Jeff Marshall typically starts his days early at the MysticShipyard, a 169-year old marina with a history steeped in theconstruction of schooners and iron-clad ships to sail the waterwaysof New England.

Marshall, along with Robert Helbig, are co-owners of theshipyard located in Mystic, Conn. Opened in 1843, the marina washome to several ships, including the Jennie R. Dubois, constructedin 1902 and the largest sailing ship ever built in Mystic, Marshallsaid. At a cost of almost $100,000, it was designed to carry 3,000tons of coal or two million board feet of lumber. 

After a shift to building catamaran power boats called sea sledsfor racing and recreation and also as tenders for presidentialyachts in the 1940s, the Mystic Shipyard was repurposed again as arecreational marina. It is now home to 165 summer residents andover 300 winter storage customers. The shipyard also offers customshipwright carpentry, fiberglass repair and refinishing, riggingservices, engine repair and re-powering.