William Shaw (June 9, 1926 – August 20, 2006) was an American-born yacht designer known for his long tenure at Pearson Yachts as their Chief Naval Architect.New York Times Jan 15, 1967New York Times Jan 23, 1970
Biography Shaw was born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1926 and graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy of Kings Point, NY in 1947. He went on to serve in the US Navy during the Korean War.
After completing his tenure in the Navy, Bill was able to pursue his dream of yacht design. He joined the renowned firm of Sparkman & Stephens Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (S&S) in October 1952 as a designer. In 1961, he became a manager of Products of Asia, and was the chief designer of the America's Cup defender Columbia.
Shaw joined Pearson Yachts in 1964 as Chief Architect, eventually running the entire Pearson Yachts Division of Grumman. During his tenure, he and his team designed over 50 different sailboats and power boats. He spoke in 1999 with Steve Mitchell for Good Old Boat regarding his time at Pearson:
Tom Hazelhurst remarked, "Under Bill's tutelage, they built damn good boats. I'm not saying that because I was their advertising man, but because I bought two of their boats. The boats just don't break."
Shaw died of complications of Alzheimer's disease on August 20, 2006. Shaw has had a lasting impact on the sailing community. The thousands of boats still sailing, some over 50 years old, are a testament to his design expertise. During his tenure at Pearson Yachts he received numerous awards, and Pearson became a world-renowned leader in the boatbuilding industry for quality fiberglass cruising and racing sailboats.
Sailboat designs +DesignsNAME/TYPE Length(ft/m) First BuiltShaw 24 23.92' / 7.29m 1957Dolphin 24 24.16' / 7.36m 1959Nutmeg 24 24.50' / 7.47m 1964Hughes 24 24.50' / 7.47m 1966Lark 24 24.00' / 7.32m 1966Coaster 30 30.00' / 9.14m 1966Wanderer 30 30.25' / 9.22m 1966Pearson 24 23.50' / 7.16m 1967Renegade 27 27.17' / 8.28m 1967Pearson 22 22.25' / 6.78m 1968Pearson 35 35.00' / 10.67m 1968Grumman Flyer 16.16' / 4.93m 1968Pearson 43 42.75' / 13.03m 1969Pearson 300 30.25' / 9.22m 1969Pearson 33 32.92' / 10.03m 1969Pearson 26 26.17' / 7.98m 1970Pearson 39 39.25' / 11.96m 1970Pearson 30 29.79' / 9.08m 1971Pearson 390 39.00' / 11.89m 1972Pearson 36 36.52' / 11.13m 1972Pearson 10M 33.04' / 10.07m 1973Pearson 28 28.00' / 8.53m 1975Pearson 419 41.75' / 12.73m 1975Pearson 26 Weekender 26.17' / 7.98m 1975Pearson 323 32.25' / 9.83m 1976Pearson 365 Ketch 36.42' / 11.10m 1976Pearson 365 36.42' / 11.10m 1976Pearson 31 31.00' / 9.45m 1977Pearson 26 One-Design 26.17' / 7.98m 1978Pearson 36 Pilot House 36.42' / 11.10m 1978Pearson 424 Cutter 42.33' / 12.90m 1978Pearson 40 39.92' / 12.17m 1979Pearson 23 23.00' / 7.01m 1979Pearson 32 31.75' / 9.68m 1979Pearson 530 53.00' / 16.15m 1981Pearson 36 Cutter 36.42' / 11.10m 1981Pearson 367 36.42' / 11.10m 1981Pearson 424 Ketch 42.33' / 12.90m 1981Flyer 29.92' / 9.12m 1981Pearson 37 36.92' / 11.25m 1982Pearson 422 42.16' / 12.85m 1982Pearson 23C 23.00' / 7.01m 1983Pearson 303 30.29' / 9.23m 1983Pearson 34 33.78' / 10.30m 1983Pearson 385 38.25' / 11.66m 1984Pearson 386 38.25' / 11.66m 1984Pearson 36-2 36.50' / 11.13m 1985Pearson 33-2 32.50' / 9.91m 1985Pearson 28-2 28.46' / 8.67m 1985Pearson 39-2 39.25' / 11.96m 1986Pearson 31-2 30.67' / 9.35m 1987Pearson 37-2 37.42' / 11.41m 1988Pearson 27 26.92' / 8.21m 1988Pearson 34-2 34.50' / 10.52m 1989Pearson 38 37.50' / 11.43m 1989
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