Some of the best moments in New York City happen on the water. Dream Boat NY was built on that belief — and on 30 years of experience making those moments real.
We offer private yacht charters for 2 to 6 guests, departing Chelsea Piers on the Hudson River. There are no strangers on our boats. No tour-group crowds, no tinny loudspeakers, no fighting for a view over someone else’s shoulder. Just your group, our crew, and the most spectacular skyline in the world.
Every charter is private. Every experience is yours.
Our Story
Captain Martin spent decades navigating New York Harbor before he decided the city’s most iconic views deserved a better presentation on the water. The large public tour boats packed to capacity — floating tin cans, really — weren’t the experience New Yorkers or our friends and family deserved.
So he built something different: intimate private yacht charters designed around small groups, personal attention, and the kind of luxury that doesn’t draw attention to itself. Just effortless, elegant, private time on the water — with a captain who knows every bridge, every current, and every angle worth seeing.
Dream Boat NY has since completed thousands of private charters for guests from 23 countries. The five-star reviews all say a version of the same thing: it was the highlight of the trip.
Captain Martin
Captain Martin holds a professional USCG 100 Ton Master Captain’s License and has sailed New York Harbor for more than 30 years. He knows these waterways the way most people know their own neighborhoods — the tides, the timing, the landmarks best seen from the water, and the hidden details that turn a boat ride into a genuine education.
Guests consistently describe Captain Martin as the unexpected highlight of their charter. He’s professional and knowledgeable without being stiff, and he has a genuine gift for making every group feel like the only guests he’s ever had — because, for those few hours, they are.
His decades of experience inform every route, every photo opportunity, and every piece of narration offered aboard. When guests ask about the Statue of Liberty’s copper patina or the engineering history of the Brooklyn Bridge, they get real answers — not scripted talking points.
Our Fleet
Dream Boat NY operates two private yachts, each classically designed and immaculately maintained for groups of 2 to 6 guests. Both vessels offer the same premium private charter experience: professional captain and crew, full catering and champagne service, and the intimate setting that distinguishes a private yacht charter from anything else on New York’s waterways.
KARLA — Private Motor Yacht
KARLA is a classically designed Chris-Craft motor yacht — pure style and pleasure, inspired by vintage yachts with all the modern conveniences that make entertaining on the water effortless.
She is New York City’s only true convertible on the water, with a retractable deck canopy that gives your group the choice of full sun or full shade at any moment during the charter. The all-teak outdoor deck features U-shaped seating designed for conversation and togetherness — comfortable, intimate, and perfectly suited for groups of 2 to 6.
Below deck, a wood-paneled interior cabin offers half-circle seating with deep-cushioned white marine upholstery and table seating for six. This fully enclosed lounge is an elegant retreat — ideal for brunch, lunch, champagne service, or simply getting out of the wind. The cabin includes a vintage-style kitchenette for seamless crew food and beverage service, and a clean, modern bathroom with personal hand towels.
On KARLA, 360-degree views are unobstructed in every direction. Move freely between the outdoor deck and interior cabin, choosing your preferred vantage point as the skyline shifts around you.
KARLA Amenities:
- USCG certified captain
- Outdoor teak deck with U-shaped seating
- Retractable canopy over the deck (NYC’s only convertible on the water)
- Wood-paneled interior cabin with deep-cushioned white marine upholstery and table seating for six
- 360-degree unobstructed views from both deck and cabin
- Bluetooth sound system
- Kitchenette for seamless food and beverage service
- Clean, modern bathroom with personal hand towels
- Full champagne and catering menu available
- Decoration packages for special occasions
- Manhattan Chelsea Piers docking, boarding, and fuel included
SAGA — Private Sailing Yacht
SAGA is Dream Boat NY’s sister ship — a luxury sailing yacht offering a unique sailing experience on New York Harbor. Similar in length and size to KARLA, SAGA delivers the same premium private charter experience with the added romance and texture of sail power.
Like KARLA, SAGA accommodates 2 to 6 guests with professional captain and crew, outdoor and indoor deck lounges with table seating for six, and the full champagne, catering, and decoration menu available for every charter.
- USCG certified captain and crew
- Outdoor and indoor deck lounges with table seating for six
- Sun pad at the bow
- Canopy for full shade
- Bluetooth sound system
- Full champagne and catering menu available
- Decoration packages for special occasions
- Clean, modern bathroom with personal hand towels
- Manhattan Chelsea Piers docking, boarding, and fuel included
What Sets Us Apart
The difference between a private yacht charter and a public tour boat isn’t just the size of the vessel. It’s everything that follows from it.
On a large public tour boat, you share the experience with 100 or more strangers. The best views go to whoever got there first. The narration comes through a loudspeaker. The engine is loud. The experience is anonymous.
On a private yacht charter with Dream Boat NY, none of that applies.
Your group is the only group. The captain narrates directly to you, answers your questions, and adjusts the route to what you actually want to see. Every seat on the boat is the best seat. The pace is yours. If you want to linger near the Statue of Liberty, the boat lingers. If you want to push north toward the George Washington Bridge, the captain takes you north.
We accommodate 2 to 6 guests — never more — because that maximum isn’t a regulation to work around. It’s the point. Six guests is the number at which everyone still feels like a VIP. Six guests is intimate. Six guests means the champagne is for your table, the music is yours to choose, and the crew is entirely focused on your experience.
This is what private means.
Our Guests
Thousands of guests per year hop onboard to celebrate birthdays, proposals, anniversaries, corporate milestones, bachelorette parties, weddings, and sometimes nothing at all — just a beautiful afternoon on the water because New York deserved it.
They range from couples on a first anniversary to families with children to executive teams entertaining international clients. What they share is an appreciation for experiences over things, for privacy over spectacle, and for the kind of afternoon that becomes a permanent story.
From guest reviews:
“The highlight of our entire New York trip.”
“Fabulous from start to finish — the crew was wonderful, the views were incredible, and we’ll remember this for a lifetime.”
“Hands down one of the best parts of our visit. Don’t hesitate to do it.”
“Captain Martin has decades of knowledge and is so kind and friendly. Absolutely phenomenal.”
Where We Depart
All Dream Boat NY charters depart from Chelsea Piers Marina in Manhattan — one of New York City’s premier waterfront destinations, centrally located on the Hudson River with convenient access from Midtown, Downtown, and beyond.
Chelsea Piers is easily accessible by taxi, car service, and public transit. On-site paid parking is available within the Chelsea Piers complex for guests arriving by car.
Chelsea Piers Marina Pier 59, 59 Chelsea Piers New York, NY 10011
Our Season
Dream Boat NY operates April through November. Peak season runs May through September, when New York Harbor is at its most beautiful and demand is highest. Shoulder season charters in April, October, and November offer exceptional views, comfortable conditions, and greater availability.
Fall foliage season — typically late September through October — is among our most spectacular times on the water, with the Manhattan skyline framed by the changing colors of the Hudson Valley.
For weekend and holiday departures during peak season, booking 2 to 3 weeks in advance is recommended. Last-minute charters are sometimes available — our concierge team can help.
Plan Your Charter
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, hosting international guests, entertaining clients, or simply wanting to see New York City from the water the way it deserves to be seen — our concierge team is here to help.
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Call us: 917-399-9084