The epitome of tranquility, Kelpie boasts an old world-inspired sailing experience fit for royalty. The onboard crew, headed by Captain Shannon Carleton, envelop guests in nautical luxury—complete with pol- ished serving trays, white glove service and candlelight evenings—all while transporting passengers through the historic waters of days gone by.
Kelpie’s signature red carpet treatment has undoubtedly established it as the most sought after yacht in the Hamptons. The boat’s private sailing experiences—with full day, half day and sunset options begin at Sag Harbor, New York. Accommodating up to 24 passengers, a day on Kel- pie can be customized to fulfill any whim including photo- shoots, weddings or corporate events.
Menu selections and questions like, “What time should lunch be scheduled?” or “What’s the trendiest rosé this summer?” can be submitted through online booking, and the team will seamlessly handle the rest. While on board, the crew lifts luggage, refreshes drinks and ensures every item is served on a polished, silver tray held by a white- gloved hand—a Kelpie trademark.
“The Kelpie experience is otherworldly,” Carleton says. “Being out on the water is special on its own, but we’re seeking to really transport our guests. There’s sailing, and then there’s sailing like Jackie-O on the presidential yacht or Grace Kelly off the coast of Monaco. I love the glamor of it all, and I want our guests to feel like royalty when they’re aboard Kelpie.”
“It needs to be an escape for all souls onboard, not just the host/hostess’s invited guests,” Carleton says. “Crew all have a handheld radio, and if you were to listen in you’d hear one relaying a message to another that a glass of wine needs to be filled on the starboard foredeck, or that we should trim the sails to increase speed and get the guests to the swim spot faster because someone commented on the August heat. It’s uncanny how in tune we are with the passengers to ensure they want for nothing.”
A typical day on Kelpie begins with a guest pickup from the yacht club, a glass of bubbles and a ride out to the mooring field on the team’s private launch, Siren. No detail is too small for Carleton, who notes that little details—like the portside layout of the boarding area are paramount.
On most boats, guests board from the starboard side while the crew will board on the port. “Not too many folks know that, but I’ve always appreciated it,” Carleton says. “They’re greeted by the stewardess and I upon arrival, and I never tire of seeing the look on their faces when they see Kelpie for the first time. There’s sheer beauty everywhere you look, Kelpie with all her polished bronze, glossy varnish and white linen.”
While the deck plays off the boat’s sleek exterior, with an abundance of white—oversized linen pillows, crochet hammocks and vintage tablecloths—the decor below pays homage to the yacht’s 1928 origins. Warm, high-gloss black walnut and English rac- ing green leather settees fill the space, as well as Carleton’s own leather-bound books and crystal decanters of Scottish scotches. The captain’s touches are woven throughout the space, making the atmosphere not only eclectic, but also deeply personal.
Carleton discovered Kelpie in 2018 during her search for a white schooner. The boat was located in the Mediterranean, and while the distance felt daunting, Carleton felt a magnetic pull.
After her arrival in Barcelona, Carleton recalls that she was so impatient for the meeting with the broker the following day that she walked every marina until she found Kelpie.
“She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen,” Carleton says. “I felt a connection to her immediately, and knew it was meant to be—together we were going to conquer the world. I remember saying aloud to her; ‘We’re going to do this, you and I. I’ll take care of you if you take care of me.’”
Kelpie’s name, like Carleton’s, derives from Scottish roots and means a shape-changing aquatic spirit—a title the captain felt perfectly represented the yacht’s versatility.
“This ultra-fast, gentlemen’s racing schooner with all her trophies was about to become a ladies’ yacht, hosting decadent luncheons and evening soirees for an elite Hamptons clientele,” Carleton says. “Her exterior has a very feminine look— sleek, sexy lines, maintaining a dainty appearance even with her giant rig.” As for any criticism of Kelpie’s reimagined use? The captain’s stance is unwavering.
“She’s one of the fastest schooners in the world; it’s been said among other sailors that I’m using a thoroughbred to give pony rides,” Carleton says. “But I didn’t bring Kelpie here to win any races—I brought her here to give folks an exceptional experience. If I could close my eyes and imagine the perfect day, the most heavenly environment, it would be the Kelpie experience.”
