SHENANDOAH OF SARK - a broker's view.

You'd expect me to start with the spec but let's start with the obvious: she is possibly the most beautiful sailing yacht afloat today. Whether you're interested in sailing or not, it's impossible to look at this yacht and not be emotionally stirred by what you see.

She's absolutely bursting with character and when you step on board you can sense the atmosphere change. There's a feeling of security, of continuity. It's hard to describe but you feel connected to the DNA of superyachting, this genuinely is where it all began.

She inspires passion and essentially that's why she's still afloat today. She was delivered in 1902 so she has survived two World Wars and several periods of neglect. But the sheer glamour of this yacht means someone always falls in love and saves her.

Today she is in exquisite condition because so much love and care has been lavished on her. It's been done by experts with sensitivity, and it's won a restoration award. She has modern systems, AV and IT, navigation, galley, air conditioning, but it doesn't detract from her originality.

She's had such a colourful history too, from financiers and industrialists, governments and noblemen to royalty and Hollywood's finest. Vogue commissioned a shoot on board, and you'll also see her in Sir Rod Stewart's 'What am I gonna do' video. Quite the star.

Now she's ready to start a new chapter in her storied life. She's MCA-coded so she can operate commercially with 10 guests in four cabins and plenty of toys, she's taken centre-stage at regattas to satisfy competitive urges and two Lugger diesels give her a range of 3,250nm under power.

I imagine they will collect rare and beautiful objects, like antiquities, classic cars, art, jewellery, bloodstock, anything that inspires wonder for having survived the ravages of time purely due to their desirability.

It will be someone with a passion for authenticity, someone who admires exceptional craftsmanship and has an appreciation of the significance of this yacht as a historical entity.

SHENANDOAH OF SARK is certainly a heritage yacht but she's no museum exhibit. She has been around the world countless times, sailed every sea, and now she's ready to go again with a new owner.

She's asking EUR 9,900,000 and that buys you the privilege of being her custodian for as long as you wish, cherishing her so she can sail on into the next generation, and the next, and the next.

She's lying in Palma where I will be absolutely delighted to get on board again and show you around. I can also introduce you to Captain Russell who has just celebrated 10 years as her master.

To find out more about SHENANDOAH OF SARK or to arrange a tour, please contact Jamie through the enquiries page.

Try before you buy? Charter her in the West Mediterranean from EUR 110,000 per week. Enquire now.