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.
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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.

Brad Abbott is on his way home from Greenland with plenty of stories to share. Here’s just one from the journey: About 5...
08/21/2026

Brad Abbott is on his way home from Greenland with plenty of stories to share. Here’s just one from the journey: About 50nm south of Nuuk, he passed lines of icebergs drifting out from Greenland’s glacier-fed fjords and being carried north by the current. Over the next two to three years, that ice will make its way down the Labrador and Newfoundland coasts before eventually heading out to sea and melting.

Brad is now about halfway across the Davis Strait in the Labrador Sea, headed for Cartwright, Labrador, which he hopes to reach this Saturday.

Sunrise at the shop by CHACE
08/13/2026

Sunrise at the shop by CHACE

Gannon & Benjamin built schooners “Rebecca” and “Juno” side by side at the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta
08/04/2026

Gannon & Benjamin built schooners “Rebecca” and “Juno” side by side at the Eggemoggin Reach Regatta

Earlier this summer, G&B’s Brad Abbott departed Vineyard Haven aboard “Calabash” on a long-planned voyage to Greenland.A...
07/23/2026

Earlier this summer, G&B’s Brad Abbott departed Vineyard Haven aboard “Calabash” on a long-planned voyage to Greenland.

After sailing up the coast to Newfoundland, the crew continued north to explore the fjords around Nuuk and Qaqortoq - navigating icy waters, remote anchorages, katabatic winds, and floating ice along the way.

With “Calabash” in great condition following her restoration at G&B, Brad, his wife Alice, and the crew are making the most of a true bucket-list adventure.

Fair winds to “Calabash” - we look forward to welcoming her back to Vineyard Haven with plenty of stories to share.

Save the Date: Pat West Gaff Rig and Schooner Race!Join us every September on Martha’s Vineyard - this year on Saturday,...
07/23/2026

Save the Date: Pat West Gaff Rig and Schooner Race!

Join us every September on Martha’s Vineyard - this year on Saturday, September 19, 2026 - for the annual Pat West Gaff Rig and Schooner Race, a tribute to the legendary mariner and a celebration of sailing. After a day of racing, enjoy the evening at the Gannon and Benjamin Beach Shop party, where we share stories and connect over our love of boats.

📸 Mark Lennihan

Launching “Summer Dawn” by Alison Shaw
07/17/2026

Launching “Summer Dawn” by Alison Shaw

07/12/2026

Great to see so many G&B boats out on the starting line for this year’s Vineyard Cup. Whether built here or cared for in our yard, Juno, Mah Jong, Revonoc, and Artemis were all part of the fleet. Clips by the talented

06/30/2026

After an extensive restoration, “Summer Dawn” has officially returned to the water.

Yesterday morning, we launched “Summer Dawn” from Mugwump to the Martha's Vineyard Shipyard travel lift, marking the completion of her restoration.

The project was led by Antonio, whose leadership, craftsmanship, and dedication guided it from start to finish. Harry and Ben were also an integral part of the restoration.

“Summer Dawn” is one of the last wooden fishing boats to have worked out of Martha’s Vineyard. Built by Fred Bates in Wakefield, Rhode Island, she was owned and fished commercially by Captain John Larsen for nearly 40 years, from 1982 to 2022.

She’s now heading home to Edgartown - ready for her next chapter. Her character as a hardworking fishing boat has been carefully preserved, ensuring she’ll remain a lasting part of the Vineyard’s maritime heritage for years to come.

06/25/2026

“Half Moon,” the 43’ 1926 John Alden-designed schooner, has spent the last three winters here at G&B. After completing extensive cosmetic and rigging refits, we tackled the final major project this winter: a full electrical system upgrade.

Led by Critch, the team replaced the previous electrical system with a complete Victron lithium iron phosphate battery package and integrated management system, reducing weight while increasing onboard power capacity and efficiency.

The installation is complete, the rig is back up, and “Half Moon” is ready for a summer of cruising.

06/18/2026

Built in 1929 and still turning heads!

We’re honored to be partnering with MV Fishermens Preservation Trust in the restoration of the Little Lady, one of New England’s most historic working fishing vessels. This project represents more than a rebuild - it’s an opportunity to preserve a piece of maritime history while ensuring she remains active for years to come.

Contact us to learn how to support the project.

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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