Schooner Charlotte and Martha’s Vineyard boatyard subject of film
The Beacon Sloop Club Winter Lecture Series concludes on Friday, May 17, with Charlotte: A Wooden Boat Story, a documentary film about tradition, craftsmanship, community and a love of the sea.
Charlotte is a film about a boatyard, the Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway, located on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Ross Gannon and Nat Benjamin established the boatyard in 1980 with the purpose of designing, building and maintaining traditionally built wooden boats, and in the process they transformed Vineyard Haven harbor into a Mecca for wooden-boat owners and enthusiasts.
After a long career of designing and constructing boats for others, Benjamin embarked on building a 50-foot gaff-rigged schooner for use by his family and friends — her name is Charlotte.
WoodenBoat magazine said, “Charlotte is a lovely portrait of a boatyard that connects ancient skills and methods, with a nod here and there to modern technology.” Covering more than four years cinematographer Brian Dowley and director Kusama-Hinte have created a moving portrait of artistry and love from the laying of her keel to the Charlotte’s launch.
This free event will be held on Friday, May 17, 7 p.m. at the Beacon Sloop Club, 2 Flynn Drive, Beacon (adjacent to the harbor). In the event of inclement weather, check the website at beaconsloopclub.org. For further information, call 845-463-4660 or 914-879-1082.
