Shannon 28 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Drawing Diagram

Builder drawing

Hull type

Monohull · fin

Rig

Cutter

LOA

28' · 8.53 m

Displ.

9,300 lbs · 4,218 kg

First year

1978

The Shannon 28 represents a definitive era in American yacht building, where the goal was to condense the seaworthiness and craftsmanship of a bluewater circumnavigator into a hull manageable by a singlehanded sailor or a couple. Introduced in 1978 and designed by Walter Schulz, the Shannon 28 was born from the success of the Shannon 38, aiming to provide the same "nocompromise" construction standards in a smaller, more affordable package. Unlike many 28footers of its time that were designed for coastal hopping or lake racing, the Shannon 28 was engineered for the rigors of the open ocean. According to the Shannon Yachts historical archives, the model was built with a handlaid fiberglass hull and a onepiece deck, bonded with a rigorous hulltodeck joint that has become a hallmark of the brand's offshore integrity. Approximately 60 units were produced until 1987, and they remain highly sought after by "purist" cruisers who value traditional aesthetics—such as the heavy use of teak, bronze portlights, and a graceful shear line—over modern interior volume.