Shoestring, perhaps the most renowned Shearwater 39 of all, is reluctantly up for sale, her current owner no longer able to do her justice. Fitted out and launched in 2002 by Peter Muzik, a well known South African sailing character, for the specific purpose of completing a circumnavigation, she was an ideal choice for the task ahead. Classically beautiful lines disguise a fast, stable, and smooth-riding hull form, providing a wonderful platform for covering large distances in safety and comfort. Her clipper bow keeps her decks dry and her optional long bowsprit creates a larger foretriangle for greater sail options. Likewise, the masthead inner forestay provides better sail options with the added bonus of a more securely supported mast. An inner-inner forestay up to the top spreaders takes her storm jib, both inner stays using Highfield levers for deck quick-detachment. Twin backstays, running backstays, a twin-spreader high duty Sparcraft mast, round off a vessel fit-for-purpose. Built to Lloyds specifications for blue-water sailing, this was exactly her raison d’etré. Solo sailing presents no shortcomings, with her direct-to-rudder windvane steering system, powerful autopilot, and well equipped cockpit. Lewmar 56st primary winches make sail trimming a breeze; everything about this yacht has been well-considered. This is no pampered yacht, being well exercised and pushed to made up for her current owner’s shortcomings, which she has always done unfailingly. Her price reflects the fact that a spruce-up would not go unappreciated. All new electronics in 2016/7 and repowered with a Yanmar 3JH40 in 2018(currently with a tad over 300hrs) mean major expenses are avoided. If easy shorthanded sailing, plus owning the most beautiful yacht in the marina/anchorage tick your boxes, then Shoestring deserves your serious consideration.