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Shields
Designer: Sparkman & Stephens  ·  Builder: Cape Cod Shipbuilding (Usa)  ·  First built: 1962
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About the Shields

Designed by the legendary firm Sparkman & Stephens in 1962, this classic 30-footer represents American yacht design at its finest during sailing's golden era. Cape Cod Shipbuilding constructed 220 hulls of this fiberglass sloop, creating a relatively exclusive class that has maintained its prestige for over six decades. The Shields excels as a sophisticated day sailor and weekend cruiser, perfectly suited for coastal waters and protected bays. Its fractional sloop rig and moderate sail area make it manageable for experienced sailors while still providing spirited performance. The substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio of 67% creates exceptional stability, while the fin keel configuration offers responsive handling and decent pointing ability. With a comfort ratio of 25.88, this design prioritizes seaworthiness over speed, making it ideal for sailors who appreciate traditional sailing qualities. The low capsize screening value of 1.55 indicates excellent stability characteristics, reflecting Sparkman & Stephens' reputation for creating safe, well-balanced designs. Originally conceived as a one-design racer, the Shields has evolved into a cherished classic that appeals to sailors seeking timeless elegance combined with proven seaworthiness. Its manageable size and docile handling characteristics make it particularly attractive for coastal cruising and club racing.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 30.21 ft / 9.21 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 20.00 ft / 6.10 m
Beam 6.42 ft / 1.96 m
Max Draft 4.75 ft / 1.45 m
Displacement 4,600.00 lb / 2,087 kg
Ballast 3,080.00 lb / 1,397 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 360.00 ft² / 33.45 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Sparkman & Stephens
Builder Cape Cod Shipbuilding (USA)
First Built 1962
Number Built 220
Associations Shields Class Sailing Association
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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
 176
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
 20.88
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
 66.96
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
 256.7
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
 25.88
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
 1.55
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. 5.99 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
 2.46
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. 458.79 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. 21.04
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 29.88 ft / 9.11 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 9.33 ft / 2.84 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 33.38 ft / 10.17 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.38 ft / 4.08 m
SA Fore 139.39 ft² / 12.95 m²
SA Main 223.31 ft² / 20.75 m²
SA Total (100%) 362.70 ft² / 33.70 m²
Est. Forestay Length 31.30 ft / 9.54 m
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