Bonny Rover is a 64-foot topsail schooner whose raked masts, long bowsprit and fore squaresail evoke the sleek privateers of the Baltimore Clipper pedigree that guarded the Chesapeake during the War of 1812. She was designed by Merritt Walter as part of his Rover family and built in 1971 in Norfolk. Walter called Bonny home for a time and local salts still recall the splendor of her grand salon, with its aft windows reminiscent of a French warship, a Franklin stove that warmed hands and a Spinet piano that warmed hearts. Built in ferrocement, Bonny is no stranger to the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, and stills carries the First Place plaques from the first two editions.

In this year’s virtual race, Bonny Rover is partnering with the Elizabeth River Project, a Norfolk-based nonprofit that works to restore this storied tributary to the highest practical level of environmental quality through government, business and community partnerships. Their tireless restoration work, coupled with comprehensive and exciting education programs, has helped to transform and renew the Elizabeth River and its watershed.

Currently undergoing renovations at Cobb's Marina in Norfolk, Bonny, sadly, will be unable to make the line in October for this year’s GCBSR Bay Race, but looks forward to the competition in this Virtual Race!

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.