Through visits to ports across the United States and around the world, Pride of Baltimore II serves as Maryland's sailing ambassador, carrying a message of friendship, goodwill, and respect from Baltimore and the State of Maryland. She also shares the story of Maryland's rich maritime heritage, including the events of the War of 1812 that inspired the writing of our National Anthem in Baltimore.

Thanks to a generous grant from the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race, we are launching a new initiative to provide young adults with the opportunity to sail aboard Pride of Baltimore II during the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. Beginning with apprentices from the Alexandria Seaport Foundation, our goal is to grow this program in the years ahead by partnering with additional organizations and creating access for even more deserving young adults. Your support will help underwrite participant berths, covering the professional instruction, safety oversight, provisions, and operational support required for this multi-day sailing experience. By removing financial barriers, you make these opportunities possible for those who might never otherwise step aboard. Participants gain far more than sailing experience. They develop confidence, leadership, and teamwork while serving as part of a professional crew aboard Maryland's sailing ambassador. Along the way, they build practical seamanship skills, discover potential maritime career paths, and forge a lasting connection to the Chesapeake Bay and its maritime heritage. This program is about investing in people. It is about opening doors, broadening horizons, and inspiring the next generation of mariners, maritime professionals, and Chesapeake Bay stewards. The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race has helped us launch this vision. With your support, we can sustain it, expand it, and ensure that these transformative experiences are available to young adults for years to come.

Welcome to the 2026 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 12 through 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 15. 

Thank you for supporting our schooner community!

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