MONTAUK REAL ESTATE SHOWCASE, JULY 4, 2022

M O N T A U K J U LY 4 T H 2 0 2 2

INCREDIBLE MODERN ON LAKE MONTAUK PRESENTED BY CHRIS COLEMAN COMPASS SEE PAGE 120

TH E P REMIER LUX URY R E A L E S TAT E A ND L I F E S TY L E M A G A Z I N E

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193EastLake.com

193 East Lake Drive, Montauk • $8,250,000

COV E R PR O PE R T Y

21TaraMTK.com

4 BED | 4F/2H BATH | 4,325 SF | Lakefront

21 Tara Road, Montauk • $6,400,000 5 BED | 4 BATH | 4,200 SF | 1.10 AC | Stunning Ocean Views

Chris Coleman, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson. Real estate agents affiliated with Compass are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Compass. Equal Housing Opportunity. Compass is a licensed real estate broker located at 90 Fifth is subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice. To reach the Compass main office call 212 913 9058

Chris Foglia, Licensed Real Estate Salesperson. Real estate agents affiliated with Compass are independent contractor sales associates and are not employees of Compass. Equal Housing Opportunity. Compass is a licensed real estate broker located at 90 Fifth Avenue, 3rd Fl. NY, NY 10011. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Compass makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented subject to errors,

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37StartopMTK.com

17FairviewMTK.com

Rendering

37 Startop Drive, Montauk • $8,250,000

7 BED | 7F/1H BATH | 6,265 SF | 1.08 AC | Ocean Views

4 BED | 5F/1H BATH | 3,496 SF | New Dev | Ocean Views 17TaraMTK.com

45SouthEuclid.com

17 Fairview Road, Montauk • $8,290,000

Rendering

17 Tara Road, Montauk • $5,750,000

2 BED | 2F/2H BATH | Commercial Space Brand new mixed use with three finished levels

5 BED | 4F/1H BATH | 4,754 SF | 1.10 AC Close to ocean

140Navy.com

49GullMTK.com

45 South Euclid Avenue, Montauk • $3,295,000

140 Navy Road, Montauk • $5,250,000

49 Gull Road, Montauk • $1,850,000

4 BED | 2 BATH | Renovated | 1.20 AC | 130ft Bay Frontage

3 BED | 3 BATH | 1,850 SF | .17 AC | New Construction

Chris Coleman Licensed Real Estate Salesperson M: 516.445.1513 O: 631.668.2000 chris.coleman@compass.com montaukcoleman.com montaukcolemanrealestate Avenue, 3rd Fl. NY, NY 10011. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing isfrom sources deemed reliable, but Compass makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof. All property information is presented

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FUN (AND DIFFERENT!) THINGS TO DO IN MONTAUK THIS SUMMER

BY ALICE PHILLIPS

I

t’s summertime in Montauk and the living is so beachy and easy. There’s so much to do – visiting the Montauk Lighthouse, biking the trails at Camp Hero Park, sport fishing, surfing at Ditch Plains beach are a few tried and true favorites. But what if you’re itching to do something just a little different? How about giving some of these a whirl??

Montauk Point. Photo: Jake Rajs

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LIFESTYLE

MONTAUK PARASAIL 470 West Lake Drive 631.377.1831 montaukparasail.com Fly high and get a bird’s eye view of the beauty of Montauk by parasail! Take a sunset or sunrise parasail or dare yourself to enjoy a high ride over the Montauk waters. Located at Star Island Yacht Club, you can take the free hop-on, hop-off bus service from the Montauk Loop or any of the other ten key stops in Montauk.

No skill or previous training is necessary, the team of parasailing professionals will make sure you have a safe and pleasurable parasailing experience.

HAMPTON BEACH SERVICE hamptonbeachservice.com Tired of schlepping your chairs, blankets, umbrellas, food and drinks to the beach for a sunset meal? Hampton Beach Service is passionate about bringing the Montauk experience to visitors, providing everything you need to have a wonderful, Montauk beach experience. Offerings include luxury beach bonfires at Town Line Beach, which include a beach picnic, bonfire and features full-size dinner tables, tablecloths and enough seating for all your guests. They provide everything you need to have a great time on the beach – from beach chairs, umbrellas, and cabanas to a starlit luxury beach fire in the sand.

SEA TURTLE DIVE CHARTERS 352 West Lake Drive 631.335.6323 seaturtlecharters.com Not just another run-of-the-mill fishing charter, Sea Turtle offers shark cage diving, scuba diving, spearfishing and shipwreck diving in the beautiful waters off the coast of Montauk. Experience the excitement and warm water of shark cage

diving south of Long Island where warm waters from the gulf stream bring an array of life including sharks (mako and blue), mahi-mahi, tuna, whales, ocean sunfish, porpoise and sea turtles.

MONTAUK SALT CAVE 552 West Lake Drive montauksaltcave.com Salt therapy (halotherapy) is the latest trend in selfcare. Allow yourself to sit, breathe, relax and exhilarate your sense of self in the beautiful cave setting surrounded by tons of Himalayan salt, which is both antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.

Choose your service and your healer and begin to feel better if you suffer from allergies, asthma and other respiratory illness; the salt is also a healing agent for those who suffer from skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and acne. The salt also eases cold and flu conditions and speeds recovery. There is also a children’s hour!

MONTAUK CYCLE BOAT 470 West Lake Drive 631.885.5134 montaukcycleboat.com How about a boat barhopping cycling workout? Jump on the Holden It Down, which is part boat, part bicycle and part bar to see Montauk Harbor from a unique perspective. The cycle boat can accommodate up to 16 people and human powered with 10 cycle seats and room for your additional guests who may want to enjoy the more scenic route. The boat leaves Salivar’s Clam & Chowder House Dock and makes stop(s) along Montauk Harbor allowing passengers to exit the boat and grab a drink. Great for team building, bachelor parties, bachelorette parties, family reunions, birthday parties, or any reason to have a good time.

SAILING MONTAUK’S MON TIKI CATAMARAN 59 Star Island Road 631.668.2826 sailingmontauk.com Sail the waters around Montauk on the Mon Tiki Largo — a US Coast Guard Certified, eco-conscious catamaran inspired by traditional Polynesian doublecanoe designs. There are daily scheduled sailing trips, which include day sailing, sunset cruises or private charters. No experience is necessary, and all ages are welcome! Mon Tiki is the only US Coast Guard certified sailing vessel operating full-time in Montauk.

PECONIC WATERSPORTS 32 Star Island Road 631.680.0111 peconicwatersports.com The best place in Montauk for alternate watersports! Jump on Peconic’s brand new Malibu Wakeboard boats to wakeboard, waterski, wakesurf and tube! Convenient access, with free pick up service at Navy Beach or any home or marina in Lake Montauk and Fort Pond Bay.

MARRAM LUXURY RESORT 21 Oceanview Terrace 631.668.2050 marrammontauk.com Explore Marram, the newly renovated and reopened luxury boutique hotel on Montauk oceanfront. The 96-room resort features updated suites, a revamped openair communal lounge, beach access and an on-site counter service of South American café Mostrador Marram, which is well known for its seasonally crafted rotating menus, beachfront grilling and homemade pastries. Mostrador will also introduce a new menu of classic cocktails inspired by the flavors of South America.

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ECO-LUXURY LAKE AND SUNSET VIEWS FROM A HILLTOP

OCEANFRONT ACRE IN SURFSIDE

$7,995,000 - MTK MDRN’s “Hilltop” is a modern sanctuary of eco-luxury set atop a hill with stunning views of Lake Montauk, wonderful sunsets, the ocean to the southwest, and a lush green canopy all around.

5,000 SF, 6 BR, 7 BA, 1.1 acres, salt-water pool, spa, patios, pool house and 2-car garage. Web# 880435

$9,995,000 - A rare find at 42 Surfside Avenue. Unique setting for luxurious beach house with room for pool. One acre oceanfront parcel close to all. Web# 582706

MONTAUK MAIN STREET COMMERCIAL

MID-CENTURY MODERN

$3,500,000 - Commercial Building on Montauk’s Main Street with 1,188 SF first floor retail space and second floor, 1BR apartment. Large unfinished lower level.

Conveniently located to all. Web# 883432

$4,800,000 - Renovated on Old Montauk Highway, this 3BR, 3BA, 2,400 SF home sits on 1.14 acres with finished lower level and a heated Gunite pool and spa. Web# 879439

Helen Stubbmann Licensed Real Es tate Salesper son m 6 31. 3 75 . 3 7 78 h s t u b b m a n n @ c o r c o r a n .c o m Consistently Ranked in Corcoran’s Multi-Million Dollar Club 23+ Years in Real Estate | 35+ Years in Building Renovation & Restoration

Real estate agents affiliated with The Corcoran Group are independent contractors and are not employees of The Corcoran Group. Equal Housing Opportunity. The Corcoran Group is a licensed real estate broker located at 729D Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Corcoran makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof.

All property information is presented subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice. All dimensions provided are approximate. To obtain exact dimensions, Corcoran advises you to hire a qualified architect or engineer.

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MODERN MONTAUK OASIS $1,495,000 - Beautifully renovated turn-key home on .52 acre down a quiet cul-de-sac street has room for a pool and expansion. Boasting an open floorplan, vaulted ceilings and 12’ sliding glass doors that let the light flow in from all angles. An oversized deck area provides a perfect space for informal dining or lounging. The unfinished lower level offers egress to the scenic yard and could be finished to add value. The grounds have gorgeous large oak trees and simply landscaped to provide ultimate privacy while allowing for room for a pool. This state-of-the-art home with high-end finishes has been renovated from top to bottom. Web# 890697

STUNNING PROPERTY

HITHER HILLS COTTAGE

$2,850,000 - Beautifully renovated 2,800 SF elegant and beachy home on .52 acre with 4BR, 3.5BA on 3-levels. Includes heated pool, smart lighting inside and out, irrigation, outdoor shower, whole home water filtration system, and on the upper sundeck there is an automatic awning. Web# 891222

$1,750,000 - Cozy cottage on a quarter acre includes vaulted ceilings, wood floors, fireplace, deck, 3BR and 1.5BA. The walk-out lower level is waiting to be finished. 3 blocks to ocean beaches, with MBPOA access to the seasonally private parking areas on Old Montauk Highway. Web# 890731

Helen Stubbmann Licensed Real Es tate Salesperson m 6 31. 3 75 . 3 7 78 h s t u b b m a n n @ c o r c o r a n .c o m

Gabrielle Portella Licensed Real Es tate Salesperson m 9 17. 3 2 7.72 0 5 g p o r t e l l a @ c o r c o r a n .c o m

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MARKETWATCH

MONTAUK MARKET REMAINS STRONG LACK OF SUPPLY CONSTRAINS LISTINGS AND SALES, FUELING RECORD MEDIAN PRICES

BY ALICE PHILLIPS Presented by Helen Stubbmann of The Corcoran Group

F

rom a real estate perspective, Montauk is very interesting: while considered a part of the Hamptons, it really operates as its own micro market with pricing and supply concerns and variables that differ from the rest of the Hamptons market. While much of the rest of the Hamptons has seen demand for property fueled by the COVID-19 pandemic and the corresponding flight from NYC, Montauk remains a bit in its own bubble. Distance from the city is a factor, as is the general beachy-town vibe that Montauk has managed to maintain in spite of ongoing residential development.

Notwithstanding the subtle market differences between Montauk and the rest of the Hamptons, housing supply in Montauk was eaten away by two years of record and near-record activity, as Long Islanders and wealthy New Yorkers sought more spacious, isolated properties or just accelerated home buying plans in response to the pandemic and low interest rates.

Now the lack of supply is constraining listings and sales. The Hamptons – including Montauk – is seen as separate from the rest of Long Island because it serves as second-home communities for many Long Islanders and New York City residents.

“The pandemic era is characterized not by a

decline in inventory but a collapse in inventory,” states Jonathan Miller of Miller Samuel in his market report prepared for Douglas Elliman. “The collapse has been caused by insatiable demand and a structural change in the way the Hamptons is perceived: it’s a co-primary market now instead of a luxury, second home market.”

The idea that Montauk is now a “co-primary market” is being proven by the latest market data. By the beginning of June of this year, listing inventory in Montauk increased to 24 properties representing a 9.1% increase over first quarter availability with an average time on the market of 118 days. As reported by Judi Desiderio, CEO of Town & Country Real Estate in her Hamptons Q1 report, the median home price in Montauk reached a new high: $2,000,000. However, inventory did not change in the one bedroom, two bedroom, four bedroom or five bedroom listings; volume only increased for three bedroom properties. Only two listings were sold above asking price; at least three listings were sold at a discount.

Rising interest rates, the specter of stagflation and a fear factor centered around national and global events is now beginning to have an

impact on the Montauk real estate market. As inflation eats away at down payment funds while rising interest rates impact a buyer’s ability to finance, properties are beginning to sit a bit longer on the market, with 200 days or more not being uncommon. These properties are subject to larger discounts and require brokers to be a bit cagey, removing listings and re-listing to create the illusion of “new”, with some pricing adjustments. However, there is some good news: for investment property buyers who remain in the market for the next ten years or more, the cost of borrowing money should remain cheaper than inflation making Montauk and the rest of the Hamptons a solid investment play. Additionally, the Hamptons remains one of the few markets in the United States where you can rent your home and very often be cash flow positive.

For Montauk homeowners thinking about selling, it’s important to make sure that your property pricing and positioning is exactly right for the Montauk environs and marketplace – or you could risk sitting on the market for a while and having your listing become “stale”. That being said, a beautiful and hot summer could make for a robust and active fall market, as those who are secure in Hamptons rental properties and future sellers decide to transact this fall. Only time will tell…

Presented by Joan Hegner of The Corcoran Group

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Lake Montauk Magic

Hither Hills 2 Acre Sanctuary

$10,900,000 - Superb sunsets on rare one acre with 141’ sandy beach, underwater acre to moor your boat and borders 4+ acre preserve. Fully updated 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths, vaulted living areas with 2 fireplaces, 2-car garage with upper studio, central air. Web# 882270

$5,295,000 - South of the highway home just 2 blocks from the beach. Top to bottom renovation, this 3,200 SF stunner has finished lowered level, 4BR, 3.5BA, vaulted great room with 2-story stone fireplace, den/office, heated gunite/waterfall pool, lush gardens, decks and massive lawn areas. Detached 2-car garage/studio. Web# 890524

Hither Hills Stunner

Close to All

$5,950,000 - Ultimate privacy on 1.2 acre ridge with 180º views, path to Old Montauk Highway and beach. Crisp, upside down Contemporary with 4 bedrooms, 4.5 baths, great room with new kitchen, fireplace, bi-level decks, pool, roof deck, den, garage, have it all! Web# 883332

$1,800,000 - Minute to town and ocean, this .70 acre hilltop home offers upper beamed great room, guest, half bath, large decks. Main level has 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths, porch, basement, garage, and outdoor shower. Room for pool.

Best value hands down. Web# 889215

40+ Years Listing & Selling Montauk and the Hamptons.

2021 Montauk Office Salesperson of the Year 2021 Multi-Million Dollar Club Member

Joan Hegner Licensed A s sociate Real E s tate Broker m 6 31. 69 7. 5 73 0 | j h e g n e r @ c o r c o r a n .c o m Real estate agents affiliated with The Corcoran Group are independent contractors and are not employees of The Corcoran Group. Equal Housing Opportunity. The Corcoran Group is a licensed real estate broker located at 729D Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954. All information furnished regarding property for sale or rent or regarding financing is from sources deemed reliable, but Corcoran makes no warranty or representation as to the accuracy thereof.

All property information is presented subject to errors, omissions, price changes, changed property conditions, and withdrawal of the property from the market, without notice. All dimensions provided are approximate. To obtain exact dimensions, Corcoran advises you to hire a qualified architect or engineer.

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Crittall-style windows and doors — fabricated from wood and fiberglass rather than steel — and concrete floors polished to a warm gray.

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MONTAUK A DESIGN ARBITER REVEALS ALL. SORT OF.

BY LEILA JONES

T

he photos make it seem like a breeze. You buy an old Montauk bungalow and transform it into an Instagramworthy vacation rental. For every layperson who thinks they could paint like Jackson Pollock (if only they tried), there is an armchair interior decorator who believes design glory can be theirs through a combination of good taste and Pinterest. Until, that is, the contractors’ estimates start coming in. Then, if they’re like most people, they will abruptly change tack. They’ll do the bare minimum and describe their surf shack as ‘minimalist’. Scrap the plan to raise the ceilings, forget about replacing the small inefficient windows, say good-bye to the floor boards with radiant heat. Just rip out the stained carpet, paint everything white, and call it a year.

The 1800-square-foot bungalow in the photos that has both launched and dashed countless redo dreams was designed by Robert McKinley, whose firm, Robert McKinley Studio, designed Montauk’s Surf Lodge. It’s the third in a series of beach cottages that McKinley and his wife, Kate Nauta, refurbished as buy-to-rent properties in Montauk. McKinley’s renovation process offers a window into how a designer sees and thinks.

For example, where some might have dismissed the single-story flatroofed structure as a mere concrete box, McKinley saw pure potential.

“Some houses have too many structural problems” says McKinley.

“They might have framing issues or poor foundations. We really don’t want to tackle those.” But not in this case. The house, located a block from the beach and within walking distance to the center of town, had been well maintained by the seller, its original owner.

One of McKinley’s first moves was to increase the usable space by

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gutting a car port and a studio, both to the east of the house. Where those structures once stood, he added a capacious master bedroom with an en suite bathroom. For the latter, he chose white porcelain Duravit fixtures because he liked their European feel. He also installed skylights, a new roof outfitted with solar panels, Crittall-style windows and doors — fabricated from wood and fiberglass rather than steel — and polished concrete floors. The color of those floors is a warm gray which evoked, for him, “the beautiful dark color of wet sand when the tide recedes.”

Photos: Nicole Frazen

DESIGNER SHOWCASE

The decor is a reflection of the couple’s relationship to both Montauk and the wider world. “The interiors are an expression of how we live as a family and how we like to decorate our own homes,” says McKinley. “We love to travel and we love hotels, but we also love renting houses. So when we decided to buy vacation rental properties, we thought, let’s make them really special.” For the couple, that means mixing vintage pieces with new and found objects. The antique Tuareg floor mats work perfectly with the furniture he designed for the bungalow, including a plush linen sofa and a window seat. Such carefully considered choices strike an earthy tactile note that adds warmth to the decor. McKinley appreciates the “grounding quality of natural materials that aren’t overly finished.”

“I’m a very emotional designer and my wife is a creative person and we share a need for timeless things that age well.” Many of those items are available for purchase. McKinley explains, “It was my wife’s idea to do shoppable homes.

We thought, let’s let people in on how we find and do things.” To do that end, the couple has a list of design resources on their McKinley Bungalow website. But McKinley isn’t giving away trade secrets. “What I don’t share with the public are our inspiration boards. The formula for getting there is infinitely more precious to me than the final product.”

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Robert McKinley

“The interiors are an expression of how we live as a family and how we like to decorate our own homes.”

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Your Montauk Connection

Montauk born and raised, Susan and Candace, bring their passion and knowledge for the area to every client they meet.

With Susan’s 20 plus years in Montauk Real Estate you can trust these two to help with buying or selling your Montauk property, from beach bungalows to oceanfront estates.

Diamond Award, 2022 Top 5% of Agents Company-wide*

Susan Ceslow

Candace Ceslow

O 631.668.6565 | M 631.335.0777 susan.ceslow@elliman.com

O 631.668.6565 | M 631.318.0172 candace.ceslow@elliman.com

Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker

Lic. R.E. Salesperson

*AT DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE . 2488 MAIN ST, P.O. BOX 1251, BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY 11932. 631.537.5900 © 2022 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS,

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ONS,

Available | Montauk | $2,495,000 | 4 BR, 2 BA | Web# H365175

Available | Montauk | $549,000 | 1 BR, 1 BA Co-op | Web# H363284

Sold in 2022 | 31 South Dewitt Place, Montauk

Sold in 2022 | 82 Gannet Drive, Montauk

Sold in 2022 | 20 Hamilton Drive, Montauk

Sold in 2022 | 124 Monroe Drive, Montauk | $2,995,000

elliman.com

CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

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SPOTLIGHT

BORN SURVIVOR

BY RICHARD LEWIN

Photos: Richard Lewin

STEMMING THE TIDES OF CHANGE IN MONTAUK

A

nyone who has lived on the East End for any length of time has a real estate story about “the one that got away”. “I could have bought a cottage in Ditch Plains for $28,000”, “There was an acre on the ocean for $88,000”.

Since Montauk has been “discovered”, there are more of such stories than ever. Every square foot of land at “The End” is accounted for, and experiences regular astronomical increases in market value.

Many of Montauk’s original families are cashing out and moving to Florida, the Carolinas and to areas closer to their extended families around the United States. There is now even more pressure on land usage, caused by recent studies suggesting that Downtown and Oceanfront Montauk might have to retreat from rising sea levels.

It is not only dry land, but also Montauk’s waters that are experiencing this kind of pressure. Since Montauk, really a peninsula, has always been a fishing-dependent community, ownership and control of its waterways are equally as important as land management. Regarding inland waterways, both the shores and the bottom lands of Lake Montauk are being prepared for maximum value, with dredging proposed to allow for the docking of larger vessels, and ownership of bottom lands in dispute.

Mike Martinsen of Montauk Pearl Oysters

Change doesn’t happen easily or swiftly in the Montauk community, especially when it comes to its fishing heritage. The South Fork Wind Farm, 35 miles off its Atlantic shore, for example, has taken years to be approved because of concerns about the potential disruption of the eco-system of local sea life. In order to keep their independent businesses going, local entrepreneurs in the fishing and related industries are now being forced to adapt to a barrage of property transfers, regulations, permitting procedures and more, besides their daily rigorous duties.

One who has survived it all is naturally born bayman Mike Martinsen, founder and owner of Montauk Pearl Oysters. From the day he sold his first Radio Flyer full of Eaton’s Neck oysters at age 11, for $224, Mike knew he was “hooked”. In 1994 Mike’s passion for a bigger catch brought him to Montauk, where he took his first job fishing for squid on the 87-foot “Atlantis”. Mike wanted to be the captain of his own ship. Through successive steps up in boat size and capacity, business expanded. For the boat-savvy, Mike has owned: a 16-foot Pickerell Sharpie, a 20-foot Garvey, a 20foot Eastporter, a 21-foot Steiger Craft, a 36-foot Novi Lobster Boat, and a 28-foot Arvitson.

Besides the pressures of dealing with real estate related issues, the expansion of Montauk Pearl Oysters has faced other challenges unique to the industry…local complete die-offs of varieties of catch. These have included the oyster die-off of 1996/1997 from Dermo and MSX, the 1999 lobster die-off due to the effects of climate change and malathion, and the 2001 clam die-off from QPX Quahog Parasite disease.

Relocation has been another constant challenge for Mike, leading him to locations on Block Island Sound off Culloden Point, the shoreline of Lake Montauk (becoming smaller and smaller due to local development), and a ten-acre site on Napeague Bay, among others.

Wherever he goes, he travels on boats he has custom rebuilt himself, with his oyster cages, buoys, and other necessary equipment aboard. Mike sees the ecological benefits of oyster-based aquaculture in three areas, including “recruitment”, which helps create a “mother stock” (the next generation of oysters); the filter feeding function of oysters filters nitrogen, algae, phosphorus, carbon, and phytoplankton out of the water. In addition, the oyster cages provide a perfect habitat for seaweeds, sponges, blackfish, black sea bass, cunner, lungfish, fluke, and others.

One of the top idealists and optimists about Montauk’s fishing future, Mike was recently recruited to the East Hampton Town Trustees.

He hopes that his role there will help him be part of the preservation of Montauk’s fishing heritage.

Time will tell.

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