Beneteau America and Annapolis Yacht Sales are proud to announce the unveiling and donation of two adapted sailboats to Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating (CRAB), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing adaptive sailing programs to persons with disabilities, wounded warriors, and kids from at-risk neighborhoods.
The adapted sailboats, named Beneteau First 22As, are adapted from the Beneteau First 22 and will help replace CRAB’s aging fleet. The idea to donate the boats came from Tim Wilbricht, president of Annapolis Yacht Sales after CRAB asked him to update rigging on its fleet.
“When I saw the condition of some of CRAB’s sailboats and considered that the cost to repair each one was nearly $10,000, I thought it would be a great idea to partner with Beneteau America and simply donate new boats,” said Tim Wilbricht, president and owner of Annapolis Yacht Sales.
Annapolis Yacht Sales and Beneteau America have each donated one sailboat, with CRAB purchasing four more through donations. The retail price for a First 22A is about $48,000.
Beneteau America General Manager, Carla De Maria, said the idea echoes the boat manufacturer’s company values.
“Beneteau America believes that everyone deserves to enjoy life on the water,” said Chris Doscher, Sailboat Sales Manager. “That’s why we decided to adapt the First 22 so it could be skippered by nearly anyone. We’re excited to see CRAB’s guests take the tiller for the first time.”
CRAB Executive Director Paul Bollinger was equally enthusiastic about the new fleet.
“Our guests are absolutely elated about this generous gift and we can’t wait to see who gets to the tiller first,” Bollinger said. “We average about a thousand guests per year and provide training to those who may never have had the opportunity to sail. It’s so gratifying to see people leave their wheelchairs and experience the thrill and freedom of sailing independently.”
Beneteau America, Annapolis Yacht Sales, and CRAB unveiled the new boats during the U.S. Sailbat Show in Annapolis, MD.
