ShearWater 39 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

The Shearwater 39 is a quintessential example of the "South African school" of yacht design, representing a bridge between the traditional heavy-displacement cruisers of the mid-20th century and the more performance-oriented offshore vessels of the modern era. Commissioned by Gerfried Nebe and designed by the prolific Dudley Dix Yacht Design, the boat was born from the wooden hull of "Gabriel," which served as the plug for the subsequent glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) production run. This origin story is critical to understanding the vessel's character; the Shearwater 39 retains the robust, overbuilt feel of a custom timber yacht while benefiting from the consistency and maintenance ease of a production fiberglass hull. Built by Nebe Boatworks in Hout Bay, approximately 27 units were completed, many of which were specifically outfitted for high-latitude or transoceanic voyaging.