This Labor Day weekend, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is hosting the 21st annual Charity Boat Auction on Saturday, September 1. More than 100 donated boats and watercraft—ranging in size and performance from luxury boats to dinghies—will be in the water and on land to be auctioned off to the highest bidders.
”Because this is an absolute auction, all boats will be sold the day of the event, with no minimums or reserves,” said CBMM Boat Donations Program Director Todd Taylor. “Plus, CBMM staff and volunteers will be on hand at an onsite title office for ease of transfer and title work.”
The event also includes a flea market-style tag sale from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., when guests can purchase a variety of used boating gear, including ground tackle, electrical equipment, hardware, rope, chain, oars, life jackets, fishing tackle, motors, and more.
Proceeds from the rain or shine event benefit the children and adults served by CBMM’s education, restoration, and exhibition programming.
In addition to being listed online, auction boats will be available for preview at CBMM on Thursday, August 30 and Friday, August 31 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, with a $5 non-member admission. Guests can also preview the boats on auction grounds beginning at 8:00 a.m. the day of the event, with the live auction beginning at 11:00 a.m. Pit beef and other food and beverages will be available for purchase beginning at 10:00 a.m., with beer being served starting at 10:30 a.m.
“We work with donors all year-round, many caring for a boat they are no longer using, or having an inherited a boat that won’t be used,” continued Taylor. “Plus, these gifts are deductible to the full extent allowed by law.”
Donated boats are accepted and sold year-round. For more information, contact Karen Walpole at 410-745-4942 or at [email protected].
On September 1, CBMM’s Fogg’s Landing gates open at 8:00 a.m., with free event entrance for CBMM members and children ages 5 and under. Otherwise, general admission is $5 per person until 11:00 a.m., with a $5 paddle fee for registered bidders. After 11:00 a.m., regular two-day admission rates apply. For safety reasons, non-service dogs are prohibited during CBMM festivals, including the Charity Boat Auction.
For the official rules, auction details, and inventory updates, go to cbmm.org/boatauction, or call 410-745-4942.
