I designed this traditional carvel sloop as my senior project at Maine Maritime Academy in 1992 for my uncle, Ross Gannon. He built the boat over a 12 year period with his wife, Kirsten Scott, making a few changes along the way including lengthening the cabin to the mast, relocating the head in the arrangement plan, and a few other modifications. The size of the boat was somewhat determined by a mast that he salvaged from a previous sloop named ELEDA. This boat is characterized by a rising sheer and raised pilot house, flush deck and heavy displacement and other elements inspired in me by classic designers that I feel make this vessel a rugged and safe offshore cruiser. Construction is entirely tropical hardwoods and built to the enduring quality for which Gannon and Benjamin is well known.
As of this writing (5/2014), Eleda is cruising the Caribbean, having just won her division at Antigua Race Week, as well as the Arne Frisell Prize for greatest attention to structural integrity and safety. The copyrighted photo in the gallery was taken by Tim Wright.
