Bonny Rover is a 64-foot topsail schooner modeled after 1800-era Chesapeake Bay privateers. Designed by Merritt Walter, she was built of ferrocement in 1971 in Norfolk, and served as his home for several years. Fully dressed, Bonny sports seven sails and took first place in the first two editions of the Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race.  

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.  Since moving to Norfolk in 2003, the Elizabeth River has been a home, partner, livelihood, playground and pure comfort to me. I whole-heartedly support the mission, and substantial progress, of The Elizabeth River Project, and look forward to playing a part in its continuing work. 

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.