TEAM

Nat Benjamin

Nat Benjamin has been sailing since his youth and crewed on his first offshore delivery to St. Thomas when he was 20. When he arrived in the Caribbean in 1967, there were still many classic wooden yachts in the charter fleet and Nat feasted his eyes on lovely old schooners, ketches and yawls from the drawing boards of Alden, Herreshoff, Sparkman and Stephens, Fife, Rhodes and others. Since then Nat has delivered yachts and skippered charter boats across the Atlantic, through the Mediterranean, and to and from New England to the Caribbean.  In 1972 Nat and his wife, Pam, sailed into Vineyard Haven Harbor on a 1921 Johan Anker 10-meter class sloop. Taken by the beauty of the island and it's people, they decided this was the place to settle down and raise a family.

In 1980, Nat and Ross Gannon—another craftsman hooked on classic boats and ocean sailing—founded the Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway, a boatyard that specializes in the design, construction, repair, and maintenance of traditionally built wooden boats. Since its founding, Nat has designed over 100 vessels ranging from 8' yacht tenders to the 65' schooner Juno. The boatyard has built over 85 boats and has repaired many more, while nurturing a legion budding shipwrights.

In 2011 Nat and Ross welcomed a third partner, Brad Abbott. The partners take pride in building yachts that are known for seaworthiness, speed, elegant simplicity, and meticulous craftsmanship. Nat and his artist wife, Pam, are also committed to community service. Every summer they offer their 50' schooner, Charlotte, (built at G&B in 2007) as an auction item to benefit island non-profit organizations. Charlotte has made several passages to Haiti where Pam, through her non-profit Sense of Wonder Creations.org, has created an art and music program, raised money for community gardens, improved water quality, and supported an orphanage.

Nat has served as a trustee at the Mystic Seaport Museum, the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, and Sail Martha’s Vineyard. Nat and Pam have two grown daughters and five grandchildren, all living on Marthas Vineyard.

Ross Gannon

Ross Gannon’s journey into boatbuilding started with a fascination for engineering and craftsmanship.

After moving to Martha’s Vineyard in 1969, he shifted to boatbuilding, co-founding Gannon and Benjamin Marine Railway in 1980 with Nat Benjamin.

Ross brings his engineering background to every project, ensuring structural integrity and seaworthiness in the boats he builds. Known for his skill and attention to detail, he has played a key role in restoring and creating numerous vessels.

Ross is also a mentor to the next generation of boatbuilders, sharing his knowledge and passion for wooden boats.

Brad Abbott

Brad Abbott joined Gannon and Benjamin in 2010, bringing a wealth of mechanical expertise and experience from running his own boatyard in Wisconsin.

Along with his wife, Alice Kyburg, he sailed their 48-foot yawl, “Aurora”, from the Great Lakes to the Caribbean before settling on Martha’s Vineyard. Brad’s skills in engine work, plumbing, electrical systems, and mechanical repairs helped expand the boatyard’s services, enabling it to take on more complex projects.

Today, he works closely with Ross and Nat on both new builds and restorations, ensuring that Gannon and Benjamin continues to thrive as a hub of traditional boatbuilding, with an eye on the future of the craft.

Lyle Zell

Lyle Zell, a skilled boatbuilder at Gannon and Benjamin, has been immersed in boatbuilding from a young age. Born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard, he grew up working in the shop and on the beach alongside his father, Ross Gannon, co-founder of the boatyard. 

Lyle started working after school in 6th grade, and by 7th grade, he and Ross were already rebuilding a 26' Folkboat, completing the project by Lyle’s junior year of high school. After graduating in 2008, Lyle spent several years sailing and working on boats both on Martha’s Vineyard and in the Caribbean.

In 2011, he returned to school, studying yacht design at Maine Maritime and The Landing School. Lyle also spent a year working in a sail loft before returning to Gannon and Benjamin full-time in 2014.

Known for his craftsmanship and attention to detail, Lyle’s deep knowledge of traditional boatbuilding has made him a valued member of the team.

Christian Cabral

Born and raised on Martha’s Vineyard, Christian began his marine career working for Gannon and Benjamin then transitioning to working for Capt. Robert Douglas onboard Black Dogs two schooners Alabama and Shenandoah.

A graduate from the University of San Francisco, Christian has spent the majority of his career on the water onboard commercial and private vessels including Gannon and Benjamin’s own Juno.

After several years serving as the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museums Vice President of Shipyard Operations, Christian has returned to Gannon and Benjamin with a primary focus on operations and service.