Overview
The Shannon 43 is a Walter Schulz cruiser built by Shannon Yachts in Bristol, Rhode Island, from the mid-1980s, with a keel and centerboard that let it draw under five feet. Shannon later built a pilothouse version, the Shannon Pilot 43, on the same hull.
Design and Construction
The underbody is a longish fin with a cutaway forefoot and a centerboard, drawing 4 ft 10 in with the board up and 8 ft 7 in with it down; a fixed-keel version drew 6 ft 6 in. Displacement is about 27,000 lb with 10,000 lb of ballast.
Under Sail
Most boats are staysail ketches, and cutter-rigged boats also exist. Neal calls Shannons traditional and slow.
Buyers Notes
Check the deck (see Known Issues) and the centerboard, its pendant and its trunk. The shoal draft with the board up suits the Intracoastal Waterway.
