» About the Bay Race

October 14-19, 2025

Information for Participating Vessels

See public events below

For the Love of the Bay

The Bay Race is a friendly competition among majestic schooners and traditional vessels. AA- and A-Class vessels race approximately 120 nautical miles from Baltimore to Thimble Shoals. The official race for B-, C-, and N-Class vessels ends at Windmill Shoals (83 mile mark), but boats are welcome to race to Thimble Shoals for bragging rights and award-night mention. Read about the history of the Bay Race.

“It’s impossible to describe the feeling of camaraderie and fellowship that emanates from the wonderful schooner sailors, truly a group belonging to another age. It’s a celebration of why we sail, a reminder that sailing is an art form, valuable simply for the sake of its enjoyment.”
Andy Schell, Spin Sheet

Track the Race

See 2025 Race Track

See the track of the 2025 Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race. GCBSR used satellite-connected transponders to provide vessel positions throughout the 130-mile course from Baltimore, MD to Norfolk, VA.

Racing Classes

See the fleet

Below are the four schooner classes and the invitational non-schooner class that make up the fleet. Race classes are roughly divided by rated vessel length. Awards go to the vessels placing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each class. See Rating and Handicapping/

The N-Class is an invitational, non-schooner class open to “traditional” vessels (such as sloops, ketches, yawls, work boats, etc. of roughly 1950’s and earlier design) and to vessels operated by organizations with a mission that aligns with the GCBSR. Please read For Participating Vessels and follow “Register Your Vessel” to request an invitation.

Public Events

Sail Aboard a Schooner!

Some of our vessels provide sailing opportunities as crew or as paying passengers. Learn more.

Events In Baltimore October 14-15, 2025

Tuesday, October 14, 2025

Open Docks · 12:00 noon-7:00 pm See the vessels dockside at Anchorage Marina, 2501 Boston St., Baltimore.

Wednesday, October 15, 2025

TBA Expeditionary Learning Experience · Students from neighborhood schools will board a few, selected, vessels for a special learning opportunity. Students will be able to connect to past and present aboard a working vessel.

Open Docks · 10:00 am-2:00 pm Schooners may be viewed dockside at Anchorage Marina.

Parade of Sail · 5:00 pm: An opportunity for all of the beautiful schooners in the race to show off in Baltimore. The public is invited to view the schooners from the Canton, Fells Point, Harbor East and Inner Harbor shorelines. Spectator vessels are reminded to please allow ample room for the vessels to maneuver safely.

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Start of Race · 12:00 noon: The starting line is just south of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge at Annapolis. This year, one end of the starting line will be marked by the historic Chesapeake Bay buy boat, Nellie Crockett. Spectator vessels are reminded to please allow ample room for the vessels to maneuver safely. See the 2025 Fleet.

Events in Norfolk, October 18, 2025

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Open Docks · 8:00 am-1:00 pm: Schooners may be viewed dockside at Freemason Harbor at the Pagoda in Norfolk. Some may be open for tours.