Designed by the legendary firm Sparkman & Stephens in 1962, this classic 30-footer represents American yacht design at its finest during sailing's golden era. Cape Cod Shipbuilding constructed 220 hulls of this fiberglass sloop, creating a relatively exclusive class that has maintained its prestige for over six decades. The Shields excels as a sophisticated day sailor and weekend cruiser, perfectly suited for coastal waters and protected bays. Its fractional sloop rig and moderate sail area make it manageable for experienced sailors while still providing spirited performance. The substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio of 67% creates exceptional stability, while the fin keel configuration offers responsive handling and decent pointing ability. With a comfort ratio of 25.88, this design prioritizes seaworthiness over speed, making it ideal for sailors who appreciate traditional sailing qualities. The low capsize screening value of 1.55 indicates excellent stability characteristics, reflecting Sparkman & Stephens' reputation for creating safe, well-balanced designs. Originally conceived as a one-design racer, the Shields has evolved into a cherished classic that appeals to sailors seeking timeless elegance combined with proven seaworthiness. Its manageable size and docile handling characteristics make it particularly attractive for coastal cruising and club racing.
About this estimate ▾
- Based on asking prices — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition, year, location, and included equipment are not factored in.
- Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering.
- See our full analysis: What Thousands of Sailboat Listings Tell Us About Used Boat Prices.
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
What is the Shields's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Shields has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 20.88. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Shields's comfort ratio?
The Shields has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 25.88. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Shields safe for offshore sailing?
The Shields has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.55. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Shields?
The theoretical hull speed of the Shields is 5.99 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Shields weigh?
The Shields has a displacement of 4,600.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 30.21 ft.
How much does a used Shields cost?
Based on 1 recent market listings, used Shields sailboats typically sell for between $5,500 and $5,500, with a median asking price of $5,500. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Shields?
The Shields was designed by Sparkman & Stephens, first built in 1962.