Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway has recently launched hull No. 1 of its Marta class, co-proprietor Nat Benjamin’s design No. 100. This full-keel 26′ gaff-rigged sloop is for daysailing and overnighting. Marta’s sheerline will never appear to go flat aft, no matter from what angle it is viewed. The boat has a 40-percent ballast ratio.
In the autumn of 2022, Nat Benjamin met with partners Ross Gannon and Brad Abbott of Gannon & Benjamin Marine Railway to discuss a new design that might “fill the gap” between Gannon & Benjamin’s popular 21′ Bella class and their Holmes Hole 29. The parameters for Marta came from that meeting.
This new sloop measures 26′ LOA. She has a full keel of moderate draft and a comfortable self-bailing cockpit that seats six. The gaff-headed mainsail and self-tending jib can be set, trimmed, and lowered easily from that cockpit. Auxiliary propulsion comes from an electric motor, which can take its power from the sun.
Marta’s hull lines show a lot of pleasing shape. The sheerline sweeps down smoothly to Station 7, where it turns up strongly and heads aft to meet the transom. This sheer will never appear to go flat aft, no matter from what angle we might view it.
The body plan reveals sections that describe relatively firm bilges, which give Marta a fair amount of form stability. This, combined with a 40-percent ballast ratio, helps her stand up to a breeze and stay dry when punching into a head sea.
The well-proportioned gaff-headed mainsail suits Marta functionally and aesthetically. Its gaff is sufficiently peaked up to discourage it from sloughing off to leeward as we beat to windward. This desirable trait is enhanced by the gaff’s relatively short length and an efficient angle of pull for the peak halyard, which is permitted by a mast that extends well above the height of the gaff jaws.
As its name suggests, the self-tending jib cares for itself as we come about. The jib’s club, which is tacked down to a pivot on the foredeck, ensures that this 90-sq-ft sail automatically relaxes a little as the sheet is eased for sailing off the wind. As we sheet it in for working to windward, the jib will flatten itself slightly. This seems to be an improvement upon self-tending jibs with their clubs or booms tacked directly to headstays, as they sometimes set too flat when running or too full when sailing hard on the wind.
Marta’s standing rigging is simple. Sufficient drift to the shrouds eliminates any need for backstays.
The crew sits at deck level with backs against gently curved coamings. This cockpit sole is well above the load waterline, for self-bailing.
The design elements described above work well together. Benjamin tells us: “I have sailed Marta in a variety of conditions. She is nimble, fast, and well-behaved.” His fellow designer, Antonio Salguero, skippered the sloop in the 2023 Vineyard Gaff Rig Race, and found that “Marta showed her curved raked transom to many larger boats.” Although pleased with this success on the race course, Benjamin points out that the boat’s main purpose is “to bring adventure and enjoyment” to those who sail her.
An Electric Yacht Quiet Torque 10 propulsion system provides auxiliary power when desired. It will push this sloop along nearly silently at about 5 knots, and a solar panel or a convenient dockside outlet can charge its batteries.
The cabin has two single berths and a galley counter. The small head rests behind a curtain.
Marta’s cockpit sole rests well above the load waterline, which ensures reliable self-bailing. Her crew sits at deck level next to the gently curved coamings. This arrangement provides good visibility and comfort.
Down below we’ll find two full-sized single berths and a basic galley counter. The small head rests behind a curtain. Most sailors understand that true privacy doesn’t exist aboard boats of this size and type.
MARTA’s hull is built plank-on-frame, which is Gannon & Benjamin’s specialty. The sections show relatively firm bilges, which give Marta a fair amount of form stability. The structural timbers of hull No. 1 are of purpleheart and live oak. Her first several bottom strakes and sheerstrake are of wana; the rest of the planking is cedar.
The Gannon & Benjamin shop built Marta’s hull in traditional plank-on-frame fashion. Some structural timbers are of purpleheart, and the stem is live oak. Her first several bottom strakes, and sheerstrake, are of wana, a tropical hardwood; the rest of the planking is cedar. Her cabin and cockpit coamings come from silverballi.
Benjamin notes that his crew finished this pocket cruiser with enough brightwork to “highlight” the various woods, but not so much as to “make her difficult to maintain.” They painted the deck and cockpit, and left the toerails bare. He sums up his feelings about Marta’s purpose: “I envision a couple or small family venturing forth on overnight trips, or cruising down the coast. She’ll get you there and back, finest-kind.” 
Mike O’Brien is boat design editor for WoodenBoat.
Designer Nat Benjamin can be reached at 30A Beach Rd., Vineyard Haven, MA 02568; 508–693–4658; npb1837@gmail.com.