Somewhere, beyond the sea, Classic Harbor Line waits for thee.
Welcome back to Downtown Highlights, the series in which we take the opportunity to “highlight” businesses in NYC, like Classic Harbor Line – your one-stop (shop? or should we say port?) for seeing the city you love from the water.
After a tumultuous year and a half or so, it is important for us at Downtown to make sure that we’re serving the places that are serving us.
Classic Harbor Line owns a fleet of nine stunning vessels, designed by Scarano Boat Building of Albany, New York. These floating pieces of history call the east coast home. Hop on a Classic Harbor Line yacht in Boston, Massachusetts; Manhattan, New York; Newport, Rhode Island, and Key West, Florida.
Tours specialize in ticketed cruises and private charters, fit for guests and locals alike. Experience a sail as you’ve never experienced before on the luxuriously comfortable yachts that feature teak decks, mahogany trim, and carbon fiber rigging.
We at Downtown magazine had the pleasure of joining Captain Greg Freitas of Full Moon and Captain Sarah Pennington of America 2.0 on the two yachts for our Downtown Highlights series.
The first yacht we had the pleasure of visiting was Full Moon at Brookfield Place’s North Cove Marina in Manhattan. She’s a 65 foot fully restored 1950 classic yacht complete with full bar services, a full-service galley, and catering. We sat down with Captain Greg in her saloon to chat about Classic Harbor Line and his career as a yachtsman. “OLD SALT” fittingly read his cap as he gave anecdotal details of his experienced life on the water.
Over at The Chelsea Piers Marina, we paid a visit to America 2.0. She’s a 105 Feet LOA and a tribute to the first Schooner America — the winner of the very first America’s Cup in 1851. She’s a class act, complete with comfortable seating and bar service, and an open salon below featuring a full-service galley and two heads. Captain Sarah’s invitingly sat with us and gave us America 2.0’s history and her own.
Set sail yourself with Classic Harbor Line or take a walk along the esplanade to watch their stunning ships.
Captain Greg Freitas of the Full Moon. Photo courtesy of Captain Greg
Downtown Magazine caught up with Captain Greg Freitas of the Full Moon, harbored in Brookfield Place. There, we found out a little more about the sailing life and what makes Greg tick.
Downtown: Where did you grow up and where do you reside now?
Captain Greg: I grew up on the south coast of Massachusetts, went to engineering school in Worcester, visited 38 countries while working as an Oceanographic Engineer, lived 28 years in the U.S. Virgin Islands, have a mountain home in western North Carolina, and currently live aboard Full Moon in North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place.
DT: When did you realize that you wanted to be a Captain?
CG: I realized I wanted to be a captain when I found crewing to be hard work. That was many years ago. I have had my US Coast Guard Master’s license for over 31 years. As Mel Brooks might say, “It is good to be the Captain”.
“It’s good to be the captain.” -Captain Greg. Photo courtesy of Captain Greg
DT: What was your first vessel you ever owned?
CG: I built the first boat I ever owned. It was an 8’ wooden pram. The mast was made from a closet pole and my mother made the sails. After that, I decided to buy boats instead of building them. The best boat I ever owned was a 1975 Hinckley Bermuda 40 Mark III Yawl, painted “Super Jet Black” which American Airlines contracted for their national “Fly us to the Caribbean” advertising.
DT: Are you a captain of sail or motor vessels?
CG: I actually do both. When I first joined Classic Harbor Line (then Chelsea Excursions) in 2000, I captained Adirondack, our 80’ gaff-rigged schooner. I did that seasonally through 2002. The summer of 2003, I worked in Newport, RI, running Adirondack II. Now I drive Full Moon, our 65’ motor yacht.
DT: Is there a difference between the two for our audience?
CG: Generally speaking, the difference between sailing and motoring is simple, sailing is about the journey and motoring is about the destination. However, at Classic Harbor Line, we make the journey on our motor yachts and the destination on our sailing yachts a high priority. Saying it in a slightly different way, it is hard to go wrong on any of our vessels.
DT: What is your favorite place to navigate in our US waterways?
CG: Technically speaking, the US Virgin Islands is in our US waterways so I would have to say there. But, I find sailing and motoring in New York harbor both challenging and rewarding. Sure it is a little bumpy out there but heck, that’s New York.
DT: Welcome back to Classic Harbor, we hear that you have had a long career here then left and now you are back, why did you leave and what brought you back?
CG: It was early July 2000, I was living on my boat, Spitfire, in the Virgin Islands, and made it known to anyone that would listen, that I did not want to be there during the upcoming hurricane season. One of the few people who was listening was related to the owners of Chelsea Excursions (now, Classic Harbor Line) and made the introduction. The next thing I knew I was boarding a plane to NYC. I arrived at 8:00 PM on a Wednesday and had my first charter running Adirondack the morning after. I enjoyed it so much that I came back in the summer and fall of 2001 and 2002. In 2003, I worked in Newport, RI, and ran operations there. At the end of that season, I bought a charter boat company out of Caneel Bay Resort on St John and spent my time operating that business. Coincidently, it was another hurricane, Irma, that brought me back to CHL last year.
DT: You are full of great stories, can you share a New York one with our readers?
CG: Which one do I tell? How about the one of us sailing Miss Universe around the harbor? Or the first time I brought the Adirondack (CHL’s 80’ schooner) into North Cove? Or record-setting racing in the Mayor’s Cup? September 11 evacuation by boat?
DT: Tell us about the Full moon, why you like this boat and what you hope to see from this vessel?
CG: The motor vessel Full Moon was built in Chicago in 1950, lived on the west coast for a number of years, was moved to Maryland in the late 1990s and then to Boston in the early 2000s. Classic Harbor Line bought her in 2017 and she spent almost a year undergoing an extensive refit in Albany. Her engines are new but her lines are original. What I love about Full Moon is that she is classic, very comfortable and responsive. The main salon looks like a set from “Mad Men”. It is like a floating living room. I could see Full Moon being club-like that Battery Park residents would bring their out-of-town guests to go visit the Statue.
DT: Is there anything that you would like to share with our readers that I may not have asked you about?
CG: A cruise on Full Moon is like a trip to the country where you leave the hustle of the city behind. Plus, we serve great drinks!
Captain Greg on Sept. 10th, 2001. Photo courtesty of Captain Greg
As our warm-weather days are winding down, let us not forget that there is still time to plan a summer adventure with your friends and family. The Classic Harbor Line of New York offers guests a variety of experiences–none of which involve the stress of dealing with airlines and hotels. The cruises are great for any family, couple, or friend group looking for luxury the way it’s supposed to be–hassle free! Take a peek at some of the exciting packages and spend the day or night on the waters of New York City.
1. The Architecture Cruise. This option provides guests with the opportunity to experience New York through the eyes of AIANY (American Institute of Architects New York) members, who guide the tour and introduce Lower Manhattan’s greatest skyscrapers, as well as the key features alongside the East River. Learn about New York City and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and champagne with your party as you cruise on a Gatsby-style yacht. For two hours and forty-five minutes, you will pass under eighteen of Manhattan’s bridges and circumnavigate the island. This cruise is ideal for any party, any size, and is regarded by many as one of the best experiences that Classic Harbor Line has to offer. Also note that due to popular demand for this type of cruise, Classic Harbor Line is also offering various time slots made available to all!
2. Schooner Sailing. The Schooner America 2.0 is the pioneer in relaxing daytime cruises. Built in 2011, it caters to the customer looking to truly kick back on the seas and embrace the breeze of New York’s Harbor. On the Schooner, you can experience true boating and get to know the harbor in an entirely new way. This option accommodates any size group from 6 to 60, and includes a narrated presentation of the island of Manhattan.
3. Sunset Jazz. Enjoy some evening jazz and a complimentary drink on this cruise when you depart from the Chelsea piers on a Sunday afternoon. This cruise is the perfect option for a romantic date, featuring the talents of the cruise’s very own trio “The Sound Waves” playing works of Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Duke Ellington. Admire the views with your party all the way from Battery Park to Brooklyn in this one and a half hour cruise.
4. Chef Morimoto Sunset Sushi & Sake. The famous Morimoto from the Food Network’s Iron Chef can be found on Classic Harbor Line’s Sunset Sushi & Sake cruise. This option is adaptable to guests, as you can choose the ways in which you would like your food served. Request an open saki bar if you wish, or fine cuisine served buffet-style. These cruises can be scheduled privately, however there is a selection of pre-scheduled Morimoto cruises if you would like to purchase tickets at a predetermined date.
5. Brunch. This option includes a delectable ensemble of meal choices for each guest to enjoy. What could be better than brunch on a leisurely weekend? Brunch with a breathtaking view of Downtown Manhattan, of course. The menu offers a variety of brunch favorites, from Belgium Waffles to Salmon Platters. And be sure to save room for some Italian cookies and fresh fruits for dessert! This type of cruise is the perfect way to spend a day catching up with loved ones and rekindling your inner foodie.
6. Wine Tasting. There are multiple Wine-Tasting options at Classic Harbor Line, NY. Each wine featured on the cruise is carefully selected and served to each guest, alongside the finest artisan and farmside cheeses. And if you have no time left during the summer to schedule one of these wine-tasting cruises, they are also offered during the holidays, an ideal way to celebrate the season in style.
7.Full Moon. The Full Moon Cruise Option provides an opportunity to sail beneath the stars. You’ll sail by Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, among other city icons. There’s nothing like New York past sunset; guests will watch the city come alive. Complimentary wine, beer, and champagne will be provided to those who choose to attend the Full Moon Cruise, created with elegance and sophistication in mind.
8. Full Day Bear Mountain. This nine-hour long event begins with an open breakfast buffet and travels north throughout the Palisades and the lower Hudson River Valley. After the boat docks at Bear Mountain, guests enjoy three hours of outdoor activities. This cruise is perfect for families and friends who enjoy hiking and exploring. If you wish, you can also visit the museum or zoo alongside the beautiful Hessian Lake!
If you’ve got a free day to spare and you’re looking for something to do with friends and family, then browse through the selection of cruises offered by Classic Harbor Line! There is bound to be one that fits your taste, time constraints, and craving for luxury. Don’t let the last month of summer fly by; these cruises are the perfect opportunity to get away from the hustle of the city…but not too far away!
