And The Legacy Behind Kelpie
Long before Kelpie called Sag Harbor home, there was Mariette; a vision of perfection from the Golden Age of Yachting, built for beauty, endurance, and grace. Today, her story comes full circle. Mariette, the inspiration behind Kelpie, now seeks her next steward.
The Legacy
The Story That Started It All
Some stories begin with a dream. The story of Mariette & Kelpie began in France over a glass of brandy, shared between two friends aboard Mariette; one a devoted yachtsman, the other his captain of three decades. Together, they set out to find a vessel worthy of their shared vision: a schooner of flawless lines and quiet strength- light, fast, and fiercely elegant- a masterpiece balance between grace and endurance.
Their dream was not just to build beauty, but to chase it- to create a yacht that could hold her own among the great regatta fleets of the Mediterranean.
A Schooner Reborn
Across the world in San Francisco, they found her- Kelpie. Dilapidated but perfectly proportioned, she was taking on water when they discovered her. Yet her sheer lines were perfect, and her spirit was unmistakable. Crew were sent across oceans to sail her to Falmouth, England, and though the journey was arduous, it marked the beginning of something extraordinary.
In Falmouth, she was entrusted to the very craftsmen who had long cared for Mariette- the shipwrights and artisans who knew every plank of her mothership’s hull.
Under their steady hands and the same patient dedication, Kelpie was restored plank by plank, bronze by bronze. She became Mariette’s racing tender- the spirited daughter of the matriarch, made to carry her mother’s grace into a new generation.
About Mariette
- Designer: Nathanael G. Herreshoff (1915)
- Length overall: approx. 124ft (38m)
- Rig: Gaff-rigged schooner
- Material: Steel hull with teak deck and interior joinery
- Captaincy: One captain for over 30 years
- Maintenance: Meticulously preserved and restored with authentic materials
- Racing Pedigree: Regular competitor at the world’s most prestigious classic regattas- Monaco, Cannes Royale, Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
- Location: Mediterranean Sea
- Spirit: A true embodiment of the golden age of yachting
Mariette is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful classic yachts afloat- admired not only for her performance under sail, but for the soul of her design. Every element aboard her reflects the precision and passion off the craftsmen who built her, and the loyalty of the hands who have cared for her since.
The Connection
Kelpie‘s very existence is a continuation of Mariette’s legacy. The same patience, artistry, and reverence for the sea that have preserved Mariette for nearly a century were poured into Kelpie‘s restoration. Together, they embody a single tradition- one of craftsmanship, endurance, and grace passed down from one generation of schooner to the next.
Each has sailed through storms, across oceans, and into the hearts of those who believe that craftsmanship and beauty are not luxuries, but responsibilities.
Private Acquisition
Mariette now seeks her next steward- someone who understands that a yacht like this is never truly owned, only cared for. Serious inquiries are welcome and will be handled with discretion.
To request additional information or arrange a private introduction, please contact: captain@yachtkelpie.com
All inquiries are confidential. Full specifications and photographs available upon request.
🖋 A Note from the Captain
When I purchased Kelpie, she was still in the Mediterranean- radiant, but far from home. Because of shipping schedules, I remained there for nearly two months before she could be brought back to the States. During that time, Mariette’s owner and captain extended generosity I will never forget: they gave me Mariette’s own crew.
These were folks who had spent their lives maintaining these schooners to perfection- craftsmen and sailors who knew every sound of Kelpie‘s hull, every glint of her varnish. They became my teachers. They showed me how to sail Kelpie, how to care for her, how to listen to her in weather and in calm.
Their kindness, patience, and precision spoke volumes about the people behind Mariette. It was the most gentlemanly handoff imaginable- not just the transfer of a yacht, but of knowledge, history, and grace.
Whoever becomes Mariette’s next steward will be working with that same lineage- people who understand what it means to care for something timeless.
🖋 Capt. Shannon Carleton, Kelpie of Falmouth