In the 1970s Ross Gannon, an engineer by training, and Nat Benjamin, who was working at Martha’s Vineyard Shipyard, crossed paths on Martha’s Vineyard.
They became friends, and recognizing that they shared a passion for working with wood and sailing, they opened the Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway in 1980.
Their now famous wooden yacht yard has built and restored boats of all sorts and sizes — from new canoes and yacht tenders to the restorations of the 63-foot Alden schooner When and If and the 72-foot yawl Zorra.
In this video from Vineyard Stories, Gannon and Benjamin discuss the origins of their yard and the work they do:
Want to know more? Check out Soundings’ Walking the Plank interview with Gannon and Benjamin.
