The "TUGANTINE" Norfolk Rebel is the first designed and built sail-assisted tug boat. Designed by Merritt Walter and built by Howdy Bailey Yacht Services, she was first launched on May 22, 1980 in Norfolk. Her design was to harness the wind to help save fuel. The late Captain Lane Briggs used her for towing and salvage work. He also escorted tall ships and participated in OpSail events. Captain Lane and his tugantine also helped to develop the waterfront at Norfolk's Town Point Park.

In 1988 at the launching of Pride of Baltimore, Captain Lane challenged Captain Miles to a race down the Chesapeake Bay. The winner would buy the beer! From that challenge, the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race was born. Though he passed way in 2005, his spirit lives on in our love of the Chesapeake Bay and the schooners who sail here. Norfolk Rebel is sailing once again for the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, to keep Captain Lane's vision alive.

For over 30 years now, the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race has been hard at work on its multifaceted mission: to promote awareness of the Chesapeake Bay’s heritage; to encourage preservation of the Bay’s resources; to support Chesapeake Bay education and clean-up efforts; to bring historic schooners to the Bay; and to encourage schooner sailing and preservation. The race brings focus to the maritime traditions of schooners on the Chesapeake and brings attention to the environmental issues facing the Bay's ecosystem. All net proceeds of the race are donated to support youth education and other efforts aimed at preserving Bay ecology and culture. This is why the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race is proud to say they are “Racing to Save the Bay!”

Welcome to the 2022 Virtual Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race!

While normal sailboat racing happens on the water, this race is completely online. Each participating schooner has teamed up with a nonprofit partner, and is racing to raise as much money as possible for their charity. YOU can participate in the race by choosing a schooner, making a contribution, and sharing this webpage with your family and friends! 90% of gifts will go directly to the charity of your choice. The other 10% will help the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race achieve its mission to promote awareness of the Chesapeake Bay’s heritage; to encourage preservation of the Bay’s resources; to support Chesapeake Bay education and clean-up efforts; to bring historic schooners to the Bay; and to encourage schooner sailing and preservation. 

Please take a moment to learn more about our schooners and the organizations they support. At the start of the race, please come back here to make a donation and support your team!

Donation links will be available from 12:00 noon on Wednesday, August 24 through 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 27. 

Thank you for supporting our schooner community!

Please note: The Chesapeake Bay schooner community could not exist without people like you, and we're eager to keep in touch. If you opt in to email communications when you donate, GCBSR will share your contact information with the schooner you support, as well as the partner nonprofit that will receive your donation. If you do not wish to be contacted, please opt out of communications on the form