For nearly 100 years, the A.J. Meerwald has connected people to the Delaware Bay. She began her life as a working oyster schooner, later served our country during World War II, and today continues sailing as New Jersey's Official Tall Ship and a hands-on classroom for thousands of students, families, and visitors each year. Through the state’s official tall ship, the oyster schooner AJ Meerwald and an historic waterfront museum, the Bayshore Center at Bivalve will advance the understanding of the human impact on New Jersey’s aquatic environment through education, advocacy, and programming.

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.