Variations & Configurations
While the core design remained consistent, the Shearwater 39 was built in a surprisingly wide array of materials and layouts, reflecting its semi-custom nature. The first hull, named Gabriel, was constructed from wood and served as the plug for the glass-reinforced plastic production molds. Consequently, while the majority of the estimated twenty to twenty-seven units built by Nebe Boatworks are solid glass-reinforced plastic laminates below the waterline with cored decks, a small number were constructed using cold-molded wood or aluminum.
In terms of rigs, the standard design is a powerful, double-spreader Marconi cutter, which offers a highly versatile sail plan for changing ocean conditions. However, a few custom hulls feature highly distinct setups, including a gaff-schooner rig inspired by classic traditionalists. The interior configurations also diverged into two main templates. Layout A focuses on privacy for two couples, featuring a forward V-berth, a midships head compartment, a central saloon with opposing settees, and an aft quarter-berth or single cabin. Layout B rearranges the layout to offer a full-width owner's aft stateroom with direct cockpit access, dedicating the forward portion to guest accommodations and a separate head. Headroom is excellent throughout, originally drawn at over six and a half feet for aluminum hulls built for tall owners, and settled at a generous six feet three inches in the glass-reinforced plastic production runs.
Sailing Performance & Handling
With a displacement of 21,605 pounds and an external bolt-on lead ballast of 8,377 pounds, the Shearwater 39 possesses a healthy ballast-to-displacement ratio of 38.77 percent. This high ratio translates into a stiff, powerful yacht that stands up beautifully to its canvas when the wind pipes up. Its capsize screening ratio of 1.84 is well below the conservative limit of 2.0, confirming its excellent ultimate stability and suitability for the unforgiving waters of the Southern Ocean, where Dudley Dix did much of his development.
Under sail, the boat has a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 17.34, which categorizes it as a moderately canvassed cruiser. In light air, it is no racer, but once the breeze fills in past ten knots, the NACA-foil keel and modern underbody allow it to slide along with surprising efficiency. The fine entry of the hull and the flared clipper bow cut through head seas cleanly, minimizing pounding by presenting curved U-shaped forward sections rather than flat V-sections. Downwind, the combination of V-shaped stern sections, a skeg-hung rudder, and a well-balanced center of effort ensures that the vessel tracks straight and true, requiring very little effort from an autopilot or windvane steering system. It handles like a much larger, heavier boat in terms of motion comfort, yet remains responsive and nimble at the helm.
Market Snapshot & Economics
Because the Shearwater 39 was produced in a politically isolated South Africa during the 1990s, and because Nebe Boatworks ceased operations in the mid-1990s, the boat remains a rare gem on the international brokerage market. It is highly valued by experienced offshore sailors who recognize the pedigree of Dudley Dix’s blue-water cruisers. Consequently, the boat commands a steady value on the used market, rarely suffering the steep depreciation seen in mass-production coastal cruisers of the same era.
Prospective buyers should note that because some hulls were sold as bare shells for amateur completion, the quality of the interior woodwork, electrical systems, and plumbing can vary significantly from unit to unit. Factory-finished hulls built entirely by Nebe Boatworks or custom-finished by professional yards command a substantial premium. Refit economics must be weighed carefully: while the heavy-duty hull and deck of a glass-reinforced plastic Shearwater 39 are nearly indestructible, a vessel of this age will inevitably require updates to its aging navigation electronics, standing rigging, and potentially its diesel engine.
Known Issues & Triage
Despite its overbuilt construction, the Shearwater 39 has a few documented areas that require careful triage during a pre-purchase survey. The primary concern on glass-reinforced plastic models is the deck core. Nebe Boatworks utilized balsa or plywood cores in the deck laminate to achieve stiffness without excess weight. Over decades, neglected sealant around the chainplates, stanchion bases, or windlass can allow moisture to penetrate the core, leading to localized rot. A thorough sounding with a fiberglass hammer and moisture-meter readings are essential.
The stainless steel chainplates are through-bolted to the bulkheads. Because these boats are designed for blue-water voyaging, they are subject to heavy, repetitive stress, and failing deck seals can cause crevice corrosion in hidden areas of the chainplates. These should ideally be pulled and inspected or replaced if they are original. Additionally, on transom-hung rudder models, the heavy-duty gudgeons and pintles must be checked for play or hairline cracks, as they bear the full load of the rudder in heavy following seas. For owner-finished hulls, a comprehensive marine survey must pay special attention to the routing of electrical wiring and the mechanical integrity of bulkhead bonding.
Modernization & Upgrades
Veteran owners of the Shearwater 39 often focus their refit budgets on upgrading the vessel's electrical and sailing systems to modern blue-water standards. Given the generous layout and deep lockers, many owners have successfully replaced heavy lead-acid house batteries with modern lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) banks, drastically increasing their off-grid energy capacity without adding weight. This is often paired with the installation of high-efficiency solar arrays mounted on a custom stern arch or integrated into a heavy-duty bimini.
In terms of propulsion, the original diesel engines—typically Yanmar or similar robust marine diesels in the 47 horsepower range—are often rebuilt or repowered with modern, cleaner-running engines. Rigging upgrades are also common, with many single-handed or double-handed sailors retrofitting self-tacking staysail tracks and top-down furling systems for asymmetrical spinnakers, making the cutter rig even easier to manage short-handed.
The Verdict
The Shearwater 39 remains an outstanding option for the serious cruiser who values seakindliness, hull strength, and timeless aesthetics over modern interior volume and marina-oriented amenities. It is a true sailor’s boat, born of the rugged South African coast, capable of carrying its crew safely through the worst ocean weather. While its semi-custom nature requires buyers to be diligent during surveys, those who find a well-maintained or thoughtfully upgraded model will own a vessel that turns heads in every port and inspires absolute confidence at sea.
- Outstanding offshore pedigree and motion comfort in heavy weather
- Robust construction with a thick hull and high-quality lead ballast
- Beautiful, classic aesthetics that stand the test of time
- Highly versatile cutter rig that is easily managed by a short-handed crew
- Excellent headroom and seakindly interior layout with plenty of handholds
- Limited production run makes finding one on the brokerage market difficult
- Wide variation in build quality due to some hulls being owner-finished
- Potential for moisture ingress and rot in cored decks if maintenance was neglected
- Lacks the modern "sugar scoop" stern for easy boarding and swimming
- Heavier displacement and conservative underbody limit performance in very light air
