Boat Owner Loves Gardiner’s Bay

There are many joys to being in East Hampton. For me on top of the list is sailing in beautiful, pristine Gardiner’s Bay. I write weekly for another website, but I wanted to share my appreciation of the bay specifically with East Hampton readers. Mostly because they will understand my attachment to this jewel of a bay.

My first introduction to Gardiner’s Bay was hatched by the launching of my first sailboat, a 23’ O’day purchased from Joe Shaw, yes the journalist in 2003. I had zero sailing knowledge or experience. It was a spur of the moment life changing event. One that closed some doors and opened many others.

My first introduction to actually sailing the boat was under the onboard tutoring of Don Vanderveer who put the mast up and with his crane lowered the boat into the water. After he tested the motor and sail riggings, with him on the tiller we headed out through 3-Mike Harbor to Gardiner’s Bay. Now I have done this journey perhaps over 1500 times since but rarely as inspiring as that first time. Fish were jumping, ospreys circling, terns and seagulls soared in large groups hunting and of course there was my introduction to the world of Cormorants!

The water was emerald clear, the shore caressed by the wonderful sands and the boats moored in the harbor made me feel like I was in a Virgin Island harbor. Then the sails went up and the magic of turning off the motor hearing the wind fill the sails was at hand propelling the boat. That magical feeling has never gotten old, even after twenty-something years.

Many times on hot days I drop anchor and swim the pristine beaches. Other times I take day trips to Shelter Island, Greenport, Sag Harbor and occasionally Montauk harbor. Over the years I have composed many historical articles about Gardiner’s Bay and my boat and I were even included in a film on Gardiner’s Island at the 2023 HIFF.

The soul soothing joy sailing Gardiner’s Bay all these years is priceless. The guests, the sights, the sunsets, the wildlife and yes even the storms have made the last twenty-something years life altering.

Therefore this is a reminder that if you have a boat that needs some tuning up or repairs it is time to get on it. There are only so many days to a sailing season, therefore it’s prudent to get an early start.