History

Designed by Geerd Hendel STRING OF PEARLS was built in 1957 in Camden, Maine by Malcolm Brewer, the preeminent wooden boat builder of his time.  Named PEARL NECKLACE, the 71 ft. yacht was a gift to the wife of the original owner who had requested a simple strand of pearls for her birthday.  The owner drove PT boats in World War II so the yacht was equipped with four engines. She was built for speed and raced neighbor Jack Kennedy's sportfishing boat Marlin on Cape Cod Bay as well as the Nantucket Ferry. She was at one time the fastest boat in New England.  

Built of mahogany and teak STRING OF PEARLS is 71 feet long, 16 feet wide, and displaces 40 tons, yet she can achieve a speed of 24 knots.  She is a Coast Guard Inspected Vessel and is certified to carry 40 guests. Every year she is subjected to extremely thorough safety inspections.

After the original owner sold the boat, it was purchased and restored in Newport, Rhode Island, and chartered throughout New England for 21 years.  Numerous celebrities such as Bruce Springsteen, Brad Pitt, Pierce Brosnan, Harrison Ford, many statesmen, and a couple of princesses have enjoyed the boat over the years.

In 2004 a five-star resort on the Georgia coast invited the boat to an exclusive charter arrangement.  14 years later she moved to Morningstar Marina and began to charter all the inland waters around St. Simons Island and the beautiful Golden Isles.

In 2019 Captain Matthew Sligh saw the boat and decided to purchase it. The transition was completed in early summer 2019, and Captain Sligh and his family began charter operations. They plan on continuing the restoration and chartering String of Pearls around Saint Simons for many years to come.

In winter 2021-2022 String of Pearls had extensive renovations above and below the waterline to ensure future decades of safe operation. This was completed at the world-famous Huckins Yacht Corporation in Jacksonville, FL. The craftsmen there did great work and String of Pearls returned to Saint Simons in April 2022 safe and sound and as solid as ever.

In the 2023-2024 time frame, we have added Paul Rogers to our staff who is a Master Woodworker and Yacht Expert. Paul has been hard at work on exterior and interior projects and has made great improvements to the Salon, the brightwork, and the hatches. He has also done some very technical repairs that have been so important and beneficial. Thanks to Paul and to Captain Matthew (son) we have made good progress on the restoration.