William H. "Bill" Shaw - Sailboat Designer | Complete Boat Designs Portfolio

William H. "Bill" Shaw

William Harold "Bill" Shaw (June 9, 1926 – August 20, 2006) was a pioneering American naval architect renowned for his influential role in the transition to fiberglass sailboat construction, particularly as the chief designer and later general manager of Pearson Yachts from 1964 to 1991. Over his 40-year career, Shaw designed more than 50 sailboats and powerboats, emphasizing safe, family-oriented racer-cruisers that combined seaworthiness, performance, and affordability—revolutionizing the industry during the post-WWII boating boom. His conservative yet innovative approach prioritized reliability over radical experimentation, earning him accolades as a "master of the practical yacht" and leaving a legacy of thousands of durable vessels still in use today.

BOATS DESIGNED BY: WILLIAM H. "BILL" SHAW
Name	Designer	Year Built ▼	Length
Pearson 34-2	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1989	34.5 ft
Pearson 37-2	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1988	37.4 ft
Pearson 31-2	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1987	30.7 ft
Pearson 27	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1986	26.9 ft
Pearson 28-2	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1985	28.5 ft
Pearson 386 (Sloop Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1984	38.2 ft
Pearson 386 Ketch	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1984	38.2 ft
Pearson 23c / 23 Cat	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1983	23.0 ft
Pearson 34	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1983	33.8 ft
Pearson 37	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1982	36.9 ft
Pearson 422 (Cutter Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1982	42.2 ft
Pearson 37 (Tall Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1981	36.9 ft
Pearson 367 Cutter (36 Cutter)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1981	36.4 ft
Pearson 530 (Ketch Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1981	53.0 ft
Pearson 36 Cutter	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1981	36.4 ft
Pearson 26 One Design	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1978	26.2 ft
Pearson 23	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1978	23.0 ft
Pearson 40	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1977	39.9 ft
Pearson 365 Sloop	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1976	36.4 ft
Pearson 39 (Sloop Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1976	39.0 ft
Pearson 323	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1976	32.2 ft
Pearson 365 Ketch Rig	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1976	36.4 ft
Pearson 424 (Ketch Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1975	42.5 ft
Pearson 26 Weekender	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1975	26.2 ft
Pearson 419 (Ketch Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1975	41.8 ft
Pearson 419 Sloop	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1975	41.8 ft
Pearson 10m (Tall Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1973	33.0 ft
Pearson 390 (Ketch Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1973	39.0 ft
Pearson 390 (Sloop Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1973	39.0 ft
Pearson 10m	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1973	33.0 ft
Pearson 39 (Yawl Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1970	39.2 ft
Pearson 300	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1969	30.2 ft
Pearson 43 Sloop	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1969	42.8 ft
Pearson 43 Yawl	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1969	42.8 ft
Pearson 35	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1968	35.0 ft
Pearson 22	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1968	22.2 ft
Pearson 35 (Yawl Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1968	35.0 ft
Pearson 27 Renegade	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1967	27.2 ft
Pearson 24	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1967	23.5 ft
Pearson Coaster Yawl	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1966	30.0 ft
Pearson Coaster	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1966	30.0 ft
Pearson Lark	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1966	24.0 ft
Pearson Wanderer 30	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1966	30.2 ft
Tanzer Craft Nutmeg 24	William H. "Bill" Shaw	1964	24.5 ft
Pearson 303	William H. "Bill" Shaw	982	30.3 ft
Pearson 424 Cutter Rig	William H. "Bill" Shaw	197	42.5 ft
Pearson Flyer 30	William H. "Bill" Shaw	n/a	29.9 ft
Pearson 39-2	William H. "Bill" Shaw	n/a	39.0 ft
Shaw 24	William H. "Bill" Shaw	n/a	24.0 ft
Pearson 37 Race	William H. "Bill" Shaw	n/a	37.0 ft
Pearson 385 (Ketch Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	n/a	38.0 ft
Pearson 385 (Sloop And Cutter Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	n/a	38.3 ft
Grumman Flyer	William H. "Bill" Shaw	n/a	16.2 ft
Pearson 422 (Ketch Rig)	William H. "Bill" Shaw	n/a	42.2 ft
Pearson 26	William H. "Bill" Shaw	n/a	26.1 ft