She’s called Kelpie, 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.
Kelpie was named Classic Refit of the Year by Classic Boat Magazine in 2014, after a full refit. Kelpie entered the Mediterranean regatta circuit and immediately took First Place at the Pendennis Cup in Cornwall, England. She went on to compete among the finest super-yachts in the world before catching the eye of Captain Shannon Carleton, a pioneer of the Hamptons charter fleet.
Kelpie has been re-flagged to proudly fly the star-spangled ensign once again. After the last few years of racing the finest classic yachts in the Mediterranean, this American schooner has come home to take her place as the crown jewel of The Hamptons fleet.
Kelpie‘s interior is airy and spacious. Several butterfly hatches on deck bathe the interior in a beautiful light, illuminating the richly varnished furnishings. She has also been lavishly installed with American black walnut panelling and deep-buttoned leather couches in her signature green, which beautifully contrast with other fixtures set in a crisp white. The over-all effect gives the space a clean, bright, comfortable feel, tastefully decorated in an old world style.
For more on Kelpie‘s 2014 refit: