The words sustainable, low-impact, eco, and community involvement have become buzz-phrases in the tourism industry. They conjure up images of sophisticated, adventure-minded travelers jetting off to far flung corners of the world to kayak or surf or trek, dining on regional delicacies purchased from local farmers and fishermen, and then sleeping in hammocks in open-air palapas.

At Sailing Montauk, we believe that sustainable, community-oriented, values-defined tourism is just as important to the place where we make our lives and raise our children as it is on an atoll in the Indian Ocean or an Andean mountain top. We believe ethical business begins at home, and our home is Montauk, New York.

Our flagship is the James Wharram designed Tiki 38 S/V MON TIKI

MON TIKI is locally built from the keel up, by East End craftsmen, using low-impact construction methods.

Because safety is our first concern, S/V MON TIKI is constructed in accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs) under US Coast Guard supervision, and to their exacting Inspected Passenger Vessel standards. Every phase of her construction, from initial design, to hull construction, to rigging and deck layout have undergone rigorous US Coast Guard review and certification. Only USCG Inspected Passenger Vessels are permitted by law to carry more than six passengers, and S/V MON TIKI is the only sailing vessel operating in the Hamptons that meets this exacting standard for design and safety.

MON TIKI is also a low-emissions vessel. Primary propulsion is provided by her powerful schooner sail plan, giving her a comfortable cruising speed of 6-10 knots, and a top speed of up to 16 kts. Auxiliary propulsion is provided by ultra-clean, ultra-quite Honda engines, but under normal operation these engines are used for harbor maneuvers only. Once at sea, MON TIKI is a sailing vessel. During your time aboard, the sounds you’ll hear are the sounds of wind and water.

During the Summer months we provide a beautiful day on the water on a spacious, locally-built sailboat, in safety and comfort, with a friendly, professional crew. We take pleasure in sharing the beauty of where we live and how we live with our guests.

But we also recognize that our community is not simply a collection of businesses serving the Summer tourist trade. We recognize that life offers rewards and responsibilities that go beyond what can be tallied on a spread sheet. During the off-season, Mon Tiki will be available as a “floating classroom”, hosting day-trips for school groups and other youth groups so that children can learn hands on about physics, marine science, low-impact and sustainable technology, and teamwork. These outings will be offered at cost, and are our way of building ongoing community service into our business-model. (Contact us if you’d like to arrange a trip for your school or group!)

Finally, a note about our name: MON TIKI is lovingly appropriated from Thor Heyerdahl’s famous 1947 voyage from South America to Polynesia and the hand-hewn balsa wood raft Kon Tiki that carried him and his crew on their 5,000 mile, 101 day adventure in safety and comfort. Heyerdahl, his crew, and the Kon Tiki serve as our inspiration to dream big, question assumptions intelligently, and have the courage to follow your own path. Our fondest hope is that our passengers — whether summer guests or students — will be similarly inspired by their time aboard MON TIKI!