U.S., and internationally.

Six Core Summer Components:

1. Opti Kids

2. Junior Week

3. Sailing School

4. Development Team

   • Prepares sailors for competition

   • Emphasizes confidence and foundational racing techniques

5. Opti Race Team

6. ILCA (Laser) & 420 Race Teams

Achievements:

• FBYC teams have regularly won the CBYRA High Points Series (Opti, Laser Radial, and 420 divisions) since 2007

• Supported by top international coaches

• Backed by excellent resources, including club-owned boats and committed volunteers

FBYC’s Junior Program reflects our Club’s long-standing commitment to sailing excellence.

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Race Day Organization

FBYC relies on member volunteers to organize and manage racing and social events. Each event has defined leadership roles with clear responsibilities:

Event Chair

• Plans, markets, staffs, and manages all aspects of major sailing and non-sailing events
  (Does not run the races themselves)

• Not assigned for typical weekend series races

Race Committee Chair (Principal Race Officer – PRO)

• Oversees and conducts the racing portion of each event

• Ensures racing complies with:

  • Notice of Race

  • Event/Special Sailing Instructions

• Responsibilities include:

  • Recruiting assistants to staff signal and mark boats

  • Appointing a Protest Committee if needed

  • Submitting race results to the Division Lt. Commander

  • Award presentations post-race

  • Serving as official liaison with the U.S. Coast Guard for regattas

⚠️ If an event is canceled, the PRO must notify the Coast Guard at (757) 374-3408 (Waterways Duty Cellphone) or via VHF Channel 16, and also notify the Fleet Captain

Junior Race Committee Chair

• Serves as PRO for Junior races

• Ensures safe and compliant race operations under NOR and Sailing Instructions

Social Chair

• For regular races, handles post-race refreshments (soft drinks, beer, snacks)

• For larger events, works with Event Chair to manage:

  • Food and beverages

  • Entertainment

  • Recruiting social volunteers

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FBYC’s racing and instructional programs depend on member involvement and volunteer leadership. Whether you’re racing, volunteering, or cheering from shore, your participation helps keep our Club vibrant, competitive, and community-oriented.

Let’s get boats on the line, support each other, and continue to raise the bar for racing excellence at Fishing Bay Yacht Club.