Over the course of 15 years, the Colonial Seaport Foundation has engaged in a fascinating project: building the sloop Luna from a bare hull. Luna is a working reproduction of an 18th-century sloop. She was built to be used as a floating classroom, focusing on colonial-era trade and commerce and the ecology of the Chesapeake Bay. She is also being outfitted as a sail cargo vessel, focusing on mid-Atlantic trading routes.

Luna's work supports the mission of the Colonial Seaport Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Deltaville, VA that works to preserve colonial America's maritime heritage. The Colonial Seaport Foundation has had a long connection with GCBSR, as many of their volunteers have crewed on racing boats over the years. Now that Luna has launched, she will be joining the fleet next year in the N class. In the meantime the Foundation's goal is to raise awareness of the Chesapeake's maritime heritage and ongoing conservation efforts through school outreach programs, historic events and reintroducing sail cargo routes.

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.