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The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will host its annual Charity Boat Auction on Sept. 2, inviting guests to its waterfront campus to bid on donated vessels of all shapes and sizes in support of its mission. Gates open at 8am, and the auction begins at 11am. (Photo by George Sass)

CBMM will host its annual Charity Boat Auction on Sept. 2, inviting guests to its waterfront campus to bid on donated vessels of all shapes and sizes in support of its mission. (Photo by George Sass)

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Aug. 1, 2023 – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will host its annual Charity Boat Auction on Saturday, Sept. 2, inviting guests to its waterfront campus to bid on donated vessels of all shapes and sizes in support of its mission.

Starting at 11am, dozens of boats and watercraft, ranging in size and performance from cabin cruisers to sailing dinghies and everything in between, will be auctioned off to the highest bidders with no minimums or reserves. The gates open at 8am for this rain-or-shine event.

“We look forward to this weekend every year,” said CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation Program Director Wes Williams. “We have a wide variety of boats ready to be sold via absolute auction, and we’re excited to be able to set up our buyers with great deals on these vessels.”

The Charity Boat Auction is the flagship event of CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation Program, which accepts and sells gently used boats year-round.

This program makes offering tax-deductible donations simple and straightforward and streamlines the sales process with competitive pricing on quality vessels. Every sale directly supports CBMM’s mission of preserving the history, environment, and culture of the Chesapeake Bay region and making this resource available to all.

In addition to the Charity Boat Auction, the festivities include a flea market-style tag sale, beginning at 8am, that features a variety of used boating gear, including ground tackle, electrical equipment, hardware, rope, chain, oars, life jackets, motors, and more. Food and beverages, including BBQ and beer, will be available for purchase starting at 10:30am.

Starting at 11am, dozens of boats and watercraft, ranging in size and performance from cabin cruisers to sailing dinghies and everything in between, will be auctioned off to the highest bidders with no minimums or reserves. (Photo by George Sass)

Starting at 11am, dozens of boats and watercraft, ranging in size and performance from cabin cruisers to sailing dinghies and everything in between, will be auctioned off to the highest bidders with no minimums or reserves. (Photo by George Sass)

Prospective buyers have several different ways to check out the inventory, starting with a preview exclusively for CBMM members on the evening Thursday, Aug. 31.

The auction boats will be listed online and available for public view at CBMM on Friday, Sept. 1, from 10am–6pm. Regular admission rates will apply until 3pm that day, and gates will open for free from 3–6pm. On auction day, guests can check out the vessels during the three hours before the bidding begins at 11am.

CBMM members and children ages 5 and under receive free admission into the Charity Boat Auction. Otherwise, general admission is $5 per person until 11am, with a $5 paddle fee for registered bidders. After 11am, regular two-day admission rates apply.

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

For the official rules, auction details, absentee bidding protocols, and inventory updates, visit cbmm.org/CharityBoatAuction, or contact the CBMM Charity Boat Donation team at boatdonation@cbmm.org or 410-745-4992.

CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation Program is hosting a Mid-Summer Boat Sale on campus on Saturday, July 22, from 10am-4pm.

CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation Program is hosting a Mid-Summer Boat Sale on campus on Saturday, July 22, from 10am-4pm.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., July 14, 2023 – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s Charity Boat Donation Program is hosting a Mid-Summer Boat Sale on campus on Saturday, July 22, from 10am-4pm. This is a terrific opportunity for prospective boat buyers to get discounted pricing on a new-to-you vessel for summer adventures on the water while supporting an excellent cause.

This sale will feature a special selection of ready-to-use runabouts, skiffs, and cruising sailboats. CBMM’s experienced staff will be on hand to help shoppers find a great boat at a great price.

“We’re excited to add this sale to our summer schedule ahead of our annual Charity Boat Auction on Labor Day weekend,” CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation Program Director Wes Williams said. “These are all boats that are ready to take away and start enjoying on the water, and we hope that prospective boat buyers will stop by our sale to check them out.”

Payment by cash, check, or credit card will be accepted during this sale. CBMM general admission is not required for those only shopping the sale that day.

Through its Charity Boat Donation Program, CBMM accepts and sells gently used boats year-round. The program makes offering tax-deductible donations simple and straightforward and streamlines the sales process with competitive pricing on quality vessels. Every sale directly supports CBMM’s mission of preserving the history, environment, and culture of the Chesapeake Bay region and making this resource available to all.

The program’s signature event is its Charity Boat Auction, which will be held this year on Saturday, Sept. 2. It’s an absolute auction with no minimums on a varied inventory of boats and watercraft, ranging in size and performance from cabin cruisers to sailing dinghies and everything in between. The donation deadline for vessels to be included in this edition is Aug. 4.

For more information on CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation Program, visit cbmm.org/BDP or contact the team at 410-745-4992 or boatdonation@cbmm.org.

CBMM Charity Boat Donations & Sales Program Director Wes Williams will share the ins and outs of what to expect when purchasing a boat during “Boat Buying 101” on April 19.

CBMM Charity Boat Donation Program Director Wes Williams will share the ins and outs of what to expect when purchasing a boat during “Boat Buying 101” on April 19. (Photo by George Sass)

ST. MICHAELS, Md., March 24, 2023 – Just in time for a new season on the water, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is aiming to help prospective boaters navigate the buying process.

CBMM Charity Boat Donation Program Director Wes Williams will lead “Boat Buying 101” on April 19 from 5:30-7:30pm in Van Lennep Auditorium, sharing the ins and outs of what to expect when purchasing a new-to-you vessel. The cost is $25, with a 20% discount for CBMM members, and registration is now open.

Williams is well-equipped to teach this crash course with a lengthy history of buying and selling boats. He has been a boat owner since he was 12 years old, and he spent a decade as owner/operator of a marina in Texas before arriving at CBMM in February 2021.

With this presentation, Williams aims to offer insight that can be useful to both first-time buyers and those seeking to upgrade or add to their fleet. Participants are encouraged to bring their questions about the process.

Through its Charity Boat Donation Program, CBMM accepts and sells boats year-round. Donations are tax-deductible and hassle-free, and sales directly support CBMM’s mission to explore and preserve the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and make this resource accessible to all.

Browse the current inventory at cbmm.org/boatdonationprogram or reach out via email (boatdonation@cbmm.org) or phone (410-745-4992) to get more information about the program.

CBMM also now accepts vehicle donations. Find more information about the Vehicle Donation Program at cbmm.org/vehicledonationprogram.