Non-Schooner Invitational Class Bennu is a 1980 Cherubini 44 Ketch, designed by John Cherubini in the early 1970's and built in Delran NJ. She is a smaller sistership to the other Cherubini Schooner entries and is honored to be included in the new nonschooner invitational class. Bennu is a well-traveled boat: she has sailed all over the world, including a full circumnavigation of the globe. Team captain Julianne DeGraw Fettus acquired her after spending 2019 crewing for the previous owner, getting her ready for the 2020 Annapolis to Bermuda Race. Over the past few seasons, Bennu has competed in the Annapolis to Newport Race, cruised around New England and Cape Cod, and enjoyed her home waters of the Chesapeake Bay, from Turkey Point down to Hampton.

This year, Bennu is sailing on behalf of the Severn River Association. Severn River Association has a mission to connect the people who live, work, and play on the Severn River to restore and protect it for all our communities. Their vision is to have a thriving Severn River by 2050, and they work towards their goal through programs upland, on the shoreline, and in the water. From stormwater mitigation to oyster reefs, advocacy to water quality monitoring, Severn River Association is working toward a cleaner, brighter future for the Severn and its many diverse groups.

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.