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Shannon 50

Designer: Walter Schutz  ·  Builder: Shannon Yachts (Usa)  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Shannon 50

Built by Shannon Yachts beginning in 1982, this Walter Schutz-designed 51-footer represents serious bluewater cruising capability wrapped in traditional styling. The staysail ketch rig configuration provides excellent sail handling options for shorthanded crews, while the substantial 39,000-pound displacement and deep 7-foot draft deliver the stability and sea-kindly motion that offshore passages demand. Shannon's reputation for meticulous fiberglass construction and attention to detail shines through in this model, which features the builder's characteristic heavy layup schedule and quality joinery work. The generous beam of 14.25 feet creates spacious accommodations below, while the moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio of 17.14 suggests this yacht prioritizes comfort and control over pure speed. With a comfort ratio of 38.76, the Shannon 50 falls squarely into the category of motion-comfortable cruising boats designed for extended voyaging. The capsize screening value of 1.68 indicates good stability characteristics for ocean crossings. The centerboard-equipped keel configuration offers draft flexibility for exploring shallow anchorages while maintaining the deep-water performance serious cruisers expect. This is ultimately a yacht built for those who value seaworthiness and craftsmanship over racing performance.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 50.92 ft / 15.52 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 42.75 ft / 13.03 m
Beam 14.25 ft / 4.34 m
Max Draft 7.00 ft / 2.13 m
Min Draft 5.67 ft / 1.73 m
Displacement 39,000.00 lb / 17,690 kg
Ballast 15,500.00 lb / 7,031 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 1,227.00 ft² / 113.99 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Staysail Ketch
Construction FG
Designer Walter Schutz
Builder Shannon Yachts (USA)
First Built 1982
Related Sailboats Valiant 50 · Little Harbor 50 · Tatoosh 51 · Bristol 51 · Nauticat 52
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 117
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 17.14
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 39.74
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 222.85
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 38.76
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 1.68
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 8.76 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 2.2
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 2,176.69 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 14.79
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 56.50 ft / 17.22 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 21.00 ft / 6.40 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 50.75 ft / 15.47 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 18.33 ft / 5.59 m
SA Fore 593.25 ft² / 55.11 m²
SA Main 465.12 ft² / 43.21 m²
SA Total (100%) 1,058.37 ft² / 98.33 m²
Est. Forestay Length 60.28 ft / 18.37 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 85
Fuel Capacity 150 gals / 568 L
Water Capacity 300 gals / 1,136 L
How It Compares

vs. Bristol 51, Little Harbor 50, Nauticat 52, Tatoosh 51, Valiant 50

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Shannon 50 ★
50.9 ft
Bristol 51
51.1 ft
Little Harbor 50
50.8 ft
Nauticat 52
51.2 ft
Tatoosh 51
50.6 ft
Valiant 50
50.7 ft
LWL
Shannon 50 ★
42.8 ft
Bristol 51
42.0 ft
Little Harbor 50
42.2 ft
Nauticat 52
39.6 ft
Tatoosh 51
42.1 ft
Valiant 50
40.3 ft
Beam
Shannon 50 ★
14.3 ft
Bristol 51
15.2 ft
Little Harbor 50
15.1 ft
Nauticat 52
15.0 ft
Tatoosh 51
15.4 ft
Valiant 50
13.8 ft
Displacement
Shannon 50 ★
39 lbs
Bristol 51
43 lbs
Little Harbor 50
43 lbs
Nauticat 52
56 lbs
Tatoosh 51
44 lbs
Valiant 50
35 lbs
Ballast
Shannon 50 ★
15 lbs
Bristol 51
19 lbs
Little Harbor 50
18 lbs
Nauticat 52
15 lbs
Tatoosh 51
14 lbs
Valiant 50
11 lbs
Sail Area
Shannon 50 ★
1 sq ft
Bristol 51
—
Little Harbor 50
1 sq ft
Nauticat 52
—
Tatoosh 51
1 sq ft
Valiant 50
—
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Shannon 50 ★
117 s/nm
Bristol 51
69 s/nm
Little Harbor 50
69 s/nm
Nauticat 52
—
Tatoosh 51
120 s/nm
Valiant 50
102 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Shannon 50 ★
17.1
Bristol 51
—
Little Harbor 50
16.3
Nauticat 52
—
Tatoosh 51
15.7
Valiant 50
—
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Shannon 50 ★
39.7 %
Bristol 51
43.5 %
Little Harbor 50
—
Nauticat 52
27.1 %
Tatoosh 51
—
Valiant 50
31.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Shannon 50 ★
38.8
Bristol 51
—
Little Harbor 50
40.2
Nauticat 52
—
Tatoosh 51
39.9
Valiant 50
—
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Shannon 50 ★
1.68
Bristol 51
—
Little Harbor 50
1.72
Nauticat 52
—
Tatoosh 51
1.75
Valiant 50
—
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Shannon 50 ★
222
Bristol 51
263
Little Harbor 50
—
Nauticat 52
403
Tatoosh 51
—
Valiant 50
243
Hull Speed
Shannon 50 ★
8.8 kts
Bristol 51
—
Little Harbor 50
8.7 kts
Nauticat 52
—
Tatoosh 51
8.7 kts
Valiant 50
—
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Shannon 50 ★
2.2
Bristol 51
—
Little Harbor 50
2.0
Nauticat 52
—
Tatoosh 51
—
Valiant 50
—
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