One of the ways that the nonprofit Mathews Maritime Foundation is able to support itself is through its Boat Donor Program.

Boat donors can claim a tax deduction based on the boat’s sale amount collected by the foundation. Some of the donated boats are reconditioned in the foundation’s Gwynn’s Island boat shop under the guidance of director Pete Hall and a dedicated corps of volunteer boatwrights.

The program offers a wide variety of donated boats for sale; current inventory ranges from small one-person paddle craft all the way up to a 35-foot replica of a Chesapeake Bay brogan. In between is a wide range of watercraft available for sale: motor, sail and paddle-driven.

For a complete listing of boats currently for sale, visit www.mathewsmaritime.com/boatdonor.html and contact Hall (804-693-9335) or Dave Machen (804-815-4367) to schedule an inspection.

Boat owners who want to part with their vessels but don’t want to deal with the hassle of listing and selling a boat are encouraged to contact either of the above numbers to find out if their boat is a suitable candidate for the donor program. All boats must be in operable condition and not in need of major repairs. Donors will receive upon the sale of their boat a letter that lists the dollar value of the sale, which could be applied as a charitable deduction on the donor’s tax return.

Heritage Day Festival

Plans are currently underway for the Mathews Maritime Foundation’s Heritage Day Festival. The festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the museum building at 482 Main Street in Mathews, as well as the boat shop on Gwynn’s Island. Activities will include live music, food and beverages and children’s activities.

The mission of the Mathews Maritime Foundation is to preserve, present, and participate in the rich maritime and cultural heritage of Mathews County. The foundation is dedicated to preserving this rich heritage through research, documentation, conservation and education.