The Shannon 28 is perhaps one of the only boats under 30 feet that was built in America for serious offshore sailing. Every conceivable item, from hull design to the layout of the galley dish locker was incorporated to produce the finest yacht possible.
Launched in 1978, the Shannon 28 is regarded as one of the highest quality production 28 footers to come from America. The boat was conceived to serve well for family cruising right through to serious offshore sailing with liveaboard capability for two. Notable accomplishments include the two single-handed passages across the Atlantic by Rudder Magazine’s editor, Monk Farnham, at age 72 and again at age 76 which earn him a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The design came from Walter Schulz, a boatbuilder described as one of the last of a wonderful breed, the complete boatbuilder – one who designs boats, invents rigs, iterates on hull shapes not only computer but also crafts the half models for testing and finally builds the real boat with his own hands. He founded Shannon Yachts in Rhode Island in 1975 with the launch of the sweet sailing Shannon 38 offshore cruiser. The Shannon 28 followed just 3 years later as the second yacht to join the stable.
Schulz’ design goals for the Shannon 28 was typical of a good cruiser – seaworthiness, comfort, and stable handling across all wind and seas condition, but he also wanted the boat to be exciting to sail. Her heavy displacement and full keel configuration fulfils the former, but interestingly, by positioning the rudder further aft and cutting away the aft portion of the keel, the Shannon 28 is also quite responsive. Rig selection also reinforces the design theme with the choice of a true cutter configuration, a favourite for offshore passage-making for its ability to maintain balance over a wide range of wind conditions. At 470 square feet of canvas, her sail area to displacement ratio is high enough to give her respectable light air performance and overall performance is good.
Accommodations Starting forward, there is easy access to the split anchor locker. Next are V-berths with storage under and shelving and lockers along the V-berth’s length. A generous hatch ensures superior ventilation even on the warmest nights. Beneath the insert is generous storage.
The main cabin has settee berths port and starboard. The berths slide inboard, and together with alcove foot extensions they form two more adult-size berths. Beneath these extensions and behind the back cushions you will find additional storage. Aft of the port berth is a hanging locker with deep shelving and counter top, followed by an enclosed head area.
The head includes a marine toilet composting toilet. There is also a vanity with a sink and hot and cold pressure water. There is an opening port in the head and numerous lockers for storage.
Opposite to starboard is the well-appointed galley. The deep sink is forward, served by hot and cold pressure water. The two-burner propane stove with an oven is located between the sink and the refrigerated ice box. The large, thickly insulated ice box, which has a Sea Frost refrigeration system, is aft. An opening port offers good ventilation.
Behind the companionway ladder is the AC & DC electrical panels, engine access door, VHF radio, and storage bin for tools, etc.
Six bronze portholes with screens ensure that the cabin is always bright and well-ventilated. Interior lighting includes overhead fixtures, reading lights above settees and in the V-berth. The cabin sole is teak and holly.
- Handcrafted teak interior with a satin finish
- Solid teak and holly sole
- Main cabin settees convert to berths port and starboard
- Spacious storage lockers and cabinets
- Hanging locker and cabinet aft to port
- Teak drop leaf table (not currently installed)
- Forward cabin V-berth with storage port, starboard and below
- Galley area to starboard includes a stainless steel sink
- Water pressure
- Gimbaled LP gas stainless steel stove with oven
- Sea Frost 12V refigerator
- Dish racks with ample additional storage
- Large Head to Port at Base of Companionway
- Composting Toilet
Sails & Rigging
- Mainsail by Ullman Sails 2009
- Staysail by Ullman Sails 2009
- Yankee by Housley Sails 2006
- Two (2) Lewmar #42 Self-Tailing Two Speed Primary Winches
- Two (2) Lewmar #8 Secondary Winches
- Keel stepped mast with single spreaders
- Aluminum mast, main boom, and staysail boom
- Stainless steel wire standing rigging
- Harken roller furling system for headsail
- Double headstays
- Self-tending staysail boom and traveler with track mounted on coach roof
- Main boom traveler on bridge deck
- Genoa tracks on toe rails with adjustable blocks
- Running rigging
- Dyneema Lifelines
Electronics
- Datamarine Depth, Speed & Wind Gauges
- Standard Horizon VHF Radio
- Garmin GPS 546 Chartplotter
- Raymarine Autohelm ST3000 Wheel Autopilot
Electrical
- Upgraded Balmar Alternator w/ Balmar MC-614 External Regulator
- Xantrex LinkPro Battery Monitor
- Inverter
- AGM House & Start Batteries
- Battery Charger
- 110v Outlets Throughout Interior
Mechanical & Plumbing
- SeaFrost 12V Refrigeration
- Force10 Propane Cabin Heater
- Hille Propane Marine Stove
- Two 10lb Propane Tanks
- Jabsco Water Puppy Fresh Water Pump
- Manual Fresh Water Hand Pump
- Manual Salt Water Hand Pump
- Electric Oil Change Pump
- Water Heater
- Manual Bilge Pump
- Electric Bilge Pump
Hull & Deck
- One piece molded fiberglass hull
- Hand laid mat and woven roving with additional reinforcements
- Fiberglass decks cored in balsa
- Well thought out deck hardware and attachment points
- Internal flange hull-to-deck joint
- Dodger and cockpit bimini frames (no canvas)
- Six bronze opening screened ports
- Two opening hatches
- Bow and stern pulpits
- Rocna 15kg anchor w/ 150' Chain & 150' Rode
- Rocna 10kg anchor w/30' Chain & 270' Rode
Listing MLS by Yachtr.com
