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Experience the thrill of log canoe racing aboard PATRIOT. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

PATRIOT Log Canoe Spectator Cruises were recently featured in Southern Living magazine. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

May 22, 2026 | #MyChesapeakeStory

Did you read the terrific cover story in the latest Southern Living magazine highlighting St. Michaels as a must-visit destination? The piece features Chesapeake Bay log canoe racing on the Miles River through a Log Canoe Spectator Cruise aboard PATRIOT and includes an interview with CBMM volunteer and former racer Terry Grieb.

Log canoe racing is a quintessential Chesapeake pastime and time-honored tradition. Races featuring Chesapeake Bay sailing log canoes are a staple of the region, with competitions held along the Chester, Miles, Choptank, and Tred Avon rivers. Known for their iconic design featuring towering masts and oversized sails, the log canoes can reach speeds of 10 knots or more through coordinated teamwork. To keep the vessels balanced and upright, crew members climb onto 15-foot springboards that extend from the sides of the boats.

If you’re intrigued about getting out on the water to experience the thrill of log canoe racing up close, you are in luck! Right now, we have a few options for the season ahead, beginning with the Miles River Yacht Club Centennial Cup on the weekend of June 27-28.

Join CBMM to experience the quintessential Chesapeake pastime of log canoe racing.

Join CBMM this summer to experience the quintessential Chesapeake pastime of log canoe racing.

This summer, CBMM is offering cruises aboard Old Point and Dory Boat for all Miles River racing weekends, including the MRYC Governor’s Cup (July 25-26), MRYC Labor Day Series (Sept. 12-13), and Higgins, Commodore, & Bartlett Cups (Sept. 19-20). These two-hour charters for up to six passengers put you right in the racing action with an experienced crew offering live narration. The cost is $48 for CBMM members and $60 for non-members for these cruises that are great for log canoe racing newcomers and longtime fans alike!

Watch Log Canoe Racing on the Miles River!

Log Canoe Spectator Cruises are back aboard PATRIOT on Saturday, July 25, and Saturday, Sept. 19. Watch racing from the comfort of the cruise boat’s canopied top deck or climate-controlled main deck with narration from our volunteers, including Terry, during these 9:30-11:30am cruises. CBMM members save $6 on every cruise ticket!

We hope that you can join us this summer!

Chief Historian Pete Lesher explains the history and majesty of Chesapeake Bay log canoe racing.

The cruise boat PATRIOT begins its season on the weekend of April 20-21. Book online now at patriotcruises.com and save.

The cruise boat PATRIOT begins its season on the weekend of April 20-21. Book online now at patriotcruises.com and save. (Photo by Tom McCall)

ST. MICHAELS, Md., March 11, 2024 – Make plans now to join the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum for exploration, relaxation, and family fun on the Miles River in the coming months through Patriot Cruises, log canoe racing charters, and more.

Providing on-the-water experiences is central to CBMM’s mission, and the addition of the cruise boat PATRIOT to the fleet last summer has expanded the offerings available for guests this year.

A St. Michaels tradition dating back to 1969, PATRIOT is a 65-foot, two-level vessel modeled to resemble a Chesapeake Bay steamboat with a capacity to provide tours for up to 149 passengers.

Patriot Cruises begins its season on the weekend of April 20-21 in conjunction with the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival at CBMM and continues through the end of October.

Narrated Historical Cruises share the beauty and history of the region through stories highlighting the historic homes and wildlife along the route, while weekend Island Music Cocktail Cruises are more laidback with groovy tunes providing the soundtrack for the trip.

Guests can make reservations now and save at patriotcruises.com on cruises throughout the season. Combo tickets, good for a Narrated Historical Cruise and CBMM general admission, are also now available through the Patriot Cruises website and will be sold at the ticket booth during the season.

CBMM members save $4 on cruises booked with an online promo code or at the ticket booth. For opening weekend cruises, everyone can get an online-only deal and use promo code SEAGLASS2024 to save $10 off adult and senior tickets.

In addition, a limited number of season passes are available now for $80, offering access to all regularly scheduled Narrated Historical Cruises and Island Music Cocktail Cruises this year. These passes, which can be purchased at bit.ly/PATRIOTSeasonPass24, are valid for one guest and not transferrable.

On select weekends this summer, CBMM is offering private charters aboard its historic floating fleet vessels to watch log canoe races on the Miles River.

On select weekends this summer, CBMM is offering private charters aboard its historic floating fleet vessels to watch log canoe races on the Miles River. (Photo by Sharon Thorpe)

On select weekends this summer, CBMM is also offering private river cruises aboard its historic floating fleet vessels to watch log canoe races on the Miles River.

These two-hour charters, scheduled for June 29 and 30, July 27 and 28, and Sept. 7, 8, 14, and 15, offer a chance for up to six passengers to get an up-close view at a unique Eastern Shore tradition. The cost is $375 per charter, with a 20% discount for CBMM members.

Registration for these cruises is open now at bit.ly/LogCanoeCruises2024, with a three-week sign-up period exclusively for CBMM members before open registration begins April 1. There are a limited number of charters available, and all cruises are dependent on marine conditions.

To become a CBMM member and access early registration as well as the charter discount, PATRIOT discount, and all the other exclusive programming and benefits of membership, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator, Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or druzicka@cbmm.org.

Races featuring Chesapeake Bay sailing log canoes are staples of the region with competitions held along the Chester, Miles, Choptank, and Tred Avon rivers. Featuring an iconic design featuring long masts and large sails, the log canoes keep upright as they reach speeds of 10 knots or more, thanks to crew members climbing to the ends of 15-foot boards that hang off the side.

Photographers, sailing aficionados, and wooden boat enthusiasts will all find something to enjoy on these action-packed charters led by an experienced captain and crew aboard a traditional Bay vessel in CBMM’s floating fleet.

New for this year, Patriot Cruises will be offering morning log canoe spectator cruises on days there is racing in the Miles River, as well.

Stay tuned to cbmm.org/cruises for the latest information on these offerings and more expected to be added in the coming weeks.

CBMM is set to offer private river cruises aboard its historic floating fleet vessels to watch log canoe races on the Miles River.

CBMM is set to offer private river cruises aboard its historic floating fleet vessels to watch log canoe races on the Miles River.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., March 10, 2023 – In the coming months, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is offering private river cruises aboard its historic floating fleet vessels to watch log canoe races on the Miles River.

These two-hour charters, scheduled for June 24 and 25, July 29 and 30, and Sept. 9, 10, 16 and 17, are being offered in place of the log canoe spectator cruises aboard Winnie Estelle, CBMM’s venerable passenger-carrying buyboat that is undergoing a refit in the Shipyard this year.

The cost is $375 per charter for up to six passengers, with a 20% discount for CBMM members. Registration for these cruises is set to open March 17 at bit.ly/LogCanoeCruises2023, with a two-week sign-up period exclusively for CBMM members before open registration begins March 31. The number of charters is limited, and all cruises are dependent on marine conditions.

To become a CBMM member and access early registration as well as the charter discount and all the other exclusive programming and benefits of membership, visit cbmm.org/membership or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or druzicka@cbmm.org.

CBMM is set to offer private river cruises aboard its historic floating fleet vessels to watch log canoe races on the Miles River.

Registration for these private cruises is set to open March 17, with a two-week sign-up period exclusively for CBMM members before open registration begins March 31.

These cruises offer an up-close view of a unique Eastern Shore tradition. Races featuring Chesapeake Bay sailing log canoes are staples of the region with competitions held along the Chester, Miles, Choptank, and Tred Avon rivers.

With an iconic design featuring long masts and large sails, the log canoes keep upright as they accelerate to speeds of 10 knots or more, thanks to crew members climbing to the ends of 15-foot boards that hang off the side.

Amateur photographers, sailing aficionados, and wooden boat enthusiasts will all find something to enjoy on these action-packed charters led by an experienced captain and crew aboard a traditional Bay vessel in CBMM’s floating fleet.

With Winnie Estelle undergoing maintenance, CBMM will also be offering drop-in cruises aboard boats in its floating fleet, including Dory Boat, Volunteer, and Old Point, on Fridays, Saturday, Sundays, and select Mondays, beginning May 19.

These 45-minute Harbor Highlights Cruises offer guests the opportunity to explore St. Michaels Harbor, including CBMM’s working waterfront, while learning the history of the port. The cost for CBMM members is $8 for adults, $6 for youth 6-17, and $3 for children 5-and-under. For non-members, the cost is $10 for adults, $8 for youth 6-17, and $5 for children 5-and-under, in addition to the general admission fee.

Passenger cruises aboard Winnie Estelle are expected to resume in 2024.