Although every Shannon appeals to traditionalists from the waterline up, the timeless classic look is complimented by a yacht designed and built with the latest technology and material. As an example, Shannon has been using isophthalic gel coat since 1978, long before the "blistering" problems of production boats became public. Shannon pioneered composite core linear foam and biaxial laminate construction in 1981 to increase strength while reducing weight. Shannon removed all balsa wood coring on decks in 1984 and replaced balsa with closed-cell cross linked PVC foam to prevent delamination and rot from potential water migration. In 1986, Shannon began to use vinylester resin and epoxy undercoating for additional hull protection. The innovative Shannon “Scutter” and “Sketch” rigs were developed in 1994 to improve performance while reducing the work load. And, since 2002, Shannon hulls have been reinforced with Kevlar and carbon hybrid laminates in areas subject to excessive impact in grounding situations. Windows on all Shannon wheelhouses since 2009 are armor plate heat tempered glass with ceramic coated edges permanently installed to the deck with Space Age adhesives rather than aluminum framed safety glass windows that can flex and fail in big seas. Every proven innovation in electric systems from AGM batteries to galvanic isolators to “smart” chargers and inverters are incorporated into all new Shannons. While many builders especially those in the Far East are still building boats with 1980’s technology, Shannon strives to incorporate the latest and greatest in equipment and systems -- always with the proviso that everything that goes into a Shannon has been proven to stand the harsh test of the open ocean.

Sailing and powering performance is a high priority at Shannon. Contemporary racer/cruisers may look fast, but their focus on rating rules and their light weight makes them ill-suited for short-handed, long distance offshore cruising. Walt Schulz's proven Scutter and Sketch rigs accommodate a wide range of sea and wind conditions. Absolute speed in all wind and sea conditions is important, and Shannons have accumulated an impressive list of offshore racing wins and swift passages. These ocean sailing records were achieved with the comfort, safety and peace of mind known only by Shannon owners.