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Charity Boat Auction

Name: Charity Boat Auction
Start: 2026-09-05T08:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-09-05T13:00:00-04:00
Location: CBMM

September 5 @ 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Charity Boat Auction

Saturday, Sept. 5 | 8am-1pm

CBMM MEMBERS CLICK HERE FOR AUCTION ADMISSION TICKETS

NON-MEMBERS CLICK HERE FOR AUCTION ADMISSION TICKETS

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE LATEST AUCTION INVENTORY

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE AUCTION INVENTORY LIST

CLICK HERE TO VIEW AUCTION RULES

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR ABSENTEE BIDDING

CBMM will host its annual Charity Boat Auction on Saturday, Sept. 5, inviting guests to its waterfront campus to bid on donated vessels of all shapes and sizes in support of its mission.

Dozens of boats and watercraft, ranging in size and performance, will be auctioned off to the highest bidders, beginning at 11am. There will be reserves on several top-quality vessels, while the rest will be offered with no minimum.

Early registration for in-person bidding has now closed, but you can still register as a bidder in person at the auction. Auction admission tickets are available by clicking here and at the door. Bidders pay a $5 paddle fee. CBMM members receive free admission into the auction, while non-members pay $5 until 11am and then general admission rates apply.

Auction rules and absentee bidding protocols and registration are now available.

A Labor Day weekend staple for more than two decades, the Charity Boat Auction is the flagship event of CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation Program, which accepts and sells gently used boats year-round. Every sale directly supports CBMM’s mission to explore and preserve the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region and make this resource available to all.

The auction vessels are listed online on our Buy a Boat page and an inventory list is available here. Whether you’re looking for a sleek powerboat, a classic sailboat, or a vessel with some history, this year’s auction lineup offers plenty to explore. Highlights include the sporty 2006 Chris Craft Corsair 25 and 2003 Chris Craft Corsair 28, a 2012 Cobalt 296 bowrider with twin MerCruiser 350 engines, a well-maintained 2011 Jones Brothers Cape Fisherman 23, and adventure-ready sailboats like a 1981 Downeast 38.

The doors open at 8am, providing an opportunity to browse the inventory before the auction begins. Beginning at 8:30am, guests can also shop a flea market-style tag sale that features a variety of used boating gear. Adding to the festive scene, there will be a local food truck on hand and coffee and beer available for purchase.

There are several different options to check out the inventory leading up to the auction, starting with an an exclusive auction preview for CBMM members on Thursday, Sept. 3, from 5–7pm. The auction boats will also be available for public view on campus Friday, Sept. 4, from 10am–6pm. Regular admission rates will apply until 3pm that day, and gates will open for free from 3–6pm.

If you have additional questions about the auction or available inventory, please contact the CBMM Charity Boat Donation team at boatdonation@cbmm.org.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs are prohibited during CBMM festivals and special events, including the Charity Boat Auction.