Schooner Windsong is a 47-foot Tancook Schooner designed by Ray Stevens of Nova Scotia. She was built by Guy H. Asbury between 1954 and 1960 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Much of her life was spent in New York; both around Long Island, and on Lake Ontario. Throughout her life she has been named Pleiades, Dream, John A. Noble, Chasseur, and Sara B. Schooner Windsong is now based out of Cape Charles, Virginia, offering sailing charters for up to 6 people on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

Windsong is racing on behalf of the Vessel Disposal and Reuse Foundation. This Virginia nonprofit's mission is to help waterways achieve sustainable health through removal of abandoned and derelict vessels, public outreach, and education. VDRF has disposed of 47 abandoned and derelict vessels from the waters of Hampton Roads in less than 3 years as an organization. Their hard work and commitment to the health of our waterways has an immediate and lasting effect. Schooner Windsong raised $2,191 for VDRF in 2022, $3,025 in 2023, and they are aiming for a goal of $5,000 in 2024!

Welcome to the 2024 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 21 through 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 24. 

Thank you for supporting our schooner community!

Please note:  GCBSR will only share your contact information with the charity you donated to.