To say that Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway on Martha's Vineyard is a boatbuilding and repair business would be to understate the situation by far. Their gorgeous wooden boats of all sizes are classic in styling and solidly built, using traditional methods with nary a CAD program in sight. To watch a boat go from a pencil drawing all the way to launch is quite spectacular! Ross Gannon and Nat Benjamin have been interviewed frequently, and their business has even been the subject of a book (Michael Ruhlman's Wooden Boats: In Pursuit of the Perfect Craft at an American Boatyard
)But these guys prefer to spend their time on the boats rather than working the marketing angle, so that's where I come in! Let me introduce those of you who aren't familiar with G&B to the two owners, who have answered my Five Questions individually.
1) G&B is well known for boat building and design -- out of all of the different types of boats you build and work on, what type of boat building is the most challenging?
Nat:Determining when to proceed or cut your (owners’) losses on very tired, old boats of dubious design qualifications. All boatbuilding is challenging but more so when systems begin to get complicated.
Ross:I find all types of traditionally built craft interesting to work on or build. But my interest is in sailing vessels of all sizes. I must say that building the powerboats we’ve done has been challenging and a good learning experience.
2) If I find an old wood boat in a shed, how will I know if it's worth fixing up?
Nat:First, ask yourself, 'do I like the shape and general look of the boat? Will it sail? Is the designer/builder known? Was it well built?' If you decide to proceed, make an offer subject to a marine survey.
Ross:I’d look at the materials she’s built of first. Non-ferrous metals and durable woods make a boat easier and much less expensive to repair.
3) Building boats is a pretty tough job, particularly in the dead of winter! What keeps you in this line of work instead of giving it all up for a cushy office with a big heater?
Nat:Aside from the huge bonus and salary, I can’t stay awake in a cushy office with a big heater.
Ross:The challenges never stop coming. A boat builder continues to learn his/her entire career.
4) G&B boats seem to have a timeless quality. What do you think contributes to that feeling?
Nat:They are based on timeless values — classic yachts without a lot of glitter, rather grace.
Ross:The designs are time-proven. The boats we’ve built are all similar to other boats built in an earlier time. Also, keeping them as simple as possible must be a factor: in construction, in systems, in rigging, in all.
5) I've been around boat builders long enough to know that they can build a boat with most anything, but do you have a favorite tool or bit of machinery that you'd really miss if it wasn't around?
Nat:The bandsaw is a must. Basic personal hand tools. I’m always lost if I can’t find my opinel (pocket knife).
Ross:My hand tools are more important than any others. They become an extension of your hands so if you pick up someone else’s plane, chisel, spokeshave, etc., it won’t work like your own. The machine tools pretty much all do the same thing, with only slight differences from one to another.
Thanks, guys! To see more of what goes on at Gannon & Benjamin, visit the extensive galleries on their website and view current and previous projects, designs, videos (there's a very cool video called 'Sheena' which takes you all the way through a boat build) and more. And in the meantime, here's a short video of a G&B boat called Here & Now, designed and built at the yard in Vineyard Haven, that will give you an idea of why people fall in love with wooden boats...
Here and Now from christopher Cohen on Vimeo.
Stay tuned for the next Five Questions business, as we help small businesses get the word out in 2010!
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