Don’t have a house in the Hamptons? Spend your Memorial Day weekend on the water! Little Dutch Sailing Charters is the hot new nautical business launching this summer, offering day trips, sunset sails, weekend or weeklong charters for families and groups to enjoy aboard the Whitby 42 sailboat named “Little Dutch”. If you caught a case of The Perfect Storm paranoia – fret not – founder and Captain Missy Mellor is a certified US Coast Guard captain, and trans-Atlantic sailor who has logged over 5,000 offshore miles over ten years.

Little Dutch Sailing Charters, Inc. is a “green” business, supporting eco-tourism. Captain Mellor [above] aptly named this concept “aqua camping – with all the comforts of home. The experience offers relaxation, excitement and an increased awareness of the balanced environment in the waters, shorelines and native wildlife of the eastern end of Long Island and throughout Long Island Sound.”

The “Little Dutch” Whitby 42 boasts a spacious environment while also providing quiet, private spaces. The sailing vessel is a 42’ double headsail ketch with a forward and after cabin complete with heads, showers and sinks. It is like a floating cottage with all the amenities of the best bed & breakfast, along with 360° scenic waterfront views. There’s a full galley as well as a roomy center cabin with two single bunks. Topside there is an extra large comfortable cockpit, perfect for a sunset cocktail.

The size of the boat offers the opportunity to sail to small, out-of-the-way harbors and anchorages, and affords spacious deck areas for guests to sun, nap, stargaze or read under the cockpit awning or to jump in for a refreshing swim. Meals and snacks are served either below in a comfortable dining area in the main cabin or topside al fresco on a foldout table in the cockpit under an awning during daylight and by lantern light in evenings. Guests may also be ferried to shore in a dinghy to visit secluded beaches or nearby towns and villages for shopping, walking and sightseeing. Trips also include leisure sailing and/or basic sailing instruction.

Charters will traverse the waters of Long Island Sound, anchoring in such charming locations as: Coecles Harbor in Shelter Island, Fishers Island in Long Island Sound and Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton on the South Fork, as well as longer trips to Block Island, RI and Cuttyhunk and Martha’s Vineyard, MA. Guests may board the vessel at Three Mile Harbor in East Hampton, or at other pick-up locations in Sag Harbor, Greenport, Shelter Island and Montauk.

PRICING AND PACKAGES:

*Day sails are from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and are $125 per person with a 2-person minimum and 6-person maximum (soft drinks provided).

*Sunset Sails are from 5 to 8:30 p.m. and are $150 per person with a 2-person minimum and 6-person maximum (soft drinks and nautical noshes provided).

*Full Day Sails are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are $200 per person with a 2-person minimum and 6-person maximum (soft drinks and picnic lunch provided).

*Weekend Charters are offered Friday through Sunday for $1250 per person. They depart on Friday at 2 p.m. and a light supper is served, Saturday includes a continental breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner, and on Sunday a continental breakfast is served and the boat returns to the dock at noon. Weekend charters are not recommended for more than four people and are BYOB (alcoholic beverages are welcome).

*Weeklong Charters are also available and all charters may be customized. Special event charters are also available for weddings, commitment ceremonies, memorial services, birthdays, anniversary celebrations, bar mitzvahs, etc.

Little Dutch Sailing Charters will officially begin service on Memorial Day weekend. For more info go to their website: http://littledutchsailing.com

Little Dutch Sailing Charters, Inc. is located at 423 Three Mile Harbor Rd., East Hampton, NY 11937. Phone: [917] 513-5724