Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway

Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway Located on Martha's Vineyard, our mission and passion, is designing, building, repairing, maintaining and sailing wooden boats.

Established in 1980 by Nat Benjamin and Ross Gannon, Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway has built over 50 substantial vessels, mostly to Nat’s designs. With design inspiration from classic yachts and traditional boats, and built with the highest quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship, our boats are intended to take owners, family and friends sailing in a comfortable, safe and seamanlike fa

shion. Built in plank-on-frame construction, our boats range in size from an 8-foot dinghy to a 65-foot schooner. Every step of the process, from design to selection of wood, construction, rigging and outfitting takes place in our shop, allowing the construction to move forward in a harmonious, cost-effective, quality-controlled manner. We have extensive experience with a wide variety of vessels, capable of building or repairing boats for a row around the pond, to a cruise around the world.

06/10/2026

After two consecutive off-seasons at Gannon & Benjamin, the 57-foot Sparkman & Stephens yawl “Impala” has completed an extensive program of refit work. The project included a complete engine overhaul, rig refit, structural repairs, brightwork restoration, and numerous mechanical and electrical upgrades. Launched this spring from Vineyard Haven, she wasted little time getting back to what she was built for and is headed back to her home port of Nantucket.

Spring commissioning is in full swing, and with it comes a familiar face on the waterfront. Each year, Melissa Patterson...
06/09/2026

Spring commissioning is in full swing, and with it comes a familiar face on the waterfront. Each year, Melissa Patterson returns to lend her talent and craftsmanship to boats preparing for the season ahead. Her custom design work and hand painted boat names can be found on vessels throughout our harbor and beyond. A longtime signmaker, artist, and creative force, Melissa has become a cherished part of the spring commissioning tradition, helping boats look their very best before they return to the water.

06/02/2026

We built the 26’ sloop “Marta” in 2023, marking an important milestone as our first boat with electric auxiliary power - a 48-volt Quiet Torque 10 motor that can be charged by solar panels or plugged into shore power.

A nimble daysailer with simple overnight accommodations for “pocket cruising,” “Marta” features a self-tending jib and mainsail that can be set and lowered from the spacious six-person cockpit. She’s also outfitted .

Today, after winter storage at Mugwump and spring commissioning that included fresh paint and varnish, we launched her for another season in Vineyard Haven Harbor with the help of ’s travel lift - and an excited new owner at the helm.

05/28/2026

“Mary C” is a classic Downeast lobster boat built by George Emory in Maine for offshore fishing. At the Mugwump shop, she received a new Iroko deck along with updated electronics and steering systems. Now that the structural and systems work is complete, she’s moved over to the Beachfront Shop for her final cosmetic work before relaunch - preserving her traditional character while making her more capable and comfortable for fishing today.

05/21/2026

As part of Gannon & Benjamin’s transportation services, we offer vessel delivery to and from the yard - moving boats by water to wherever they need to go.

Once work is completed in the shop, G&B can return a vessel to its home port, whether that’s nearby in Edgartown, up the coast to Maine, or beyond.

H12 “Thimble,” which undergoes annual storage, painting, and varnishing, is now making her way back to Edgartown.

After completing this winter’s hull repair, cosmetic overhaul, electric and mechanical refit, the 57-foot yawl “Impala”...
05/18/2026

After completing this winter’s hull repair, cosmetic overhaul, electric and mechanical refit, the 57-foot yawl “Impala” returns to the water via our marine railway.

’Tis the season for paint and varnish. Grateful for the crew that keeps these boats looking their best year after year. ...
05/11/2026

’Tis the season for paint and varnish. Grateful for the crew that keeps these boats looking their best year after year. Couldn’t do it without them.

05/07/2026

“Revonoc” on the move.

A 45’ offshore k/c yawl built in 1946 heading out of the Mugwump shop and over to for the travel lift, then on to , where Myles steps the rig he built, with launch to follow.

This winter’s work addressed a leaking butt block, scarfing in new material in the broadstrake, and spring maintenance of paint and varnish.

Next winter, the scope opens up a bit: we will be removing the deck, completing any necessary frame work it reveals, laying a teak deck, and building a new cabin house.

We’ve worked with “Revonoc” and her owners over a number of seasons now. From a centerline replacement and structural work to compete systems and interior updates, she’s been an ongoing process - sailed, used, and improved along the way.

Some recent Mark Lennihan () shots from around the Beachfront Shop and Mugwump.
05/01/2026

Some recent Mark Lennihan () shots from around the Beachfront Shop and Mugwump.

04/29/2026

The beachfront shop is buzzing with projects as the weather warms up - it’s almost that time again!

Address

30 Beach Road, Apt A
Vineyard Haven, MA
02568

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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