Shannon 53 HPS (Hybrid Power Sailer)

Shannon designer Walt Shultz built his reputation with traditional offshore cruisers. Shannon has been building Shultz’s designs since 1975 and many of those boats have circumnavigated. But Shultz is branching out of the traditional offshore cruiser box. His “Shoal Sailer” design is a wide flat 35-foot coastal cruiser. The accommodations plan is big and comfortable while the boat is also reputed to be able to sail up wind effectively in less than 20 inches of water. More recently he’s filed for a patent for a new offshore cruiser design. In a way, all sailboats that have an engine are hybrid powersailers, but the Shannon 53 HPS is touted as the first motorsailer to maximize both sailing, powering, and accommodations. There are probably some other motorsailer builders who may disagree the “first” part of that statement but that does not take away from the fact that the boat is capable of motorsailing at over 12 knots and have a range under power alone of over 1500 miles while burning less fuel than an similar sized trawler. It’s designed to be handled easily by a cruising couple and be built with as many as four sleeping cabins. Hull number 1 is under construction now and due to launch early next year. For more information check out www.shannonyachts.com

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