A Pictorial History of Shannon Yachts from 1975

Shannon Yachts was founded by Walt Schulz in Bristol, RI in 1975 with the intent to design and build offshore yachts to the highest quality standards. Over the years, Shannons have earned an International reputation for quality construction and offshore integrity. Shannons have logged over a million bluewater miles, including an impressive list of circumnavigations and many transoceanic passages, mostly by husband and wife teams. Every major harbor in the world has been visited by a Shannon. Shannon's boatbuilding experience is an unbroken, evolutionary chain from Shannon 38#1 built back in 1975 to the present day. During every week since 1975, there always has been a new Shannon being constructed under Walt Schulz's personal direction. No company building semi-custom yachts anywhere can demonstrate comparable passagemaking records, a stable management team and a consistent uncompromised standard of quality for over twenty five years.


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Copyright © 2006 -2007 Shannon Yachts.


Walter Schulz is the founder and President of Shannon Yachts. In February of 1975, he moved to Rhode Island and started Shannon to build quality yachts of his own design. As a hands-on President, Schulz oversees engineering and production at Shannon, and participates in the company’s sales, IT, marketing, accounting, and administration. Schulz is acknowledged in the marine industry for producing yachts of consistently high quality over three decades, and is recognized as a design and engineering leader and innovator. All Shannon models from 28 to 53 feet have been designed by Schulz. He has received four marine-related U.S. Patents for his design work. Schulz attended New York University, Parsons School of Design, and Montclair State University, earning a Master of Fine Arts degree. Prior to founding Shannon, Schulz worked in advertising /public relations, and managed marinas in the Mamaroneck, NY area specializing in boat manufacturers’ warranty support. Schulz has written numerous articles that have been published in various yachting magazines over the years, and he has spoken before many trade, professional, and community agencies. He is currently writing a book about his favorite subject, boats, that is scheduled to be published in 2008.

According to Ferenc Mate in The World’s Best Sailboats, Vol. II, “Walter Schulz is the last of a wonderful breed- the complete boatbuilder. He designs boats … and then builds(them)-always interesting and invariably one of the world’s best yachts.”

William Ramos is Vice President of Shannon Yachts. A native of Bristol, RI; he started out as a part-time fiberglass production worker for Walter Schulz in 1975. After completing school, his full time employment with Shannon began in 1978. He is a graduate of Brown University and Cornell Law School, and is admitted to practice law before the RI and U.S. District Court Bars. He is responsible for Shannon’s sales and marketing, purchasing, administration, and customer service. During his tenure at Shannon, Ramos personally has sold over $100 million in new and brokerage yachts, and has helped to create Shannon’s image as one of the world’s premier yacht builders. He was one of leaders of the successful marine industry efforts to lobby Washington, DC to repeal the federal yacht luxury tax, which decimated boatbuilders in the early 1990’s. Ramos is knowledgeable and experienced in all aspect of yacht sales, construction, service, and operations.
Thomas Quinlan is a graduate of Diman Vocational School, Fall River, MA; and started his career as a carpenter/shipwright in the marine industry at Alden/Freedom Yachts. Quinlan has been employed at Shannon Yachts since 1979. He was promoted to cabinet shop foreman, Production Manager, and then Vice President in charge of all aspects of construction and personnel at Shannon. His responsibilities include bringing to reality the creations of Walter Schulz, as well as scheduling Shannon’s manpower and material needs on a day-to-day basis, and supervising the maintenance of the 26,000 square foot production facility and extensive yacht construction equipment and tools. Quinlan also interfaces with all Shannon owners during the construction process, gathering the information necessary for work change orders. He also is Shannon’s best woodworker, personally creating the most detailed cabinetry to finish each yacht.
Erin Schulz is Walt Schulz’s eldest daughter and has literally grown up on Shannons since Hull Number 1 was launched the same summer she was born in 1975 and named the “Lady Erin”. She assists with Shannon’s brokerage division and sales of the Shannon megayacht tenders. An accomplished blue-water sailor and published author, Erin holds degrees in history and international affairs from Fordham University and American University. She shares her father’s love of antique yachts and is an active member of the Classic Yacht Association.