The Story of Gibson Dry Dock
The story of Gibson Dry Dock is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: a boatyard where owners could work on their own boats. When Robert L. (Bob) Gibson couldn’t find a yard that offered that freedom, he decided to build one himself.
Born in Palatka, Florida, and raised on Anastasia Island, Bob developed a deep love for boats and the water from an early age. He built his first sailboat at just 16. His father owned the historic Gibson Boat House on River Street in Palatka, where the passion for maritime life ran deep. Bob later married fellow Palatka native Sophie Elizabeth Howard Walton, whose family had long ties to the steamboat trade on the St. Johns River.
After retiring from his career as a Pan American Airways pilot in 1968, Bob and Sophie purchased 60 acres along the St. Johns River. There, Bob set out to build his dream: a boatyard where hands-on boat owners could do their own work in a supportive, well-equipped environment.
When Bob passed away in 1992, Sophie continued his vision with the able assistance of Palatka native Tom Kight to operate the yard and its machinery. Sophie remained devoted to the boatyard until her passing in 2002. Today, Gibson Dry Dock remains a family-owned and operated legacy managed by the Gibson family. The yard still has – and will always have – the Bob Gibson section where boat owners can roll up their sleeves and work on their own boats.
N 29° 36.681' / W 081° 35.439'
- Boat yard
- Boat storage
- Dry storage
- Dockage
- Work area (including access for DIY)
- Sailboat Storage
- Trawler Storage
- Haul out
- Hurricane safe storage (St. Johns River’s Hurricane Hole!)
See our Rate Sheet
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After graduating from Cornell University with a degree in engineering, Bob — our founder —faced an uncertain future as the Great Depression took hold of the nation. With few opportunities available, he joined the Navy’s flight training program, where he distinguished himself as one of America’s first aircraft carrier pilots.
Following his service, Bob was recruited by Pan American Airways to pilot their legendary seaplanes, fondly known as “flying boats.” His career with Pan Am took him and his wife Sophie to far-reaching destinations—from the vibrant shores of Trinidad and Rio de Janeiro to San Francisco, where he flew the iconic China Clippers across the Pacific.
