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 removed 25 abandoned and derelict vessels from the waters of Hampton Roads in less than 2 years as an organization. Their hard work and commitment to the health of our waterways has an immediate and lasting effect. In 2022 Schooner Windsong raised $2191.15 for VDRF, and they are aiming for a goal of $5000 in 2023!

Welcome to the 2023 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 23 through 3:00 PM on Saturday, August 26. 

Thank you for supporting our schooner community!

Please note: The Chesapeake Bay schooner community could not exist without people like you, and we're eager to keep in touch. GCBSR will share your contact information and notification preferences with the charity you donated to.  If you do not wish to be contacted by GCBSR, please opt out of communcations on the donation form.