Our story
Still family owned, still local
In June 2025, Jennifer Hilton Cavanagh and her husband Andrew Cavanagh bought Standish Boat Yard from Jenn's uncle Ken Hilton and Jack and Gail Brimicombe. The yard her grandparents bought in 1969 stays in the family, and in local hands, for a third generation.
This place is part of our family's story. My grandparents poured their love and energy into it, and my uncle helped it grow into the place boaters know and love today. We're so proud to be the next stewards of Standish.
Our goal is simple: preserve what makes Standish special, and make it even stronger for the future. We're not here to reinvent the wheel. We're here to take care of it.
Where we come from
Salt water on both sides of the family
Jenn's grandparents, Kenneth and Marjory Hilton, bought Standish with their partners Jack and Gail Brimicombe in 1969. For decades after, her uncle Ken Hilton ran the yard day to day and made it a welcoming harbor for local and visiting boaters. Jenn's father is a well-known marine surveyor in the area.
Andrew's father, Robert Cavanagh Jr., captained a lobster boat on the Sakonnet for many years. Andrew owns and runs Cavanagh Marine, Inc., a marine construction company, and Jenn is a longtime local Realtor.
What we're here to do
Take care of what makes Standish special
We kept everything boaters count on: slips, moorings, gas and diesel, hauling, storage and a full-service shop. You'll find us here in season, boots on the dock, alongside our crew and our shop dogs Henry and Chip.
We're working to keep Standish thriving for the next hundred years. As Jenn puts it, "My grandparents would be so happy to know it's staying in the family. This place is home."
Three generations
- Late 1800s – 1969
Before the Hiltons
The building dates to the late 1800s, long before the Standish family ran the yard. Read the full history.
- 1969 · First generation
Kenneth & Marjory Hilton
Jenn's grandparents buy the yard from the Standish family, with partners Jack and Gail Brimicombe.
- Second generation
Ken Hilton
Jenn's uncle Ken runs the yard for decades, alongside Jim Hilton and Craig Brimicombe.
- June 2025 · Third generation
Jenn & Andrew
Jennifer Hilton Cavanagh and Andrew Cavanagh buy the yard from Ken and the Brimicombes.
