CBMM Charity Boat Auction August 31
The first time I went to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s (CBMM) Charity Boat Auction, I was blown away by how few people bid during the auction and how sailors were practically stealing some beautiful sailboats… legally!
Whether you’re on the hunt for a new-to-you boat at a good price, or just looking for an excuse to drink beer in the morning on a holiday weekend, the CBMM Charity Boat Auction on Saturday, August 31, is a delightful way to spend the morning looking at boats at the water’s edge.
All year long CBMM’s boat donation program staff take donations and resell boats, but they hold aside some of the inventory for the annual auction. This year, more than 70 donated boats and watercraft, ranging in size and performance from luxury boats to dinghies, will be sold to the highest bidders. The highly entertaining auctioneers are the real deal, and along with the impressive selection of boats at very reasonable prices, they draw return attendees year after year, even if they’re not currently in the market to buy. If you love boats and the museum, this is a must-attend event. It’s also CBMM’s top fundraiser.
“This is an absolute auction, meaning all boats will be sold the day of the event, with no minimums or reserves, and CBMM staff and volunteers will be on hand at an onsite title office for ease of transfer and title work,” says CBMM’s charity boat donation program director Taylor Williams. “Many of the donors we work with have been caring for a boat they are no longer using. Others have inherited a boat that won’t be used. These gifts are deductible to the full extent allowed by law.”
The event also includes a flea market-style tag sale from 9 to 11 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.
CBMM’s Fogg’s Landing gates open at 8 a.m., with a free event entrance for CBMM members and children ages 5 and under. Otherwise, general admission is $5 per person until 11 a.m., with a $5 paddle fee for registered bidders. Barbeque will be available for purchase beginning at 10 a.m., and beer will begin flowing at 10:30 a.m.
The auction begins at 11 a.m. After 11 a.m., regular two-day admission rates apply. For safety reasons, non-service dogs are best left on boats or at home. In addition to being listed online, auction boats will be available for preview at CBMM on Friday, August 30, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a $5 non-member admission. Guests can also preview the boats on auction grounds beginning at 8 a.m. the day of the event.
Learn more at cbmm.org.
