The Moonbeams
Meet The Moonbeams, a fleet of modified Gil Smith catboats, inspired by one of Long Island’s most distinctive traditional sailing designs.
Gilbert “Gil” Smith was a renowned boatbuilder and designer from Patchogue who built hundreds of boats for the shallow waters of Long Island’s South Shore. His catboats were known for their shallow draft, generous sail area, speed, and distinctive lines—qualities that made them particularly well suited to the Great South Bay.
The original Moonbeam was designed by Smith in 1909 and became one of his celebrated racing boats. Today, the Moonbeam name lives on in modern boats that preserve the spirit of Smith’s designs while incorporating modifications that make them well suited for racing and sailing today.
Our fleet includes Pawnee, Melody, Selene, and Blue Moon. Pawnee and Melody were built after 2015, while Selene was formerly owned by Alfred E. “Al” Terry Jr., a renowned boat historian and preservationist who dedicated much of his life to documenting and preserving the maritime heritage of Long Island’s South Shore. Terry was particularly well known for his knowledge of Gil Smith boats and played an important role in keeping these historic designs and their stories alive.
Today, the Moonbeams carry that legacy forward. In the summertime, the Stirling Harbor Foundation races the fleet on Long Island’s South Shore, bringing a piece of Great South Bay sailing history to life for a new generation.
