Jolly Dolphin is a wooden sailing vessel modeled on early Chesapeake Bay oyster dredgers. Referred to as a "three sail bateau," or "two-masted skipjack," it is a successor to the bugeye. Jolly Dolphin was built for a Delaware family for recreational use by James B. Richardson on LeCompte Creek, Maryland in 1958. From 1964 until 2007 she passed through the hands of a half dozen owners, and was abandoned ashore in 2004. Restored with the help of the Richardson Maritime Museum from 2007 to 2010, privately owned and maintained Jolly Dolphin has provided traditional sailing experiences for community outreach. Over the years Jolly Dolphin's passengers have included including middle school and high school STEM students, conservationists and Maryland history enthusiasts. She is currently berthed on the Magothy River.

Jolly Dolphin is proud to be sailing this year on behalf of the Magothy River Association, an organization that supports conservation and education on her home waterway. Magothy River Association works for the preservation and improvement of the water quality, plants, and wildlife of the Magothy River and its watershed. The organization's efforts include a comprehensive oyster program that includes an oyster nursery, reef restoration, and a dive program to monitor oyster populations.

Welcome to the 2023 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 23 through 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 26. 

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. GCBSR will share your contact information and notification preferences with the charity you donated to.  If you do not wish to be contacted by GCBSR, please opt out of communcations on the donation form.