Today's Sails
Tuesday, Sep 7th, 2010

Shearwater
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM NY Harbor Original Sail
2:45 PM - 4:15 PM NY Harbor Original Sail
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM NY Harbor Wine Tasting Sa

Clipper City
10:00 AM - 11:30 AM NY Harbor Daytime Sail
2:15 PM - 3:45 PM NY Harbor Daytime Sail
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM NY Harbor Daytime Sail
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM NY Harbor Twilight Sail

Ticket Prices

Shearwater $45 Adult* $38 Seniors* $25 Child* (Ages 12 & under)	Clipper City $39 Adult* $35 Seniors* $17 Child* (Ages 12 & under)
*Prices starting at

Call us today to
book your perfect sail!

About Our Crew

Thomas Berton

Crew Thomas Berton Tom Berton’s New York sailing odyssey began more than two decades ago, when he discovered the joys of plying the harbor’s waters under sail aboard the legendary Petrel and its equally legendary captain, Nick van Nes, who pioneered public and charter sailing in the city. When van Nes packed up and retired to Martha’s Vineyard in 2000, Tom didn’t hesitate long (by his standards anyway). Leaving behind a successful career in real estate, Berton bought the Shearwater in early 2001 and reached out for the Petrel’s baton. The tests to his will and resilience as a new small-business owner came fast and furious: the boat, its crew and the operation barely survived the horrors of 9/11 despite having set up shop at the foot of the towers. Berton—a member of that rare breed, the born and reared Manhattanite—has, like his city, persevered and prospered since, creating New York’s most unique, personable and fun harbor-tour business. The proud father of a new baby girl, Berton lives with his wife Eva in lower Manhattan.

Chris Van Nes

Crew Captain Chris Van Nes Captain Chris is Manhattan By Sail’s resident iron man in both size, stature and general get-it-done competence. A ship captain, marine mechanic and unparalleled story-teller, Van Nes is the reason our fleet of old boats run like clockwork every day. As capable in the engine room as behind the wheel, Van Nes comes from a family of tough-as-nails mariners who trained their young progeny early. Over the years, he’s sailed the finest wood and steel crafts around, including Pilot, Nina, Petrel, Yankee and Shearwater. This season, Captain Chris—a three-time N.Y. Harbor’s Funniest Storyteller champion—can be found behind the helm of Clipper City, or quite possibly, down in its engine room.

David Zimmerman

Crew Captain David Zimmerman Captain Z is also not as serious as he looks, though all things being equal, he’s probably a little more serious than Captain Matt. Manhattan BY Sail’s resident perfectionist, Zimmerman grew up sailing on the Hudson and has worked on traditionally-rigged boats since he was 15. One of Shearwater’s primary captains since 2007, Zimmerman previously spent six years working on the South Pole. An accomplished musician, he knows how to sing and play more songs on guitar than anyone we’ve ever met.

Matthew John Beck

Crew Captain Mattthew John Beck Ask anyone who knows him, and they’ll tell you: Matt’s not as serious as he looks. One of Shearwater’s longest-serving captains, he can strike as stern a pose at the helm as any mariner alive, but just one tour with Captain Matt quickly reveals the fun-loving guy behind the ship commander’s facade. A Rochester native, Beck has been a sailboat captain since 2001 and taught sailing in the area for about as long.

Claire Chirouze Ulloa

Crew Claire Chirouze Ulloa There’s really no other way to put it: Claire is just about the only reason anything gets done around here. Originally from the tiny town of Espalion in the South of France (not as well known as Paris, true, but famed for it’s ancient bridge and even more ancient castle), Claire is Manhattan By Sail’s office manager. As such, she handles the myriad of daily tasks that need tending to, like answering phones, booking charters and paying bills. Not impressed? Try running a business that employs as many sailors and bartenders as we do and you’ll be singing her praises in no time.

David Critchell

Crew First Mate David Critchell David Critchell is Clipper City's first mate. A New York native, David grew up sailing in Long Island Sound and NY Harbor. A Manhattan by Sail fixture for the last three years, David got his captain's license this winter. In a former life he was a freelance magazine journalist, a career he only sometimes misses.