Sag Harbor’s Classic 78-foot Sailing Schooner

Kelpie, a 78 foot gaff-rigged sailing schooner that sits a quarter mile off the coast of Sag Harbor, New York. Capt. Shannon Carleton is KELPIE'S owner and skipper, having operated and lived on boats most of her life. Shannon lives aboard this yacht and couldn't imagine life any other way.

“Kelpie” is the Scots name given to a shape-shifting water spirit inhabiting the lochs and pools of Scotland. Many myths tell the story of beautiful and beguiling maidens or mermaids that are able to change form into water horses. Kelpies were most often friendly and benevolent, but fairytales about them also served a practical purpose in keeping children away from stretches of water, and warning young women to be wary of handsome strangers.

Designed by Francis Sweisguth and built at the Harvey Gamage Shipyard in 1928 in Maine, Kelpie is a 78.8ft traditional gaff-rigged schooner once employed by the U.S. Coast Guard to hunt German U-Boats during WWII.