The Mark Sailboat Is an Ode to Old New York and Its Seafaring Past

By Nick Papa on 07.16.25

New Yorkers have always been drawn to the water. Herman Melville captured its magnetic pull in “Loomings,” the opening chapter of Moby-Dick, in which he describes “thousands upon thousands of mortal men fixed in ocean reveries” along the Manhattan waterfront.

In a city with 520 miles of coastline, it’s impossible not to find your gaze wandering out towards the sea. You might even spot The Mark Hotel’s 70-foot Herreshoff sailboat — one of the last remaining in existence. But for most of the previous century, after industry took over the waterfront, New Yorkers set their sights on distant shores like Newport and the Amalfi Coast. Thankfully, the trend has reversed. Decades of revitalization works led to a remarkable transformation in the early 2000s, when residents from Lower Manhattan to DUMBO rediscovered the treasures of our waters.

Today, Upper New York Bay bursts with activity. The Staten Island Ferry, a shock of orange moving slowly through the harbor, glides beneath the Statue of Liberty, two enduring symbols of the city. Classic sailboats circle, while too many jet skis to count skip across the sun-speckled waves. All the while, the Manhattan skyline shrinks in the background, until you can pinch it between your fingers.

There are numerous ways to get out on the water. You could opt for public transit (the NYC Ferry is the breeziest way to explore all five boroughs) or visit North Cove Sailing to refine your skills. The Mark Sailboat stands out as the only option with an exceptional menu crafted by the celebrated chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. The experience comes with a premium price tag ($640 per ticket), but it guarantees you a spot aboard the stylish vessel, constructed in 1921 by Nathanael Greene Herreshoff, one of America’s most esteemed yacht designers.

On such a sailboat, it’s essential to have your sea legs — and arms and hands. As soon as the crew maneuvers out of North Cove Marina at Brookfield Place and hoists the sail, the champagne begins to flow. Bubbles still rising, it’s a fun challenge when the servers reappear moments later with Caviar Kaspia over warm blinis. As quickly as you can enjoy one bite with your remaining free hand, the next emerges. Some are easier to eat, like perfectly tangy oysters on the half-shell (you’re gliding over what was once among the largest oyster beds in the world, after all) and crispy salmon sushi bites, while others, like lobster rolls with cherry tomatoes, tarragon, and sriracha mayonnaise, require dexterous balancing.

The atmosphere on board mirrors the picture of Melville’s bygone waterfront revelers. Lifelong locals and curious visitors board The Mark Sailboat for an old New York experience that matches the new definition of luxury: an unrepeatable experience. Fine dining in Manhattan often has a polished, even staid veneer. It doesn’t usually include a strong breeze (and occasional seaspray). Even for someone who frequently spends time on the water, the unconventional yet sleek setting and good, casual conversation with strangers feel unexpected. On a hot summer day, watching the sun sink into the horizon, it’s a winning — and quite poetic — combination.

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