Oyster Life | Winter 2022-23 | Issue 85

ISSUE 85

WINTER 2022-23

OYSTER PALMA REGATTA 2022

One of the highlights of the sailing season, it’s the perfect way to end the summer in the Mediterranean – and, as always, it didn’t disappoint.

HALF A WORLD AWAY

Dreams do come true – 25 Oyster owners share their memories and unmissable highlights from their once-in-a-lifetime 27,000nm circumnavigation.

THE ULTIMATE BLUEWATER CRUISER

90 crews, including five Oyster yachts, set sail on the ARC+ rally. Discover their stories from the ocean passage and one’s plans for a circumnavigation.

OWNER’S STORY OYSTER 595/03

Before they set off on their new Oyster 595 for their third circumnavigation, the Garcias share their experience and top tips for bluewater adventures.

OYSTER ADVENTURES

We are always interested to hear your Oyster adventure stories or ideas for a useful feature article. Please get in touch at community@oysteryachts.com and let’s inspire the Oyster family to go further on their Oysters.

EDITOR James Parsons

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Ed Prichard, Elaine Bunting and Susan Pelling. Oyster Life is produced and published by Oyster Yachts Limited, designed by Both Associates - www.bothassociates.com. The publication is for promotional purposes only, privately circulated and cannot form part of any contract or offer. Views, details and information herein is not necessarily endorsed by the Publisher who will not be held responsible for the consequences of any error or omission. Please note pictures and illustrations are liable to show non-standard equipment.

3 NEWS ROUNDUP

Catch up with everything that’s going on in the world of Oyster. Meet the newest members of the family, hear about the ongoing success of Oyster 495, upcoming events and latest adventures.

21 EVENTS

Why not join us at one of the many exciting events we will host or attend next year. Look out for our 50th anniversary celebrations, summer boat shows and much-anticipated Regattas and Rendezvous events.

36 HOW TO CHOOSE CREW

Hiring crew can be tricky. Elaine Bunting investigates how to find your perfect crew and nurture the best relationship for a happy and enjoyable boat.

58 SILENT POWER

Is it possible to sail across oceans without the background noise of a generator, while still enjoying all the on board comforts of home? Trevor Hill decided it was – see how he successfully rebuilt his Oyster 725’s power systems in preparation for the Oyster World Rally.

60 WORLD CLASS SERVICE

Discover what makes our team and services world class as Dee Addy, Oyster Yachts After Sales Manager, responds to our Q&A.

64 NEW LAUNCHES

There’s a tale behind every new Oyster. Hear the stories behind seven exceptional additions to the Oyster family, with insights from new owners and their project managers.

4 OYSTER PALMA REGATTA 2022

For many Oyster owners, this is one of the highlights of the sailing calendar. It’s the perfect way to end the summer season in the Mediterranean.

12 HALF A WORLD AWAY

Dreams do come true – 25 Oyster owners share their memories and unmissable highlights from their once-in-a-lifetime 27,000nm circumnavigation.

71

THE OYSTER FLEET

For 50 years, Oyster’s fleet has been the benchmark for luxury bluewater cruisers. Discover more about these incredible adventure machines and find out which model ticks all the boxes for you.

OYSTER YACHT CHARTER

AFTER SALES

46 CRUISING GUIDE

22 OWNER’S STORY OYSTER 595/07 JUPITER

Discover the highlights from the recent maiden voyage of Jupiter, a brand-new Oyster 595, skippered by the CEO of Swedish sail clothing brand Sail Racing.

30 THE ULTIMATE LUXURY Richard Hadida reveals his inspiration and vision for Oyster’s new generation, modern and contemporary interiors – the perfect home-from-home.

40 THE ULTIMATE BLUEWATER CRUISE 90 crews, including five Oyster yachts, set sail on the ARC+ rally from Gran Canaria to Grenada. Discover their stories from the ocean passage.

GOTHENBURG ARCHIPELAGO

With over 8,000 islands to explore, our experts share the secrets of this delightful group of islands off the west coast of Sweden.

50 OWNER’S STORY OYSTER 595/03 ALIENA Before setting off on their new Oyster 595 for their third circumnavigation, Miguel and Carmen Garcia share their experiences and top tips for bluewater adventures.

INTRODUCTION FROM RICHARD

Dear Friends,

2023 is a very auspicious year for Oyster Yachts. It is hard to believe that it is 50 years since Richard Matthews founded this remarkable company. We’ve come a very long way from the first mould-breaking 32 foot prototype, UFO II, to the stunning new Oyster 495 and the 595, which you can meet at boot Düsseldorf in late January.

We have much to celebrate. Today, Oyster is the most prolific bluewater sailing yacht builder. What started as a local endeavour has grown to be an industry leader. Our global footprint is founded as much on our unrivalled levels of service and support, as it is on the design and build quality of the finest luxury sailing yachts the world has seen, enjoyed and, often, coveted.

If you are part of the Oyster family, I’m sure you will agree that owning and sailing an Oyster yacht is an extraordinary joy. As the proud owner of Oyster 885/01 Lush, I know this from personal experience. But it is a true privilege to be at the helm of the company itself and humbling to look back at the incredible DNA that runs through every Oyster, from the original models to today’s new generation fleet.

To celebrate this landmark year, we will be looking to our past and our future. The company’s many achievements are too numerous to mention here. But one thing is certain, our reputation is built as much on the quality of build and our attention to detail, as it is on the special memories and life-changing experiences our owners have enjoyed over the last half-century.

With Oyster’s reputation for hosting unforgettable events, you will not be

It is 50 years since Richard Matthews founded this remarkable company. We’ve come a very long way from the first mould-breaking 32 foot prototype, to the stunning new Oyster 495 and the 595

RICHARD HADIDA

surprised to hear that as part of Oyster’s

50th anniversary celebrations, we will be holding three very special events exclusively for Oyster owners. These take place in Antigua (April), Mallorca (September) and the UK (November).

The last five years have been eventful and hugely rewarding as we continue to make rapid progress with our plans for the company. I am even more passionate about Oyster than ever and I’m so proud of how far the Oyster Team has come, despite facing many global challenges and local difficulties. Together, we continue to innovate and build on the last five decades, supporting our owners as they set sail on their next adventure, whether that is close to home on local sailing grounds or to the farthest-flung corners of the globe. Wherever your Oyster takes you, you know you are always sailing in complete comfort, luxury and safety.

There have been many highlights over the last five years, which include:

• Employing over 600 highly skilled and experienced boatbuilders.

• Redefining our yachts as new generation, true luxury, bluewater cruisers.

• Launching three new models – 495, 565 and 595 – that are all selling well.

• The new 495 has sold out to hull 20 – an impressive achievement given she was only formally launched in April 2022.

• Seen record footfall on our yachts at boat shows.

• Built an entirely new production facility at Hythe and invested heavily in modernising our Wroxham, Oyster Composite Technologies and Southampton facilities.

And we will continue to invest to keep Oyster at the cutting edge of yacht production as time goes on.

This is just the beginning. I’m excited to celebrate the first 50 years of Oyster with you and we have very big ambitions for the future. It’s all about the journey and I’m sure it will be an adventure that, like our sailboats, is beyond expectation.

Temperatures have dipped in the northern hemisphere (it’s snowing here as I write) and we have battened down for the winter. But there is much to look forward to and I hope to catch up with many of you in the warmer climes of the Caribbean and Antigua in April 2023 to begin our 50th anniversary celebrations. Fair winds.

RICHARD HADIDA

CEO AND OWNER OYSTER YACHTS

NEWS ROUNDUP

JOIN THE OYSTER 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Can it really be half a century since Oyster started building the world’s finest bluewater sailing yachts? We will be celebrating with very special events in Antigua, Mallorca and the UK throughout 2023 – exclusively for Oyster owners. We would love for you to join us – register your interest on the website.

Oyster 495 sets a new benchmark

Oyster 495 has exceeded expectations on so many levels. With 20 hulls of this new generation Oyster sold, we are excited to welcome eighteen new members to the Oyster family. Well received from her concept, we are thrilled she has been nominated for the European Yacht of the Year 2023. The buzz looks set to continue, with 495 attracting lots of attention from the press and potential new owners.

A steady hand takes the helm of Oyster Charter

PALMA REGATTA 2022 –ANTIGUA REGATTA 2023

If you were not there, you missed a thrilling three days of action-packed racing that saw 23 teams from 10 nations compete for the honours at Real Club Nàutico de Palma (RCNP) in September. But the friendly rivalry was quickly forgotten at the parties and evening entertainment. Don’t miss the upcoming Antigua Regatta in April 2023.

SPRING & SUMMER BOAT SHOWS

We all look forward to the longer, warmer days of the summer sailing season. As well as catching up with the Oyster family at our regattas and rendezvous, you can see our new generation yachts and brokerage models at a host of boat shows in 2023. After the chill of boot Düsseldorf in January, it will be a joy to see Oysters in their natural habitat in London, Palma, Southampton and Annapolis throughout 2023. For more information visit the events section on our website. We look forward to seeing you on board.

We are delighted to welcome Fiona McCarthy as Head of Charter – she brings a wealth of experience from an international brokerage house. She knows Oyster yachts inside out as she previously worked for many years as Oyster sailing crew. So she is well-placed to handle all your questions and advise on the best charter for you and your family. See pages 88-89 for the latest charter listings or get in touch at fiona.mccarthy@oysteryachts.com.

AN EXCEPTIONAL YEAR FOR OYSTER BROKERAGE

2022 saw Oyster Brokerage yachts in high demand, maintaining strong residual value. All our new generation models made (brief!) appearances in the listings, followed by super quick sales. It is a fast-moving marketplace and Oyster Brokerage should be your first port of call if you are considering investing in a pre-owned Oyster. Find out more on pages 90–92.

With such a glowing reputation – superb sailing, friendly competition and some of the best social events on the Mediterranean circuit – it’s not surprising this distinguished event attracted a fleet of 23 Oyster Yachts from ten different nations, including six 80ft yachts, adding to the event’s impressive luxury yacht status.

Opening with a relaxed registration day, owners had the chance to mingle on the dock and get to know each other. The Oyster Technical Team was on hand to offer support ahead of the first day of racing. A Racing Rules seminar offered the chance to brush up on the latest knowledge, before a welcome cocktail party, with canapes and live music at RCNP, set the tone for the rest of the week.

Thanks to a combination of ‘round the cans’ courses in the Bay of Palma and pursuit races along the beautiful southwest Mallorca coastline, participants in all four classes were treated to three days of enjoyable racing, in a range of conditions and a friendly atmosphere.

The Oyster fleet embraced the stunning conditions for the two bay races on Lewmar Race Day 1. The Bay of Palma, glistening in the glorious sunshine, produced a good working breeze of 20-25kts, which made for spectacular racing.

The shifty first beat put crews’ skills to the test as the fleets headed inshore, but once round the top mark and under spinnaker, it was all about downwind tactics and staying in the wind pressure, before a dead downwind leg gave crews the perfect opportunity to hone their boat handling skills.

Race 2 followed in quick succession, with impressive starts by all four classes eager to beat their last performance and get away first. A smaller triangular course kept crews busy once again with plenty of manoeuvres to keep them on their toes.

Among the teams that revelled in the conditions was Richard Hadida’s team onboard 885/01 Lush, who won both races in Class 1, and 655/15 Blow from Denmark, who took two race wins in Class 2.

Hugh Johnson and his team on 625/18 Nikitoo took the first win of the day in Class 3, while Peter Blackmore’s 625/08 Peregrine Falcon claimed his first win of the series in Race 2. In Class 4, Rob Rendell and the team onboard 565/07 Tír na nÓg , sailed equally impressively in both races to notch up two wins.

Following a finish off the harbour entrance, yachts headed back to RCNP to be greeted by a local swing band and well-earned cold refreshments. Crews shared stories of an exhilarating first day on the water, ahead of the daily prizegiving presented by Lewmar.

The Oyster Regatta in Palma is the sailing highlight of the year –we all love to compete, meet and find new friends!

CHRISTIAN CASAL

745/06 KALIA

The following two days were made up of two coastal pursuit races – from Palma to d’Andratx and back – taking in the stunning backdrop of Mallorca’s southwest coastline.

The idea of a pursuit race means that because each yacht starts at a different time according to its handicap, all yachts should (in theory) finish at the same time. There is also the advantage of everyone knowing their exact position on the racecourse. With participants keen to be on the start line at their exact given time, there was plenty of excitement in the Bay of Palma on Yanmar Race Day 2, with a constant flow of yachts passing through the start line. With almost an hour between the first and last starts, the chase was on! Revelling in the sort of bluewater conditions they were designed for, the impressive fleet of Oysters powered their way west toward the crystal-clear waters of Illa del Sec, the narrow passage which brought the fleet closer together. Onwards and out of the bay past Cap de Cala Figuera, crews chose whether to head offshore or hug the coast, whilst some played it safe down the middle.

When to tack was critical and it made for fantastic close racing. When the baby of the fleet, Oyster 495/02 Tuga , and the largest of the fleet cross the finish line within three minutes of each other – that’s great sailing! But it was the team on 655/15 Blow who crossed the line first, followed by 625/06 Papillon in second and 625/08 Peregrine Falcon in third.

After a fun day on the water, the Oyster fleet pulled into the picturesque harbour of Port d’Andratx for the evening. A dock party awaited, with the annual regatta cocktail competition setting the tone for a great night, with an amazing array of cocktails presented for judging. Following the day's prizegiving presented by Yanmar, participants enjoyed a delicious authentic paella cooked on the dock, with a DJ providing the music as the sun set over the mountains.

The fleet were greeted with a change in the weather on Dolphin Sails Race Day 3 and the final day of the Regatta, but the rain and winds did little to deter them; instead, they embraced the conditions and enjoyed a brisk, coastal race back to Palma. The dramatic skies thickened and a squally 30 knots came in, testing crews to keep up their downwind sails.

The skies cleared with brilliant sunshine as the fleet sped past Cap de Cala Figuera and back into the bay of Palma. Almost all together again, they sailed through the passage of Illa de Sec and onward to the finishing line in the shadow of the Catedral-Basílica de Santa Maria de Mallorca.

One of the many stand-out performances that day, other than 885/01 Lush taking her third win of the regatta, consolidating her overall victory in Class 1 over 82/01 Bare Necessities, was the impressive performance of 885/10 Achenar who finished in second, followed by 745/06 Kalia in third.

Paul Adamson, Oyster’s CCO, sailing onboard Lush, said the racing couldn’t have been better: “We’ve had an absolute blast over the three days. There has been some tremendous racing across all four classes and we have enjoyed a real mix of conditions.”

“The Race Committee has been on hand throughout the week to answer any questions and help first timers at the regatta, which has been great to see.”

Palma

PETER BLACKMORE 625/08 PEREGRINE FALCON

The Palma Regatta was a fantastic event. It was well organised and a great opportunity to network with other like-minded owners.

ALAN PARKER 82-09 DAMA DE NOCHE

The Regatta culminated in a gala dinner and final prizegiving at Casa Museo Els Calderers – a stunning 18th century manor house and museum. This end of the regatta celebration gave Oyster owners a chance to gather in their finery and experience a befitting evening’s entertainment with a cocktail reception, a three-course dinner and a fantastic band.

In the overall standings, 885/01 Lush took the win in Class 1, followed by 82/01 Bare Necessities in second and 885/10 Achenar in third.

The winners of Class 2 was 655/15 Blow with three class wins and first overall in the pursuit series, making them overall champions and claiming the inaugural Oyster Cup. 675/03 Chione scored a consistent run of second places to finish second in Class 2, followed by 655/12 Daena with an impressive third place in their first Oyster Regatta.

In Class 3, 625/08 Peregrine Falcon managed to pip 625/06 Papillon to take the honors, followed by 625/18 Nikitoo in third.

Barry Parkin, who with his wife Susie only took ownership of 625/06 Papillon two months before the event, was very impressed with the Regatta. “The racing was tremendous, with a good breeze and spectacular scenery, and the pursuit races meant we saw every boat on the racecourse at some point. Ashore, the organisation was faultless, and we made many new friends. We had a fantastic time both afloat and ashore and we are already planning for the next regatta in Antigua 2023.”

The competition for the winner’s spot in Class 4 couldn’t have been closer. 595/06 Mastegot , one of the newest models at the regatta, performed fantastically at her inaugural event to claim victory in Class 4, beating 565/07 Tír na nÓg on countback who finished on equal points.

Third in Class 4 was 575/16 Ayesha

Eddie Jordan, a regular at the Oyster Palma Regatta and owner of 495/02 Tuga, said you can never get too much of this event: “The Oyster Palma Regatta is one of the dream weekends of the year. I always attend Oyster Regattas as they are just great fun, both on and off the water, and I love it.”

Aside from attracting loyal owners, families and friends, the Oyster Palma Regatta proved once again that it’s the ideal occasion for new owners to make their debut and meet the Oyster family. It was also a great opportunity for owners to benefit from the support of the Oyster Technical Team and the event partners – Dolphin Sails, Yanmar, Lewmar and Hall Spars – who were available throughout the Regatta to offer expert hands-on help and advice.

Toni-Nicolas Salame, owner of 575/32 Ahlam, commented on the welcome as a new owner and the level of help he received from Oyster: “Being our first Regatta, we were pleasantly surprised due to the high level of organisation before and during the regatta. We enjoyed the racing and the social events after each race, with music, good food and a lot of interaction with the Oyster family.

“All the technical support from the Oyster Team, as well as from the partners, was enriching for us, learning a lot, and improving our boat and sail understanding. We also had the opportunity to meet people who have already completed the Oyster World Rally, and others who are going to do it, like us, during 2024-25.“The Oyster Palma Regatta was definitely an experience above our expectations!”

Plans for Oyster Palma Regatta 2023 are already underway with the date set for 4–8 September 2023.

An excellent event where you can test your Oyster to the limit and enjoy her performance.

PAU SERRACANTA 595/06 MASTEGOT

As the Oyster World Rally fleet passes the halfway point of their voyage, catch up with their adventures over the last few months.

HALF A WORLD AWAY

SAILING WEST TO FRENCH POLYNESIA

Leaving the dramatic volcanic peaks and lush forestation of the Marquesas Islands, the fleet sailed west to the untouched atolls of the Tuamotus archipelago and the Disappointment Islands. This chain of 80 protected atolls offers unparalleled diving and snorkelling experiences. One of the first of the Tuamotus some yachts reached were the Disappointment Islands - a mostly uninhabited group of coral islands discovered by Magellan in 1520, named as there was no source of fresh water. For the record, they are not at all disappointing, but very beautiful!

These are some of the remotest islands on the planet, with pure white sands, waving palm trees, inviting waters and super friendly people. It is almost impossible to get there as a tourist, so the rally fleet was incredibly humbled to experience them. Fakarava, the second biggest atoll, was the favourite. Judy Hill, of Oyster 725/01 Intrepid celebrated her 60th birthday there at the amazing Havaiki Lodge.

Fakarava atoll is renowned for being home to the most undisturbed coral reef ecosystems on the planet. It also boasts the highest concentration of grey reef sharks in the world, with a single shiver of up to 700 sharks in the lagoon. The exceptional marine life includes rays, manta rays, barracuda, groupers, turtles and dolphins, making it a sport diving enthusiast's paradise. Many of the fleet dived here and didn’t want to leave.

Rangiroa was equally popular. Here, the fleet saw the amazing shark movement in the Tiputa Pass at high tide. It’s an incredible sight, something that should be on every diver’s bucket list.

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: ENJOYING THE STUNNING SCENERY OF BORA BORA. DIVING WITH THE GIANT MANTA RAYS.

A WELCOME RESPITE FOR THE FLEET ON SOME OF THE REMOTEST ISLANDS IMAGINABLE.

COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS

MAURITIUS RÉUNION

DURBAN

CAPE TOWN

VANUATU

TAHITI & THE SOCIETY ISLANDS

The fleet then sailed on to Tahiti, arriving at the most stunning location imaginable: a volcanic mountain range, with deep azure sea plus surf and a marina at its feet. In a word – paradise. Tahiti is the largest and most developed island in French Polynesia, with some of the best surf spots in the world at Teahupoo. Just 30 miles from Tahiti is the famous Marlon Brando resort at Tetiaroa, a spectacular and tranquil private resort that some of the fleet took advantage of for some R&R.

The next fleet rendezvous was Opunohu Bay, Moorea, 11 miles west of Papeete. There, they enjoyed a day of cultural activities including making flower leis, handicraft workshops, outrigger canoe races and traditional Polynesian sports including tug of war, coconut husking, fruit carrier races and stone lifting. All this was followed by an amazing fire dance show from the Moorea Swing Boys, fuelled by fantastic local food and beer.

Three yachts from the Oyster fleet joined the Tahiti Pearl Regatta for three days of racing in turquoise waters, bordered by a barrier reef and deep blue ocean. It’s probably the only regatta in the world that serves fresh coconut at the finish line. Oyster 675/04 Seabird took the overall win in the cruising class, followed by Oyster 575/11 Nikaia in second. Oyster 625/03 Black Lion, came fourth.

The Leeward Islands of Bora Bora, Huahine, Raiatea and Taha’a, were all popular stops offering breathtaking hikes through lush vegetation, unforgettable dives and snorkelling in crystal clear waters. Bloody Mary’s Bar in Bora Bora, renowned for its fresh local seafood, signature cocktails and celebrity appearances, is always one of the most anticipated party spots on the rally route. Yet again it did not disappoint, with everyone enjoying a great evening catching up and celebrating not one but two birthdays in this idyllic setting.

DISAPPOINTMENT ISLANDS

TAHITI

SOCIETY ISLANDS FIJI

NEW CALEDONIA

MACKAY

CAIRNS

DARWIN

KUPANG HAMILTON ISLAND

BELOW LEFT: A POLYNESIAN WELCOME FOR THE FLEET.

BELOW RIGHT: THE RALLY FLEET ENJOYING THE STUNNING SCENERY OF MOOREA.

ON TO FIJI, VANUATU & NEW CALEDONIA

Next stop was Savu Savu on the island of Vanua Levu, where the fleet received a warm welcome from the Copra Shed Marina staff, Fiji Tourism and locals. After 2,000nm and 13 days at sea, Fiji was a sight for sore eyes. The rally yachts were some of the first to enter Fiji after lockdowns were lifted and so the locals gave their traditional Kava welcome ceremony with great gusto.

Jacks of Fiji kitted the men out in sulus (similar to a kilt) and the women in sarongs. Kava root was presented to the town representatives and our owners thanked them as they were welcomed to the island. Each boat was given beautiful handprinted bags, flower garlands and a fruit basket. A variety of tours and diving trips, as well as savouring some local tradition, visiting geothermal springs and chocolate plantations kept everyone busy and entertained.

A collection of sixty islands, the Lau Group was also a very popular stopover with our fleet. As one owner told us: “It’s one of the most beautiful areas we have visited – remote and untouched by tourism. How lucky we are to be able to explore on our Oyster!".

The diving experiences have been a highlight of this Oyster World Rally and Fiji was no exception. Famous for colourful soft corals and anemones, dramatic topography and crystal-clear waters, it is like diving in a saltwater aquarium with unlimited visibility. Oyster 575/11 Nikaia visited a local school in Fiji and described their Oyster World Rally adventure to the children and teachers. They used inflatable globes to explain where they had sailed from, and in return the children sang them a beautiful song. Nikaia presented kava root to the chief and they were welcomed into his home. All in all, it was a once in a lifetime experience.

The final destination in Fiji for the fleet was Musket Cove. Everyone gathered for another iconic Oyster party before setting sail for Australia. They watched the sun set over the island, with a famous Musket Cove rum punch to hand, followed by a delicious Fijian dinner and smores around the firepit. An enthusiastic local band played through the night and encouraged everyone to get up and dance – for some of the more enthusiastic dancers, that meant getting up on the bar!

BELOW: OYSTER 565/08 INFINITY EXPLORING MONURIKI ISLAND, FIJI.

LEFT PAGE, BOTTOM THE FLEET IN LAU GROUP, VANUA BALAVU.

RIGHT PAGE, TOP: THE ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL OF THE HAMILTON ISLAND YACHT CLUB.

RIGHT PAGE, BOTTOM: THE STUNNING OYSTER 625/03 BLACK LION.

VANUATU & NEW CALEDONIA

Vanuatu reopened its maritime borders just as the fleet sailed towards New Caledonia. Some of the fleet decided to head to the capital, Port Vila. Vanuatu is comprised of around 80 islands scattered over 1,300 km. It’s renowned for world-class diving in pristine coral reefs, underwater caverns and on wrecks including the WWII troopship, SS President Coolidge.

Louis Goor and his crew on Oyster 655/02 Irene IV sailed to Port Resolution, Tanna Island, at the southern end of Vanuatu. Mount Yasur, an active volcano, looms over the Tanna Island. As the first outsiders the locals had seen for over 30 months, they received an enthusiastic welcome. The crews of Irene, Infinity and Seabird organised an eye clinic, with spectacles from the charitable foundation Sea Mercy (www.seamercy.org). They gifted 80 pairs, including two pairs to the headmaster of the local school so he can read without squinting!

The rest of the fleet carried on to New Caledonia. Lying between Vanuatu and Australia, a French territory that boasts spectacular scenery and offers superb hospitality. Some of our fleet were lucky enough to arrive in Noumea in time for Bastille Day on 14th July and join in the exuberant celebrations.

THE HALFWAY POINT: AUSTRALIA – MACKAY & HAMILTON ISLAND

Arriving in Australia at Mackay, south of the Whitsunday Islands, the fleet made their way up to Hamilton Island, a popular holiday destination. It is home to a world-class marina and the prestigious Hamilton Island Yacht Club.

Following a drinks reception on the Bommie Deck of the yacht club, the Oyster Halfway party was held at Catseye Beach. The evening started with cocktails on the lawn, with a glorious sunset over the Whitsunday Islands, followed by dinner served by scuba divers, with a side order of dramatic music and fireworks. Prizes were awarded to those nominees for the Spirit of the Rally, including: Louis Goor of Oyster 655/02 Irene IV for his brilliance on the fleet radio net; Ed Rumble, owner of Oyster 625/03 Black Lion and Joao Carrerio Skipper for a rescue at sea; James and Julia Thomas for sailing most of the first half of the rally doublehanded – a great achievement. The evening concluded with dancing to the Red Tie Band, who had flown in specially from Brisbane.

CAIRNS

After the fun and games at Hamilton Island and exploring the incredible Great Barrier Reef, the fleet sailed on to Cairns. Many owners took the opportunity to organise maintenance work including hauling out and antifouling hulls, and important rig checks, all of which kept our rally technicians busy.

Cairns is a cosmopolitan city and popular tourist destination thanks to its tropical climate and proximity to rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef. Some owners chose to fly home, while others took a break from their yachts to explore dry land. Popular destinations included the Daintree Rainforest and the stunning mountain village of Kuranda.

NORTHERN AUSTRALIA & DARWIN

Next stop: Indonesia. The route took the fleet to Darwin over the North Coast of the Northern territory via the Cape York Peninsular. This section of the rally threw up plenty of challenges for the navigators, with many reefs and remote islands to manage. In addition, there are plenty of crocodiles in these waters so there was no snorkelling or swimming from the yachts on this passage. It was a tough call, with tropical temperatures and very inviting waters, but good sense prevailed!

Favourite stopovers on this passage were Lizard Island, discovered by Captain Cook in 1770 and famous for its sea cucumber population. Flinders Island has an amazing selection of birds, including the Flame Robin. Thursday Island is famous for its pearl trade and as the military HQ for Australian and American forces during the Second World War. Darwin is in the Northern Territory of Australia and it has its own stringent rules and regulations on biosecurity. Most of the fleet spent 12 hours disinfecting their internal water systems and pipes before being allowed into the marinas. Darwin is packed with quirky attractions, including cool street art, exciting local markets, funky cafes and some excellent restaurants. It is also the gateway to the Kakadu National Park and home to some amazing Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr Rock.

INDONESIA

Indonesia turned out to be an eclectic and busy place for the fleet. The yachts cleared into Kupang, East Timor, after a short two-day sail from Darwin. They were greeted with a busy, hot and energetic welcome from the locals. Most of the officials met our crews on the beach by the anchorage and once formalities were over, they left them to explore this non-stop city.

Exploring Komodo National Park was high on most people’s agenda and many headed east towards Labuan Bajo, a vibrant fishing town located at the western end of the large island of Flores.

One major highlight of the park included the Komodo Dragons, the biggest lizard in the world growing to a maximum length of three metres and weighing up to 70 kilograms – last seen by the fleet on the Galapagos. Some crews had the almost impossibleto-imagine experience of diving with enormous but gentle Whale sharks. It seems to have been on everyone’s bucket list at the start of the Oyster World Rally and it became a reality!

Sailing west towards Lombok, the fleet stopped at the Lesser Sunda Islands, which they explored thoroughly, while some sailed straight to Lombok and the Gili Islands, renowned for its amazing surfing spots. The fleet came together at Marina del Ray, Gili Gede, for a typical Indonesian party with traditional dancing, local food and wine.

BELOW: EXPLORING THE GLITTERING TURQUOISE WATERS OF INDONESIA.

COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS

The Cocos (Keeling) Islands lie 1,500nm north of Lombok. One of Australia’s Indian Ocean Territories, the fleet were lucky to be the first yachts given Government permission to visit the islands since the beginning of Covid. It was definitely worth the effort – they sailed into a true tropical paradise, with an idyllic anchorage by Direction Island.

There are just two flights a week to the islands, making food and fuel scarce, so careful provisioning took place in Indonesia to make sure the fleet did not leave the locals short before the next deliveries.

Activities on Cocos are mainly water-based – snorkelling and diving, which were enthusiastically enjoyed and appreciated. The fleet had impromptu BBQs most evenings on the beach, where everyone got together to relax and take stock before the long ocean passage across the Indian Ocean to Mauritius.

MAURITIUS/RÉUNION

On the 2,330nm leg to to Mauritius, one of the longest passages on the rally, some yachts clocked record speeds and huge daily mileages (up to 250nm per day). Some were going so fast, they couldn’t even fish! Mauritius welcomed the Oyster fleet with a traditional Sega dance performance and taught the crews some of the island’s history.

Everyone loved Mauritius with its mix of volcanic mountains, lush sugar cane fields and miles and miles of white beaches with crystal clear blue water. One favourite excursion was canyoning – drifting down waterfalls and rocky outcrops in a wetsuit and helmet whilst taking in the remarkable scenery.

A quick 130nm hop to Réunion gave the fleet another change of culture and landscape. It is a French overseas territory, so the fleet were back speaking French for the first time since Tahiti and were also back in the Eurozone. Top activities were surfing, hiking up volcanoes, helicopter sightseeing and white-water rafting. Everyone enjoyed their time in these two remote Indian Ocean islands. Then onto the next stop, another landmark, as the

sailed on to Africa.

DURBAN & CAPE TOWN

Navigating to the south coast of South Africa can be challenging. The 1,430nm passage to Durban loops under the island of Madagascar and then crosses the difficult Agulhas Current which runs around the coast of South Africa. Spoken of with awe by sailors, it needs to be respected and navigated with very careful attention.

Interpreting the weather and deciding when to leave Réunion was vital. The yachts needed a good wind and to travel with the current when crossing this 60nm wide, ocean tidal flow. The weather can be very unpredictable which led to the fleet being split up – the faster yachts left early, whilst the rest waited for the next weather window.

Durban is an amazing destination, with the local yacht clubs of Royal Natal and Point Yacht Club combining with Durban Tourism and Sail Africa to devise an entertainment programme to keep our owners busy. The activities highlighted local culture, cuisine, and scenic spots. Some Oysters have taken local sailors with them on the passage to Cape Town as a thank you for the amazing hospitality.

Top activities in Durban were experiencing a Bunny Chow (hollowed out bread, filled with curry), visiting a shebeen, enjoying a typical South African Braai (barbecue), heading off on Safari and Zulu dancing. All in all, it was a wonderful rally experience that made the most of Durban and surrounding areas.

CHRISTMAS & SAILING INTO THE NEW YEAR

It’s hard to believe it is almost a year since the fleet set off from Antigua en route for the Panama Canal. They will spend Christmas and New Year in Cape Town, under the shadow of Table Mountain.

In the New Year, the Rally will set off on the final leg, heading up to St Helena and crossing the Atlantic to South America, before cruising up to the finish line in Antigua. It is sure to be another exciting adventure –we’ll update you with all the stories in the next edition of Oyster Life.

BELOW: ARRIVING TO STUNNING VIEWS OF DEVIL'S PEAK AND TABLE MOUNTAIN, CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA.

TOP GEAR

We caught up with Joakim Berne, CEO of Swedish sail clothing brand Sail Racing. We discover the highlights from the recent maiden voyage of Jupiter a brand-new Oyster 595/07 (which will be his out-of-office destination) and more about Sail Racing clothing.

Joakim Berne has worked closely with Sail Racing’s founders for 15 years – and they are all passionate about high quality sail apparel and Oyster yachts.

From a young age, Berne could be found out on the water honing his sailing skills in the Optimist, European Dinghy and Laser class. Graduating to larger yachts and high-activity sailing, it’s no surprise when he’s not sailing, he is working closely with the founders of Sail Racing in the industry he loves.

Sail Racing began when the founders identified that all the big names in sailing wear had a similar focus on offshore sailing. They saw a gap in the market for high activity sailing and so Sail Racing was born in 1999 out of Sportsmanship, the Swedish sports distribution group.

While the focus was on producing quality clothing for high-activity sailing, the only way to succeed in this relatively small sector was to launch an effective marketing strategy.

“Our efforts were aimed at high-profile sailing events,” Berne explains. “Timing is everything and as we launched, the sport developed in this direction. We partnered with events like the World Match Racing Tour, Volvo Ocean Race, and the Extreme Sailing Series, and consequently picked up the contract with America’s Cup with the Swedish Victory Challenge.

“This was a huge breakthrough which resulted in Sail Racing not only joining forces with Larry Ellison’s Oracle team, defending the America’s Cup in Bermuda in 2017, but also becoming the official clothing partner for the America’s Cup at the Bermuda finals.”

“He kept telling me that if you are looking for a bluewater cruiser there is only one name – and that’s Oyster, and one day, I will buy one!.”

When Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison launched the SailGP circuit in 2018, Sail Racing was the obvious choice for official clothing partner. Berne continues: “With such a good relationship built over so many years, and the fact SailGP was the perfect concept for our high-activity style brand, we started working with the organisation and the first teams on the circuit and it just grew from there.”

A CHANGE OF PACE

It’s quite a leap from sail race clothing to bluewater cruising yachts but with the business well-established, there was now time to consider yachts. Berne remembers there was only one contender in the mind of Sail Racing’s co-founder: the Bentley of the seas: Oyster. Introduced to the Oyster brand by friends and sailing fanatics through the business, Oyster was not only deemed the safest vessel on the market but also one so well built and over engineered it would last a lifetime.

“He kept telling me that if you are looking for a bluewater cruiser there is only one name – and that’s Oyster,” laughs Berne. “And one day, I will buy one!.”

The co-founder spent years reading sailing magazines and learning everything about Oyster. He often went to boat shows to look at them and eventually the time was right to invest.

JOAKIM BERNE

The process of choosing and ordering the boat, was exciting but, as Berne explains there was a lot to think about and many decisions to be made: “We began with the 495 but we soon realised it was too small for the dream he had of taking his whole family out cruising.

“Also, for blue water cruising, it was restrictive when it came to the size of the fuel and water tanks. Another priority was the Oyster signature Seascape windows both at the stern and in the saloon. Attention then turned to the 565 but it was the 595, with its impressive volume, high spec and luxurious interior finishes that offered the complete package."

FROM BRIEF TO FINISHED BOAT

Berne was very involved in the entire build process, which was a fantastic experience. There was a very clear focus on what was intended for the boat, which was a good starting point.

“It was specified to take the family around the Mediterranean in comfort and maybe in the future to the Caribbean. The idea was to create a real family cruising boat to be used for pleasure and work at corporate activities at racing events. The plan is to enjoy a good day on the water with our customers while watching the racing.”

As far as the specification went, Berne believes every box was ticked, along with some extra custom upgrades. “We did a few things, which I have to say, have made the boat even more modern. The co-founder is very interested in design and architecture and got involved in the details, as he did with Sail Racing.

“The boat, therefore, is very clean and functional and, in his design, the cockpit instruments are all integrated, so everything streams onto one big screen instead of having lots of small units.”

IMPRESSIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE

Berne was very complimentary about Oyster’s customer service. “Impressive” was the word he used. “The process from ordering to delivery was astonishing – super treatment all the way, with people helping you make the right decisions at every step. And when we saw the final product, we were immensely happy with how everything came together. In fact, we were blown away by the level of support, the project management and the handover – It was a very high level of service.

“We were most impressed with Debbie Scougall – our dedicated project manager – who is an experienced sailor herself which, for the co-founder as a new Oyster owner, made a huge difference. She was also with us for a week during the handover, which was amazing and hugely beneficial.”

“It was specified to take the family around the Mediterranean in comfort and maybe in the future to the Caribbean. The idea was to create a real family cruising boat to be used for pleasure and work in corporate activities at racing events. The plan is to enjoy a good day on the water with our customers while watching the racing.”

JOAKIM BERNE

THE DAY OF RECKONING

Ayear and a half after commissioning, Jupiter was ready for handover. She had already made her public debut at the Southampton Boat Show a few weeks earlier. So she was ready for handover from Oyster’s Ipswich base when the owner and Berne, along with a team of friends, arrived in early October.

“We spent almost a week in Ipswich during the handover process, to prepare the boat and learn about all the systems,” he says. “This was before we set off to Malta on her maiden voyage, which is where she was to be registered. The day before we set sail, the rest of the five-strong team arrived and we did a complete inspection together. We provisioned her and then left for Guernsey (our first leg) on 10 October.

“We were a team of five friends with pretty extensive sailing experience from different areas. It was super exciting to get on the boat and finally be ready to leave. We were also very glad because we had Luke Hancock onboard – Oyster’s commissioning skipper – who joined us for the first leg to Guernsey. That made a huge difference because he knew the boat inside out. This gave us so much more confidence because during that short leg to Guernsey he showed us how everything worked in a very relaxed manner.

“Also, Luke was particularly helpful with exporting the boat from the UK and dealing with all the paperwork. It felt good to sail her for the first 48 hours together with a guy that really, really knew Oyster. This boat is fully equipped with everything you can imagine so, learning how all the systems worked took a while –even knowing how to turn on the lights for example!”

“We left in the dark at 0600 on 13 October and it was blowing a hoolie with 40kt headwinds in parts of the crossing and nasty waves. We thought it was a great opportunity to put ourselves, and our lovely new boat, to the ultimate test and see what she was capable of.”

Team Jupiter had a fabulous sail down the east coast and along the Channel, arriving in Guernsey the next evening. But plans for the following passage – across the Bay of Biscay – were disrupted. Joakim continues: “The idea was to stop for a few hours while Luke did all the export paperwork and then leave for Malta that night. But we arrived ten minutes too late for the Customs Office in Guernsey, so we had to stay overnight and that meant the weather window for the Bay of Biscay closed. The weather then took a big turn for the worse and we ended up staying for two nights.”

BAPTISM OF FIRE

After two days in Guernsey and with the weather showing no signs of abating, it was decision time. It was far from ideal, particularly in a brand-new yacht, but they were on a tight schedule: “We couldn’t wait a week for another weather window, because we all had other commitments, so we said, ‘let’s go for it!’ We left in the dark at 0600 on 13 October and it was blowing a hoolie with 40kt headwinds in parts of the crossing and nasty waves. It may have been smarter to have waited but we thought it was a great opportunity to put ourselves, and our lovely new boat, to the ultimate test and see what she was capable of.”

JOAKIM BERNE

Team dynamics aboard Jupiter could not have been better either and their Bay of Biscay voyage was a real bonding experience. “We had a lot of fun too. Not all of us had met each other before but we ended up a tight-knit group. I think one of the best decisions we made was to have a rolling roster watch system: four hours on, six hours off. It meant you started your watch for two hours with one friend, then you sailed the next two hours with another, so it was very sociable in that way.”

So how did she perform in 40kt headwinds and huge seas? Joakim says one of the first things you notice is how quiet she is down below. “Usually, in conditions like that, you would expect crashing noises; a lot of noise from the hull, and the sound of water rushing along the outside of the hull, but it was super quiet. It gives you confidence that the hull is so solid, and everything is so well built.”

For most new Oysters, or any new boat, it can take a couple of years to fully test all the systems and learn how the boat works, so it was interesting to find out if short cutting the evaluation time was a positive move.

“There was no doubt we stress tested her and her systems to the limit but strangely, yes, it was one of the best things we could have done because now we have full confidence in her and all her systems.” A shakedown passage like Jupiter’s maiden voyage was also a quick way of finding out if the spec and custom features were the right choices.

“They’re spot on,” says Berne. “The owner is super, super happy with how the boat ended up and all the extra choices. For example, he chose to have an ‘L’ shaped couch in the stern cockpit area, something usually seen

on larger Oysters. We used it a lot because in calmer winds we could all sit together and socialise. Another invaluable extra was the integrated fridge in the cockpit table. Being able to have a cool drink when you’re tired on watch and not having to go below is fantastic.

TACKLING CALMER WATERS

Commenting on Jupiter’s overall performance Berne says he was delighted to find she felt incredibly balanced. “There’s nothing worse than fighting with the helm in those rough conditions, so it was wonderful to find she was so positive on the helm with her dual rudders. She has so much grip in the water, even in 40kts of wind, she felt very stable, safe and in full control.”

With the challenges of Biscay behind them, the rest of the trip was sedate in comparison – so much so they needed to use the engine more than they would have liked. “As we passed Gibraltar, we motored into a very calm Mediterranean Sea with very light winds, meaning we put over 200 hours on the engine. So something I think we’ll be adding to our inventory soon is a Code Zero for a bit more power in the lighter winds when sailing in open angles.”

“Usually, in conditions like that, you would expect crashing noises; a lot of noise from the hull, and the sound of water rushing along the outside of the hull, but it was super quiet. It gives you confidence that the hull is so solid and everything is so well built.”

JOAKIM BERNE

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: 40KT HEADWINDS ON THE BAY OF BISCAY PASSAGE, PROVIDING A STERN TEST FOR THE CREW ON BOARD. DEAD CALM PREVAILS FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN PASSAGE.

JUPITER TREATED TO A DOLPHIN ESCORT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.

The opportunity to experience such extremes was very useful and the warmer, calmer conditions from Gibraltar through to Malta gave the crew a chance to relax and enjoy the yacht at its best. As well as kicking back, the team was able to spend some quality time together, forming a strong bond with the yacht and each other.

The slower pace also gave them the chance to get up close to some remarkable Mediterranean residents –they were accompanied on various stretches of their passage by dolphins and whales. These impressive and memorable companions added a magical element to their first voyage.

A TRUE LIVEABOARD OYSTER

It was clear from their experiences and the way Jupiter worked for them that they had achieved their original aim: to create a beautiful and highly specified bluewater yacht that is perfect for extended periods of living on board. A lot of thought was put into making her easy to live on but also to make her as sustainable as possible.

“We chose a hydro-powered tow generator so we don’t have to fire up the engine or generator and there is no need for solar panels just to charge the batteries. The small hydro-powered propeller under the hull produces the same amount of power as you are consuming, more or less. It’s a real game-changer in our opinion.

“Another extra that turned out very well is the Quooker tap for instant hot water. This was particularly useful in the heavy winds during watches – it is super-quick and means no more noisy, and potentially dangerous, boiling of kettles.

“We chose a hydro-powered tow generator so we

have to fire up the engine or generator. The small hydro-powered propeller under the hull produces the same amount of power as you are consuming, more or less. It’s a real game-changer.”

JOAKIM BERNE

TIPS FOR NEW OWNERS

After his very positive experiences during the build and handover, Joakim was keen to offer some nuggets of advice for owners in the process of buying a brand-new Oyster. “At the handover sessions, you’ll find there is so much to take on in such a short space of time. We recommend taking short videos and pictures of things when it is explained how to operate them or how they connect different systems. Even something as simple as switching on the lights! Secondly, jump at the chance of having Oyster’s commissioning skipper join you for your first sail – it is invaluable.”

CRUISING AND SAIL RACING

With the wrath of the Bay of Biscay under their belts and a calm, restorative cruise through the Mediterranean to Malta, Jupiter is now registered in Europe. As well as cruising with family and friends, she will be a prominent and instantly recognisable sight at next year’s European racing events, providing the perfect space to entertain Sail Racing’s partners – Alinghi Red Bull Racing – at the America’s Cup Challenger Series, in luxury and as close as possible to the action on the water.

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TheUltimate Luxury

Discover what makes Oyster Yachts the perfect home-from-home.

When Richard Hadida took on Oyster Yachts, he was keen to elevate the Oyster brand beyond its already exceptional reputation. Reimagining the fleet to introduce a new generation of Oysters was at the heart of this ambition. Since then, Richard has focused on delivering a true luxury on board experience through modern and contemporary interiors that are not only functional but also beautiful, inviting and engaging.

Convinced that owners who invest in premium boats like Oyster expect an exceptional luxury finish, Richard set out to build on the things that have always made the brand special.

It starts with attention to detail and the time-honoured craft skills of our craftspeople, employing swathes of beautifully crafted hardwoods and the highest quality fixtures, fittings and finishes. Add innovative technology and interior layouts that are not only a pleasure to be in but are also deeply practical and you get the picture.

There is no room for compromise here. As an owner himself, Richard understands people are looking for contemporary styling and luxury to make their boat a home-from-home. And he was convinced Oyster could do far more in that respect when he took over the business. He was (and is) certain owners should expect much more: more value for money and aspirational sailing yachts that are a pleasure to own and use.

“Oyster is affectionately known as the Bentley of the seas – which is very appropriate to my way of thinking,” Richard explains. “I believe when you buy something with this kind of value (even the smallest Oysters cost over £1m) you expect every aspect to be of a fantastic standard."

The result of this thinking is a growing fleet of modern luxury bluewater yachts that confidently confirms Oyster’s reputation as a premium brand that is truly beyond expectation.

The ideal starting point

Richard was determined to ensure Oyster lived up to its reputation as a premium, solidly built, beautiful hand-crafted product. “One of the first things I wanted to do was distinguish old Oyster from new Oyster,” he told us. “Now, if you go in the cabin of any of our yachts you get that sense of ‘wow!’ which is something I didn’t feel was there before.”

Fortunately, Richard had the perfect blank canvas to realise his vision and show the world what an Oyster could be. He bought Oyster 885/01 Lush from his friend Eddie Jordan around the time he acquired the company in 2018. At the time, Lush was six years old and had circumnavigated with the first Oyster World Rally; she was now deserving of a refit.

And where better to start than working with an award-winning and highly respected interior designer? Enter Fleur Liversidge with an excellent reputation and a string of incredible projects under her belt from luxe New York apartments to superyachts.

RICHARD HADIDA

“Oyster is known as the Bentley of the seas… I believe when you buy something with this kind of value, you expect every aspect to be of a fantastic standard.”

OYSTER 885 LUSH: SALOON

Richard’s vision was wide-ranging, focusing on creating intelligent interiors that reflected the latest developments in contemporary living. How could all the comforts of a modern home translate into a luxury sailboat?

In addition, the pandemic threw a new light on the way owners use their yachts. Many people have spent extended periods living aboard on their bluewater adventures. But during the various lockdowns, many of our owners lived and worked on board their yachts, enjoying them in a way that time and schedules normally do not allow.

the desired result. They spent a lot of time discussing concepts and the kind of materials, textiles, leathers and finishes that could be combined to bring this high-quality, contemporary feel together in a stylish, modern and tasteful five-star solution.

We are all used to technology being seamlessly woven into our homes. As part of this project, it’s important to mention Richard, with his background in digital technology, led the drive to ensure all new generation Oysters are fully digitally enabled.

He was keen to make this a key feature on all new Oyster yachts. As a result, all new generation models are digitally enabled with leading-edge systems integrated into the design to enhance the home-from-home feel. All the onboard systems, including Wi-Fi and internet, are integrated and work together seamlessly to ensure the yachts are always fully functional, even in the remotest destinations on earth. And now, Oyster yachts are all fitted with Oyster Command™ – a digital switching system that controls everything from onboard entertainment and lighting to all the main systems.

RICHARD HADIDA

The insights gained about everything from fixtures and fittings to technology from owners who had enjoyed the experience, underlined the need for the interiors of Oysters to be designed and specified to the highest standards to create a real home from home.

So Richard and Fleur needed to agree on a set of principles and benchmarks – a line in the sand – that would help them achieve

As a result of their work together, Richard and Fleur have created a vision not only for the refit of Lush but also a benchmark to be applied across the entire Oyster fleet. Richard is enthusiastic about what they have achieved together. “I aimed to standardise the best level of fit-out and systems on every Oyster model. Fleur has brought her experience and sensibilities and applied them to our yachts and together we have exceeded what we set out to do.”

A line in the sand

“Fleur has brought her experience and sensibilities and applied them to our yachts and together we have exceeded what we set out to do.”

OYSTER 595: CHERRY INTERIOR SCHEME

Setting the benchmark

Starting with Lush, Fleur and Richard aimed to create a practical yacht that is welcoming but also luxurious. Every detail – from styling, materials, wood finishes, lighting, fixtures and fittings, energy efficiency, technology and connectivity – was considered, developed and finessed.

“Fleur had some great ideas and instantly knew the sort of look I wanted,” said Richard. “She knew I liked rich, dark woods, such as walnut, and she went through the whole yacht and changed its feel with her clever ideas. I saw the CGI renders and knew that was the way I wanted to go. There is no doubt that Fleur’s expertise, bringing in contemporary ideas from luxury home interiors and exacting attention to detail on the Lush refit was the turning point in Oyster’s interior design upgrade.”

Where engineering meets dreams

Before Fleur can move beyond concepts to making the customer's vision reality, Oyster's Project Design Manager, Chris Lock has some serious work to do. Chris works with the structural designers and engineers to maximise the available space in the large-volume hull. “My job is to go through the whole boat and create the ‘canvas’ for Fleur to ‘paint’ the owner’s dreams. The geometry must work structurally for every aspect of the yacht – for example with engineering and maintenance access.

“Walk through an Oyster and you’ll notice no lumps and bumps sticking out anywhere. On ordinary yachts, you might find a bit of the hull structure or something on deck intruding below. We design all that out, so what you see is a smooth, flush surface, the sort of finish you would expect to find in a luxury apartment.

“The boat is structurally and mechanically designed to the nth degree, which makes it so much easier to make her look great. Now we have got to the point where I hand the boat over to Fleur and explain where she can put fabric and other interior features.” Onboard Lush, Fleur took advantage of the canvas, creating an interior that not only reflected Richard’s tastes but also set the benchmark for the styling, quality and finish of the new generation Oysters.

“I take care of the aesthetics and facilitate bringing the client’s vision to life. I have introduced a range of different materials, such as woven leather on headboards, as well as bringing in a lot more texture and detail. “For example, in the past, the floors were often just flat walnut but now owners have a choice of woods and finishes. They can choose a walnut floor with an ash inlay or v-grooves, for example. Or they can upgrade to interiors in different woods – walnut, cherry or ash. We’re doing less teak these days as it is much less sustainable.

“We’ve also introduced a new woven floor covering that looks like sisal. We first introduced it on a 595 to break up the look of the solid wood and give it a lighter feel. Lightening up the floor and the headlining immediately created a space that feels much more open and contemporary.

CHRIS LOCK

A new benchmark for the Oyster fleet

Fleur took the learnings from the Lush project and applied this new approach to the rest of the fleet, starting with the new generation models including the Oyster 565 and 595. She has also modelled concepts for every Oyster model and created a set of four unique schemes exclusively for the Oyster 495.

“I’ve been looking at ways to bring in the concepts and ideas we pioneered on Lush to elevate the quality, styling, finishes and materials across six different models,” she told us. “I’m also looking to bring in more sustainable materials too. I want to take people’s breath away when they step on board but at the same time make them feel like they’ve come home.

FLEUR LIVERSIDGE

“There are lots of new materials available too. We’re using HI-MAC, a composite material, on countertops in the galley and ensuites. Owners can choose from 50 different samples and each of them can dramatically change the feel of the boat.”

“Lighting was a really big part of Richard's vision,” continues Fleur. “Working with super-skilled lighting designers, every Oyster model now features the same high-spec systems. The mood lighting makes a huge difference to the overall feel of the boat, during the day utility lighting mode is enabled, then at night you press a button and suddenly everywhere below decks takes on a gorgeous warm feeling.”

“As with every design detail, no matter how small, you’ve got to think about how the boat goes together to prepare for all the other elements further along the line such as hidden cabling, pipework and access panels to ensure a luxury living space remains practical too.”

True liveaboard bluewater yachts

Oysters are designed to be the ideal liveaboard yacht, where owners can spend their days exploring, working from 'home’ and relaxing in almost any location they choose. “From the start, the idea was to include everything owners would expect to find in their own homes and to make life as easy as possible,” said Richard. “We have achieved this and I am over the moon with the results.

“We have delivered the luxury living space concept we developed on Lush across the whole fleet. You can really see the transformation in our new boats and these luxurious interiors bring a new depth to the experience of exploring some of the most beautiful and remote places in the world.”

RICHARD HADIDA

“Walk through an Oyster and you’ll notice no lumps and bumps sticking out anywhere. We design all that out, so what you see is a smooth, flush surface, the sort of finish you would expect to find in a luxury apartment.”

“I want to take people’s breath away when they step on board but at the same time feel like they’ve come home.”

“We’ll continue to evolve our approach and go beyond owners' expectations to ensure Oyster remains the premium benchmark for luxury sailing yachts.”

HOW TO CHOOSE CREW

A successful ocean passage is a combination of many parts and is about much more than pure sailing. Weather, equipment, food and sleep all contribute, but one of the biggest but least talked about variables of all is the harmony of the crew.

How do you select crew that are going to be willing, flexible and easy to get along with? If you are employing them, what should your relationship be, and who will be in charge?

HUGH JOHNSON OYSTER 625/18 NIKITOO

When Trevor and Judy Hill bought Oyster 725/01 Intrepid, they planned to employ a professional crew some of the time, but also cruise alone together at other points. Along the way, they have learned some lessons about what to look for – and what to avoid.

When they bought their boat from her previous owner, the Hills decided to keep on the professional crew that had been working aboard so they could tap into their knowledge of the systems and how the boat was run. This allowed them to learn about Intrepid themselves and make decisions about what to modify and improve in a refit.

On their first transatlantic passage in November 2019, Trevor took on the role of skipper with a paid crew to help out, but afterwards, the paid crew disembarked and the couple cruised among the Caribbean islands together. Push-button winches and furling made it possible for them to handle a 74ft yacht like theirs.

When the pandemic disrupted the Hills’ plans to return to Europe, they decided to sail their boat north to the US, and again looked for crew, this time using the Oyster Crew service. The service vets and interviews candidates face to face, checks qualifications and background, benchmarks salaries and also seeks to understand exactly what owners are looking for to find the very best match. In the Hills’ case, it allowed them to extend their sailing plans.

“Oyster has done a nice job of this and the operation for reviewing crew capabilities with owners has been great. One of the guys we got from the Oyster Crew service turned out to be such a good sailor and great guy that we kept him on for six months so as not to be as tied to the boat, and we sailed all the way to the Canadian border and all the way south to West Palm Beach in Florida along the whole eastern coast of the US,” Hill says.

When the couple began looking for crew to help them prepare for and embark on the 16month Oyster World Rally circumnavigation, they were clear they wanted a young couple who would be as enthusiastic and keen to share the adventure as they were.

“We are in our late fifties,” says Hill. “It is a bit of a young person’s world and you need that vitality. We met a couple who were in their twenties who were experienced but also hungry to learn. We see our crew as partners with us and always expressed it in that way; we are not looking for service, per se.”

“YOU CAN GET SO LUCKY AND FIND PEOPLE WHO BECOME LIFELONG FRIENDS, BUT IT CAN BE A MINEFIELD.”

Their crew help to give them the freedom to escape some of their responsibilities from time to time along the rally. “It is like climbing Everest, a significant undertaking with a lot of complexity. We didn’t want to be maintaining the boat in every harbour. There is so much passage-making along the way and I like to get off the boat, maybe go into a hotel for a bit,” Hill says.

While employing crew for ocean crossings or a circumnavigation will lighten the load, Hill counsels that owners should be realistic about what they will need to do, and the knowledge required.

“You have to set in your mind that you are actually working on this boat as crew yourself and sometimes you will be exhausted at the end of the day,” he says.

“Having crew makes that less overwhelming and I think anything you get beyond that is a gift. If your starting

position on a passage is that you are going to get all your meals and drinks served to you, that is going to be a disappointment.”

“From my perspective, I think the journey of buying a boat, refitting it, learning it intimately, getting tickets and taking the same responsibilities as the other crew would have to is the minimum standard and you can’t have a seat at the table without that. Your experience has to be significant to be credible to your crew and for them to take you seriously.

“It’s a bit like running a business, you can’t sit in the corner office without knowing how it all works. People lose faith in leadership and businesses fail and this is exactly the same. You have a duty to be trained, organised and engaged,” he says.

Hugh Johnson has considerable experience of taking on crew to help him run his Oyster 625/18 Nikitoo or look after her when he

has not been aboard. “You can get so lucky and find people who become lifelong friends, but it can be a minefield,” he says.

Since they bought their boat in 2017, Hugh and Mariana Johnson have crossed the Atlantic twice and voyaged across the Pacific to New Zealand. They have found extra hands through various crew finding services including Ocean Crew Link, Crewbay and Find A Crew.

“Those have brought us a couple of really fabulous people, a whole lot of less than good people and some complete and utter disasters,” he says. “It is a crap shoot.”

“These companies don’t do any vetting. People can do crazy stuff and cause damage and it really hurts when that happens unnecessarily.” By contrast, Johnson has praise for the Oyster Crew Service. “You get a thoroughly vetted individual with an appreciation of the value of the boat they’re joining and of what it means to you. It’s not cheap but I think you get a more consistent and better individual and Charlie Durham who runs the Oyster Crew service is really focused on what you’re looking for and what you are planning to achieve.”

TREVOR HILL OYSTER 725/01 INTREPID

“GOOD CREW ARE HARD TO FIND; THE GOOD ONES ARE BUSY. AS AN OWNER, YOU HAVE TO BE HONEST ABOUT WHAT’S THE RIGHT FIT AND PATIENTLY GO OUT AND FIND IT.”

ROSS ALLONBY OYSTER 675/01 ALIKA

“IT’S

HUGH JOHNSON OYSTER 625/18 NIKITOO

Ross Allonby, who bought his Oyster 675/01, Alika, in 2020 has just made his first transatlantic crossing with his wife, two children, a friend and two professional crew. He has also used the Oyster Crew Service and others and he makes the point that owners may need different crew attributes at various phases of their plans.

“The longer I’ve run this boat, the keener the sense I have of what I want,” he says. “Before, it was more about maintenance, project management to cope with a programme of work and gardiennage, but now I’m pretty clear we need people we can entrust with a valuable asset and who are compatible with family sailing.”

What does he look for? “I want a good attitude, someone who is naturally curious and has a high energy level, who is humble, honest and has an appetite for hard work. You also want somebody keen to share the adventure, who is open to suggestions but confident enough to make suggestions back.”

“Good crew are hard to find; the good ones are busy,” he adds. “As an owner, you have to be honest about what’s the right fit and patiently go out and find it.”

Some owners, like Allonby, have full-time professional crew to carry out light charter work and keep the boat maintained and used when the family are not aboard. Others, such as Trevor Hill, are the full-time skipper themselves and require crew only to help share the teamwork, or to give them initial confidence in running the boat.

Running the show yourself with some help is “accessible for anyone,” Hill believes. “It is challenging and complicated but in a good way. It is not drudgery. If you can run a business and get to that stage of owning an Oyster you can definitely run one. These boats are tremendously complex, but there is also a simplicity about it. There are so many people in the Oyster world with experience who can help you.”

The Hills believe their crew for the Oyster World Rally continue to enhance their voyage. “We have a keen, young, hardworking, super capable crew and we can provide them with an incredible experience and a team partnership,” Hill says.

“As we have come to understand each other’s capabilities, we’ve formed a great working relationship with a high level of trust. We are fulfilling their dreams of seeing the world and they are working with owners that are really engaged. It has been wonderful so far – and long may it continue.”

TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING CREW

Desired outcome: Think about the personalities, skillsets and daily routines. This will help to find the right crew characteristics and skills.

Be clear from the outset: Set expectation early in the relationship, crew need to have very clear expectations.

Take your time when choosing: Skillset and appropriate characters on board is important to the success of the team. Face-to-face interviews are recommended.

Don’t cut corners: Your Oyster is worth the investment in an excellent crew. Professional Captains and crew will have gained invaluable experience to get this far in their careers.

Consider crew living space: Keep your crew happy and provide a suitable cabin. The yacht will be their home too.

Talk to other professional crews: Find out what makes a happy boat from the crews that live on them.

“YOU GET A THOROUGHLY VETTED INDIVIDUAL WITH AN APPRECIATION OF THE VALUE OF THE BOAT THEY’RE JOINING AND OF WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU.”

“WE HAVE A KEEN, YOUNG, HARD-WORKING, SUPER CAPABLE CREW AND WE CAN PROVIDE THEM WITH AN INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCE. IT HAS BEEN WONDERFUL SO FAR – AND LONG MAY IT CONTINUE.”

TREVOR HILL OYSTER 725/01 INTREPID

The Johnsons are part of the 90 crews in this year’s ARC+ rally from Gran Canaria to Grenada, five of them sailing Oyster yachts. For some, like them, it’s the first stage of a much longer voyage, or even a circumnavigation. Others are staying in the Atlantic for now but have plans to transit the Panama Canal and go into the Pacific in the future. Something they all have in common is the ambition to go further. The reason the Johnsons bought an Oyster was to have the adventure of a lifetime.

MARIANA JOHNSON – OYSTER 625/18 NIKITOO

Hugh and Mariana Johnson and their crew are crossing the Atlantic for the third time, aboard their second Oyster, previously owning an Oyster 54, and are both highly experienced bluewater sailors who have sailed across the Pacific as far as New Zealand on Nikitoo. Now, they are about to retrace that route. It was important for them to choose a boat that would be safe and comfortable on long ocean passages, capable of consistent average speeds to gobble up the miles without stress to the boat or crew and suited to being a home from home for family and friends. Asked about Nikitoo’s best attribute, Johnson says simply: “Being able to stand on the dock and look at the boat. It's just beautiful. There is a huge pride of ownership.”

For Mariana, there’s another angle: “Nikitoo means home for me. I love the safety,” she says. "I feel very comfortable in this boat,” she smiles. After 30,000 miles of sailing together halfway round the world and more, there’s not much the Johnsons don’t know about their boat. It is their base for nine months of each year and as such carries all the comforts that make life easy and enjoyable.

“This is a heavy displacement bluewater cruiser with oodles of storage space,” Hugh says. To illustrate the point, he lifts the companionway steps to reveal neatly stacked boxes of tools and spares. “Oyster will put shelves in wherever you want. They’re very clever and they can do whatever it is you want. We wanted a locker where we could store ten plastic bottles and they made

LEFT: A SAFE HAVEN ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD FOR OWNERS HUGH AND MARIANA.

BELOW: SUNSET ON TRANSATLANTIC CROSSING.

RIGHT: SUNSET ONBOARD OYSTER 56/67 YUVA.

BOTTOM RIGHT: OYSTER 56/67 YUVA LEAVING MINDELO, CAPE VERDE.

that.” The Johnsons also wanted a special 70-litre tank for rum, with a tap dispenser, a deck filler and a sight gauge.

“The great thing about the yard visits is that you can see where you have got space to use things and the boat can be modified. Oyster is great, they will change anything. For example, Mariana is a little short and they moved the galley counter in by 15cm so she could reach the lockers. On deck, the layout and position of the winches can be changed. I have the keyboard [at the nav table] positioned for the exact length of my forearm."

Nikitoo easily swallows all the provisions needed for a full crew, bluewater equipment and toys, and with 1,700lt of fuel and 1,200lt of water, she has the capacity for long periods of self-sufficiency at sea. She sails well and reliably logs brisk passage times.

“NIKITOO MEANS HOME FOR ME. I LOVE THE SAFETY, I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE IN THIS BOAT.”

there has never been a moment when we felt she wasn’t solid underneath us.”

When considering what else he values about his boat, he adds: “It is also very good for entertaining people. When we were in the World ARC, we were the party boat. Our record is 43 people on board at one time for a birthday party!”

SEA-KINDLY ATTRIBUTES

Sailing is a thread running through Jim Holden’s life. He began in Annapolis at the age of six and went to sailing camps every summer. Since being based in the UK, he has owned a succession of bluewater cruising yachts and ranged extensively from the Mediterranean to the Azores, British Isles and Norway. Now he is getting ready for his first transatlantic voyage with his wife, Peri, and adult daughter, Elsa, on their Oyster 56/67, Yuva.

After sailing across the Atlantic, they intend to continue through the Panama Canal and onwards across the Pacific to be in Fiji by next August. The Holdens chose an Oyster because they saw it as the perfect, well-found yacht for their family and friends to enjoy these ambitious and far-flung plans. “I like the Oyster’s overall balance and lack of bad habits,” Jim says. He likes the sea-kindly attributes of the design, the deep forefoot that gives it a soft motion in a seaway and makes long passages comfortable. “And,” he adds, “she sits in the water well and has fairly low freeboard so you do feel connected to the water.”

JOHNSON – OYSTER 625/18

OYSTER 625/18

The Holdens really liked the quality of build and finish and the fact that the design was created with all the space, systems and comforts needed for long periods of living on board. “We don’t consider our boat as a tool; it’s our home on the water and somewhere for us and our kids to be safe and happy,” Peri comments.

“This is about your trust. But you also have to be able to look at your boat from land and go ‘She really is good-looking.’”

“We set the boat up thinking that we would like to do this a long time ago,” says Jim. “What Oyster does so right is in the detail and workmanship. The joinery is fabulous. Nothing has ever fallen apart; no hinge has ever broken. They are also willing to do lots of things that are not standard. And there are massive amounts of storage. There is a lot of space so it's easy – very easy – to work on and you can easily upgrade things and run the cabling.”

Although Yuva was well-equipped when the Holdens bought her from her previous owner, they have thought carefully about how to upgrade and prepare for the voyages ahead – safety has been the foremost consideration.

“Even if you think you know all the things you need for safety, one good thing about the ARC+ rally is the safety checklist the rally gives you,” Jim says. “We have more spares than normal, such as pumps, engine and generator parts. And we’ve upgraded the sails because they were 10 years old and we needed replacements, so we’ve got a North 3Di North mainsail, gennaker and staysail. We also renewed all the deck canvas, increased the solar panels on the bimini from 170 to 460w and added a 600w Watt&Sea’s hydrogenerator.”

While they consider the Oyster 56 the ideal size for family sailing, the Holdens admit that they were “very tempted by the new Oyster 565 and 595. We don’t have a sail locker, for example, and we’d like one. Peri likes the twin rudders and would like a walkthrough between the two wheels. But there just wasn’t enough time for us to order one and get ready for this.”

“THIS BOAT SAILS LIKE A DREAM. WE ARE VERY CONFIDENT IN HER ABILITY IN ANY CONDITION, IN ALL THE MILES WE’VE SAILED, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MOMENT WHEN WE FELT SHE WASN’T SOLID UNDERNEATH US.”

HUGH

NIKITOO

“WHAT OYSTER DOES SO RIGHT IS IN THE DETAIL AND WORKMANSHIP. THE JOINERY IS FABULOUS. NOTHING HAS EVER FALLEN APART; NO HINGE HAS EVER BROKEN.”

MARIANA JOHNSON –

NIKITOO

AN ALL-ABSORBING PROJECT

Oyster 56/20 Mistral of Portsmouth is Chris and Karen Parker’s first yacht. Both are lifelong sailors but had never owned a boat. They only began to plan their purchase four years ago. Chris was coming up to retirement from his job as a pilot, and Karen, then still working as an HR director, realised how much he was dreading it. “I knew he was hating the thought, so I said to him: ‘Why don’t we sail around the world?’ It appealed to both of us as a project.”

The couple began by looking at the Oyster World Rally, which then shaped their choice of boat. “There were not many we could have afforded at the time, but we found a boat in Valencia that had already been around the world in 2015 or 2016. We loved it and bought it in September 2019. Then lockdown happened,” Chris says.

The duration of the Oyster World Rally subsequently changed to 17 months. As the Parkers want to circumnavigate more slowly, they didn’t join in the end, but they are grateful the initial idea shaped their choices. “If it hadn't been for that, we would have been looking at Discoveries or Swans and other types of boats, and we could still be looking now. As it was, we saw only three or four boats,” says Chris.

After buying Mistral of Portsmouth, they took on a project manager to help them work out the equipment they would need and coordinate the work in Palma. That included installing new lithium-ion batteries, upgrading the battery monitoring system, getting a new genoa, staysail and Code Zero, new chart plotters, two new autopilots and new solar panels. The project manager’s role included familiarising the couple with all the systems and routine maintenance.

“Neither of us is from an engineering background and we needed the reassurance,” says Chris. “Sometimes you can see something is wrong, but you don't know if it's important. We got to know what a priority is and what is a nice to have.”

Three years on, Karen has also retired from her job and the Parkers have immersed themselves in the cruising life. Since the lockdown in 2020, they have sailed widely in the Mediterranean, from the Balearics to Italy and Spain. They sail and run the boat entirely themselves and take pride in that.

Settling into new roles on board, Chris is the skipper – final decision maker and navigator – and Karen is “the chief engineer”. Life on board has been both challenging and fulfilling.

“Learning to maintain the boat has been a massive learning curve,” Karen says. “I’m still adjusting to it. We had always chartered boats in the past, but it's a bit like renting a house - you just call the landlord if something goes wrong. With ownership, you have to know how everything works, how to service it, how to change the filters and clean the strainers.

“I service the toilets. If there's a leak, I'm on it. When I am on board, I've always got jobs to do. I have taken on a job of work. It is hard to get the right balance between dependence on people coming on board and doing it yourself but there is a part of me that finds joy in my practicality.”

EXPERT ADVICE

In preparing for their transatlantic crossing with the ARC+ and ARC rallies, Oyster owners have been supported by the experienced Oyster Technical Team on the ground in Las Palmas, who perform complimentary ‘health checks’ on board.

Will White, from Oyster Yachts in Newport, Rhode Island and who heads the team, said: “We go over each system, such as the steering, pumps, rigging and electrics. We might find small leaks, loose fittings, wires that have come adrift etc. and we ask skippers about their questions and concerns.”

“Safety and seaworthiness is our priority. We are not there to fix things as such, although we frequently do if they have a spare on board. For example, on one boat we changed out a universal joint on the steering and fixed a bilge pump. But we are there more for guidance and to give an assessment and make skippers aware of the condition of their boat.”

He adds: “We also do a fair bit of crew and owner training. For example, we’ll show people how to service the electric winches: how to set them up, the tools needed, how much grease to use, and where to use oil instead. We show them the last-minute things to look at.”

Chris and Karen Parker point out that it has been “a great service. They inspect your entire boat. We had five experts on board for two hours and they spotted one thing that needed to be changed that we wouldn't have known about it. That gives you great confidence. You can give everything a tick.”

They also praise the company’s After Sales service. “We have used it three or four times and they always responded quickly. When we needed a swivel for the main halyard, they shipped it express the same day. It’s a really good service.”

A BOAT FOR FUN AND ADVENTURE

Two years after buying his Oyster 675/01 Alika, Ross Allonby is on what he calls a ‘sailing sabbatical’ that will last until next summer. He is crossing the Atlantic with a crew of nine: his wife, Poppy, their children aged 12 and 14, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, a friend and two professional crew.

The Allonbys are a longtime sailing family and also own a boat they keep in the US, a classic 34ft Herreshoff-designed day sailor. The Oyster is to be the vehicle for a month’s long sabbatical and even wider horizons in the future when the children are older.

“Alika is for shared fun and adventure,” he says. “Sailing provides a great platform for learning.”

“I had been thinking about this for quite a while. I looked at different models and makes and the Oyster 675 was the right one for us as a family and ticked more of the boxes. We wanted a bluewater cruiser that was comfortable, safe and could embark on some longer voyages with our friends. You can sail it shorthanded but it benefits from a professional crew for maintenance and we will put her on light charter to keep the boat used and moving, and for the crew to do a great job.

“There are eight good berths and ample space for provisions, fuel and water. With Oyster’s new G6 set-up, there is a lot of light below, it is very comfortable for non-sailors, and you always have contact with the water.” For him, as for all the other Oyster owners preparing to cross the Atlantic, the appeal of an Oyster is its marriage of safety, sea-kindliness and comfortable living.

They know they can trust that behind the scenes everything is well built and installed and set out for ease of maintenance by people who understand exactly what it means to run a boat at sea.

“I appreciate the way Oyster provide schematic diagrams [of electrical and other systems] for owners and all the records and maintenance schedules they provide. They do a lot to help owners to have that information,” Ross says.

Despite sailing all his life, this is his first transatlantic crossing and he says: “We have spent a lot of time preparing the boat and improving it. We have added things like SSB radio and additional sails, for example, a new staysail and a furling gennaker. We try to be thorough. We have learnt as much as we can to be as safe as we can be and we have gone through all the what-if scenarios as sailing teaches you that life is more random than you think,”

Above all, the ideal bluewater cruising boat has to sail well, cover the miles easily and consistently, and make sailing a pleasure, and Ross prizes these qualities. “The 675 has exceeded our expectations in many ways – both in terms of comfort at sea as well as handling and performance. She handles well upwind with the twin rudders and off wind she is quick for a heavy displacement boat. You feel like you are on a very safe platform.”

To be at the start of a transatlantic crossing is the culmination of many months and, in most cases, years of planning and preparing. So, Oyster owners also value the expertise of a build team that understands what they need, creates boats ready-made for these adventures and are on hand to help and advise throughout the life of a boat.

Will White of Oyster Newport perhaps puts it best when he says: “Owners do appreciate this and when it is time to buy a new boat, they find themselves asking whether they can really remove themselves from that support and family. The thing is, we are all sailors ourselves. Most of us have been that guy and we have a lot of empathy. We’re always asking ourselves: in the same situation, what would I want? What Oyster owners want, and what they have, is a yacht that gives them complete confidence."

“ALIKA IS FOR SHARED FUN AND ADVENTURE, SAILING PROVIDES A GREAT PLATFORM FOR LEARNING.”

ROSS ALLONBY – OYSTER 675/01 ALIKA

GOTHENBURG ARCHIPELAGO

Gothenburg Archipelago – or Göteborgs skärgård as it is locally known –is a delightful group of islands off the west coast of Sweden and is one of Scandinavia’s best-kept secrets. Anyone who has ever had the pleasure of sailing into Gothenburg will understand just how magical it is.

INSIDER SAILING GUIDE WITH KARL NORDSTRÖM OWNER AND CEO, SJÖSPORTSKOLAN

The place is simply scattered with islands of all shapes and sizes, many with enviable, privately-owned, traditional red Swedish summer houses, and lighthouses sitting majestically on top. A cruise to Gothenburg is indeed the best possible way to experience Sweden and its cosmopolitan, yet relaxed and traditional lifestyle. Like Stockholm’s archipelago on the east coast of Sweden, Göteborgs skärgård has far too many islands to mention, but as with all well-explored cruising areas, there are plenty of recommended places that are worth a visit.

Karl Nordström – Owner and CEO of Sjösportskolan (Gothenburg’s premiere sailing school) – has been cruising the west coast of Sweden and Norway with his family for many years and says once you arrive in Gothenburg, you’ll need plenty of time to explore: “There are thousands of islands, in fact, officially 8,000, plus the skerries, but I would say there are about 100 major islands, each with its own beauty. One that springs to mind that mustn’t be missed is Vinga, which lies approximately ten miles off Gothenburg’s port entrance. This is the home to the 19th century Vinga Lighthouse, which is a well-known beacon for sailors as they make their final approaches to Gothenburg.”

The archipelago starts about ten miles south of Gothenburg and, as you will see on a chart, has a natural south-north divide, with the northern section heading towards Marstrand. The water is so deep in this part of Sweden, and the rocks often sheerfaced into the sea, that cruising with a deep keel yacht is possible virtually anywhere and because there is hardly any tidal current, you’ll find no problem tying up alongside the smooth-faced rocks. This sailing area is exceptionally well charted, meaning you really can get close to most of the islands without worrying about running aground.

To ensure a positive visitor experience, the Swedish Cruising Association (Svenska Kryssarklubben – SXK) has produced both an app and information binders with aerial photos showing the positions of mooring buoys. SXK has also gone to great lengths to install iron eye bolts for mooring alongside rocks. They are everywhere and easy to identify because they are exactly where they are marked on the charts on the app.

WHEN TO GO

The good thing about visiting Sweden in the summer, particularly midsummer, is that it is light almost all the time. It is the perfect time to embrace the delights of Sweden’s annual midsummer celebrations, which happen on a Friday, around 20 June, when you can relax on deck and enjoy the soft glow of the sun as it dips towards the horizon, while relishing one of Sweden’s many traditions – a glass of the finest, crisp, white wine and copious amounts of crayfish. Nordström added: “It is a fantastic time to visit, although beware the water is still cold at that time of year, at about 15-16 degrees for swimming. For that reason, few boats are cruising the area at this period.” The busiest time in the archipelago is July and early August, just before the end of the school holidays (around 15 August). From then on, it’s quiet and a nice temperature, although by mid-September it is cooler in the evenings and the sun sets early.

SAILING FROM THE UK

The islands above Gothenburg’s Archipelago stretch up to Norway, which means anyone thinking of sailing to Gothenburg from the UK – approximately 420M from Aberdeen for example – will need plenty of time to explore this beautiful and unique Scandinavian coastline.

STAVANGER FIRST STOP

Following the 250M passage across the North Sea, Norway is the natural first stop, and Stavanger is, according to Nordström, the perfect place to break the journey. Its location, just a short taxi ride from the airport, makes it one of the most convenient places for crew changeovers, or owners, friends/ family joining the yacht. “There are three marinas to choose from, but one I particularly like is Vågen in the western harbour because it is very deep and extends right into the city centre.”

It is worth spending a few days cruising the area, taking in the spectacular scenery, and sailing through some of the amazing fjords. Nordström recommends Lysefjorden, east of Stavanger: “This is the most dramatic fjord to visit because it is so narrow but incredibly deep – 400m of water and up to 1,000m of mountain on either side. It does give you an instant taste of Norway and its spectacular scenery. You’ll find plenty of mooring possibilities too. Stop off at Lindøy about five miles east of Stavanger, where there is an anchorage. Continue another 25 miles to a fantastic place called Flörli. Here, there is an imposing 750m tall power station to explore on a staircase of 4444 steps; a restaurant by the water; and berthing in the marina is free, although there is no electricity.”

LYSEFJORDEN

SMÖGEN

ARRIVING IN SWEDEN

Following a stretch of open sea sailing in generally downwind conditions from the Skagerrak (the stretch of water between Denmark and Norway) and into the Kattegat (between Denmark and Sweden), you’ll finally reach the archipelago where your Swedish adventures begin. Here you’ll have the chance to explore 100 miles of cruising grounds in protected waters, with lots of harbours and fishing villages with easy access, dotted all the way along.

FJÄLLBACKA

The pretty fishing harbour of Fjällbacka is worth stopping off at, or slightly further south, Smögen, which Nordström says is one of his favourite places when cruising: “It’s livelier than some places because it is a tourist attraction, but there is so much to see and it’s a real beauty spot. As with most places on this coast, mooring is not an issue. Smögen is noted for its long, wooden pier, about 600m (2,000 ft), and there are plenty of interesting shops in old fishing huts lining the quay. This place is also known for its fish, prawns and other seafood, and one of Sweden's few fish markets is located here. A good suggestion for lunch or dinner is Skärets Krog Restaurant & Piano Bar on Smögen Boardwalk, recommended for its classic, west coast flavours with a modern twist.”

The next stop should be Marstrand – known as the sailing capital of Sweden and host to many high-profile international regattas. It is worth a visit, not least because it is perfectly equipped to welcome visiting yachts. Nordström said: “It has a fantastic history and it’s possible to anchor any size yacht in the bay. There is also a combination of floating pontoons with mooring lines along the quayside, so you can easily moor an 80ft yacht there with no problem.”

Adding a tip on mooring procedures and visitors’ rights in Sweden, Nordström said: “Marstrand is one of the few places calling up a harbour master on VHF could work, but generally they are lousy to get hold of on VHF, so I recommend you call the marina directly on the cell phone. Many places like Marstrand have websites where you can reserve a berth online. The good thing is though, you can anchor anywhere in Sweden free of charge, and land with a tender on any island, even if privately owned, with thanks to the all man’s rights law.”

While cruising the archipelago, make sure you pay a visit to a visit to Åstols Gästhamn. Located just north of Gothenburg, this island has a charming marina nestled in the heart of the village, with space for 80 visiting yachts, most with bow mooring and long-side mooring. Nordström says it’s a great place to eat: “This island is one of my favourite places to visit for fresh fish and shellfish. One of the best places to eat is Rökeriet Åstol, a restaurant right on the water's edge overlooking the archipelago.”

For a real taste of Swedish island life, try Gullholmen, in Bohuslän's outer archipelago, which dates to the 13th century. This popular island is littered with old fishing cottages and boathouses that run right down to the water's edge. And, like most of the inhabited islands you visit in the archipelago, fish is the main dish on the menu.

MARSTRAND

SMÖGEN

GULLHOLMEN

GULLHOLMEN

SKÅL!

ÅSTOLS GÄSTHAMN

inally, as any seasoned sailor knows, it’s essential to stock up on provisions when any opportunity arises. Thankfully, most main marinas in Sweden have plenty of supermarkets, but it is worth remembering however, they don’t sell alcohol. To purchase alcohol in Scandinavia, you must go to a specific Wine Monopoly store. A visit to one of these stores as you arrive is the perfect time to embrace the Swedish tradition of Akvavit – the typical Swedish spirit for raising a toast – and Swedish punch –the essential accompaniment for dessert and coffee.GOTHENBERG

It was only a matter of time before serial world adventurers Miguel and Carmen Garcia embarked on their third global voyage. With no expiry date on their ‘ticket’ and their brand-new Oyster 595/03 to enjoy, there is no doubt this intrepid duo is living the dream, writes Sue Pelling.

Sailing off into the sunset around the world takes a lot of guts and is certainly not a decision one would take lightly. For the Garcias – Miguel (69) and Carmen (67) – from Valencia, however, it was more of a natural process that began more than 35 years ago when they bought their first boat – a 28ft cruiser. Although they were new to sailing then, their passion for adventure started early, enjoying family holidays spent on the boat with their son Pablo, cruising the Balearic Islands and other destinations like Sicily and Sardinia.

With sailing now very much part of their lives and the thrill of adventure becoming a bit of an addiction, they upgraded to a larger yacht – a Wauquiez 43 PS named NUTELLA – and cruised it extensively in the Mediterranean. The opportunities for cruising and adventure opened up further because they decided to move to Brazil. They took the boat with them and enjoyed cruising to new territories along the São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro coast. The experience they

gained there put them in good stead for their next big adventure – their first global voyage. Miguel said it was well planned and they were excited to finally set off: “From Brazil, we sailed straight to the Caribbean, but probably the biggest experience for us first-timers was transiting the Panama Canal. We really felt we were on our way after that.”

But it wasn’t all playtime during that trip as they were both essentially still working, with Miguel running the family business producing specialist adhesives and glues. Having transited the Panama Canal and arriving in Bora Bora in French Polynesia, the Garcias realised that managing the business while sailing around the world was a bit of a juggling act: “It was work commitments that forced us to stop and therefore we only completed half the voyage on that occasion. It was the time of the financial crisis too, so there was no option for us other than to return and concentrate on work and sell the Wauquiez 43.”

“Naturally, it was an exciting day when the boat finally arrived from its journey from Ipswich to Gibraltar, but we were keen to set off around the world as soon as we finished our preparations.”

BELOW: TROPICAL ISLAND ON BAIA DE ILHA GRANDE, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL.

Enter the Oyster

With business forcing the Garcia family to relocate from Brazil to China, sailing was put on hold for a few years. Carmen, commenting on the situation, said: “It was a decision we had to go with and because it wasn’t feasible to sail in China, we stopped sailing for a while.”

In terms of sailing around the world, there was a certain amount of unfinished business to complete, so it wasn’t long before the Garcias were on the lookout for a new boat. Carmen, commenting on the next stage of their sailing adventures, said: “By the time we started sailing again in 2014, we were in the position to buy our first Oyster, a 56, and it was also more or less the time we both retired, so we then had plenty of free time.”

In choosing their next yacht, the Garcias said they were keen to buy a reliable, bluewater cruising yacht with a good pedigree, which is why they opted for an Oyster 56. “It was a super boat and ideal for what we needed and proved to be a great success because this was the boat we completed our first round-the-world voyage aboard, in 2017.”

Although they had notched up a huge amount of experience on their first global attempt, Miguel and Carmen decided to join the 2016/17 World Cruising Club World ARC rally, which turned out to be a good decision. Carmen added: “It was a new experience to sail with and enjoy sharing the company of others when visiting beautiful places in the world, like French Polynesia.”

Having finally circumnavigated the globe aboard their Oyster 56 and now hungry for further adventures, Miguel and Carmen were keen to upgrade once again, to a yacht with more space. Because they were effectively living on the boat full time and their plans included another round-the-world voyage, the Oyster 595 fitted the bill perfectly and it wasn’t long before the lines of 595/03 Aliena were on the drawing board.

One of the biggest decisions they made, however, was opting for a lifting keel. Miguel said that their extensive world cruising plans over the next few years will be enhanced immeasurably, enabling them to go anywhere: “Apart from the lifting keel and a few other preferences, Aliena is virtually a standard boat. That’s the beauty of Oyster as a company, they are exceptionally happy to accommodate ideas”.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

ARRIVING AT FERNANDO DE NORONHA ISLAND, BRAZIL, DURING THE XXXIII REFENO (INTERNATIONAL REGATTA RECIFE TO FERNANDO DE NORONHA).

RETURNING TO RIO DE JANEIRO FROM BAIA DE ILHA GRANDE (BIG ISLAND BAY) WITH THE STUNNING BACKDROP OF PEDRA DA GAVEA (GAVEA STONE).

THE GARCIA FAMILY AT IATE CLUBE DO RIO DE JANEIRO, ANGRA DOS REIS SITE.

SUNSET AT PORTO SANTO ANTONIO IN FERNANDO DE NORONHA.

“Apart from the lifting keel and a few other preferences, Aliena is virtually a standard boat. That’s the beauty of Oyster as a company, they are exceptionally happy to accommodate ideas.”

“We opted for the centreboard version because we are often in beautiful places in the world but our draft restriction with a fixed keel means we are unable to explore further up rivers and creeks. In Brazil, in the early part of our third, and latest, circumnavigation [in October 2022], it has been amazing because we’ve seen so much more. I think this, together with our choice of North Sails and the hydraulic furling system, will transform our sailing experience this time round.

The reason I like North Sails is because they apply their regatta advances in sail making to cruising, which means their cruising sails have regatta performance.”

Miguel’s excitement was heightened further when he explained his favourite gizmo on his new boat: “The decision to opt for the hydraulic furling system for the colour sails is one of the best decisions we made, and we would highly recommend it to everyone who wants to fly a cruise gennaker or Code Zero. It’s astounding! To remove one of these sails – approximately 300sq m – with the conventional, manual method, it would take 10-15 minutes of fighting with the sail, but with this system, it takes 15 seconds. Just press the button and away it goes.”

The Covid-19 pandemic meant the build of Aliena was extended by an additional six months, which led to an unfortunate delay in the start of their third world voyage. “The experience proved just how super-conscientious Oyster was in dealing with the pandemic's impact on the planned build schedule. The customer service and support were excellent and the company always kept us informed. I am still in contact with Luke Porter our Project Manager. He is a fantastic person and was very helpful all along the way. He understood what we wanted and did an excellent job on our boat,” Miguel added.

Third time round

The Garcias took delivery of Aliena in January 2022 and, although there was no rush, they were keen to set off as soon as they could with the idea to spend at least two to three years sailing around the world.

The Garcias said that because they wanted to finish this trip in Spain, they wanted to start there too, so to save time and to avoid having to sail across the Bay of Biscay from the UK at that time of year, they signed up a crew to deliver Aliena to Gibraltar. Miguel commented: “Naturally, it was an exciting day when the boat finally arrived from its journey from Ipswich to Gibraltar, but we were keen to set off around the world as soon as we finished our preparations.

“Our first stop was in Praia, Cape Verde, where our family joined us for ten days. When we left, we headed south to Fernando de Noronha. It is a beautiful island 200 miles from the Brazilian coast. Our next leg was to Recife, northeast of Brazil, then to Rio de Janeiro. We arrived there in June and stayed there for two months.”

While they were there, they signed up for the Recife to Fernando de Noronha regatta and surprised themselves. Carmen added: “We are solid cruising sailors and have no focus for racing but somehow, we did well. We finished third in our class and we won loads of trophies. For us, it was a case of not breaking anything and we were happy to cross the line half an hour late. It was lots of fun and a great start to our voyage.” After the regatta, they headed to Natal, the capital of Rio Grande do Norte, and enjoyed a couple of weeks anchored in the river in front of Natal Yacht Club before they set off on their next leg.

Joining up with the World Arc 2023 (Pacific)

Miguel said they plan to arrive in the Caribbean at the start of the season; the first stop is Trinidad and Tobago: “Although the idea of our world cruise is to make it as slow and relaxing as we can, and we don’t know when we’ll be back in Valencia, maybe 2025 or 2026, we have a bit of an immediate target because we’ve signed up to do the World ARC 2023 (Pacific). The aim is to spend a bit of time in Trinidad and Tobago doing maintenance, before sailing north to St Lucia, where we’ll meet with the rest of the fleet in February 2023.”

Deciding to join others on the Pacific route of the World ARC was something that Carmen was keen on: “I really promoted the idea of the World ARC event because it is so much more exciting when you arrive at new destinations in company. The nature of the event means you get to know other like-minded sailors before you set off and it is nice to share the experience and enjoy the camaraderie. We did the World ARC in 2016/17 but decided not to do it again this time because for us it is too fast, so we opted for the Pacific event, which we are looking forward to.”

Miguel said although the rally finishes in Australia, they plan to visit Vanuatu – an archipelago in the South

Pacific Ocean, about 1,000 miles east of Australia: “Once we bid farewell to the rest of the fleet, we then plan to sail to New Caledonia and then to New Zealand for Christmas next year [2023]. The plans from thereon in 2024, get a bit sketchy, but we’ll first head north-west to Australia, maybe return to Fiji, later likely Indonesia but I think it is then a case of deciding nearer the time.”

Favourite cruising destinations

With plenty of world cruising experience under their belts, Miguel had no hesitation explaining one of their favourite destinations, which is perfect for cruising: “For anyone contemplating a similar voyage, we would recommend spending as much time as possible in the Atolls in French Polynesia and the Society Islands. These are the most beautiful South Sea islands, with clear, vibrant blue water, white sand beaches and iconic Robinson Crusoe-style, palm tree-fringed islands in the middle of nowhere. The Marquesas Islands are also beautiful. Speaking of beautiful places to visit in the world, mention should also be made of Brazil and the fantastic tropical 365 islands near Rio, at Ilha Grande Bay. Although not necessarily the first place that springs to mind, this part of the tropics is perfect for cruising.”

“You

BELOW: ALIENA AT ANCHOR IN TARRAFAL BEACH, ILHA DE PRAIA, CABO VERDE ARQUIP É LAGO.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE

FROM TOP LEFT:

SUNSET AT IATE CLUBE

DO RIO DE JANEIRO, WITH CORCOVADO (CHRIST REDEEMER).

SUNSET IN FRONT OF LEBLON BEACH, RIO DE JANEIRO, MOUNTAIN DOIS IRMAOS (TWO BROTHERS).

ILHA DO ALGODAO (COTTON ISLAND), NEAR PARATI, BAIA DE ILHA GRANDE, RIO DE JANEIRO.

ALIENA AT ANCHOR IN FERNANDO DE NORONHA, DURING XXXIII REFENO.

PIER OF THE IATE CLUBE DO RIO DE JANEIRO, ANGRA DOS REIS SITE.

TROPICAL ISLAND ON BAIA DE ILHA GRANDE, RIO DE JANEIRO.

So far, so good

Having set off on their third global voyage, and spent over six months on her already, Miguel describes the transition from the Oyster 56 to the Oyster 595. “It’s the granddaughter of the 56,” he said. “Technologically and design-wise, the Oyster 595 is a much more advanced boat, but it didn’t take long to settle in. Like the 56, this boat [the Oyster 595] is also very well designed and built and everything works well. We are very pleased with Aliena and are delighted with the specification we decided upon. Everything is just slightly more comfortable with more room, and our centreboard and choice of sails are perfect for our cruising adventures.”

Oyster’s reputation as a luxury brand was naturally one reason they chose Oyster over other bluewater yachts of similar size, but it wasn’t just that said Miguel: “Having cruised extensively in our Oyster 56 and experienced strong winds and rough seas, I have no hesitation in saying you can count on an Oyster to take care of you. This is a characteristic of Oysters and the main reason why we chose Oyster in the first place.”

Carmen added: “She gives me so much confidence. In fact, I can honestly say I never have any fears or concerns of crossing the oceans because she is a strong boat and performs exceptionally well in the wildest of conditions.”

Top tips on bluewater adventures

Miguel and Carmen were keen to offer some advice to others contemplating bluewater adventures: “We are now on our third round-the-world cruise and we recommend it wholeheartedly because it is a fantastic experience, but I always say, you don’t need to go so far to have the same sort of enjoyment. "Whatever you do, whether it be a world voyage or a shorter cruise, enjoy the moment and know that when you are sailing, you will see more of the world because being on a boat allows you to go to places that would otherwise be impossible to visit.”

The timescale to fully enjoy a round-the-world voyage depends on the time available, but in Miguel’s opinion, you need 15-16 months minimumideally more. Miguel was also eager to point out

that choosing a proper, sensible route is important: “We are often asked if sailing around the world is dangerous. It’s a tricky question to answer but I always say that if you choose the proper route and minimise the risks it’s not so dangerous. “For first timers, we highly recommend joining the Oyster World Rally because the organisers do all the planning and they take you on the safest routes, whilst still visiting the most beautiful destinations imaginable.”

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: CARMEN ON BEACH AT PRAIA DO FORTE.

SUNSET IN FRONT OF LEBLON BEACH, MOUNTAIN DOIS IRMAOS.

ALIENA CHARGING UPWIND IN GLORIOUS CONDITIONS. STUNNING VIEWS OF SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN.

THE WELL-PROPORTIONED AND EXTREMELY VERSATILE OYSTER 595.

“Finally, if you do decide to head off around the world, one of the best pieces of advice we can offer is to choose a comfortable boat – ideally an Oyster –because it is your home!”

A WHISKY CREATED

SPIRIT AND TIME.

Part of our “Extremely Scarce” range. The Glenturret 30 Years Old has been shaped by three distinct distillery visionaries from both Scottish and French influence. This release, limited to only 750 bottles is drawn from eight casks: American Oak refills sweet and fruity evolving over time, European Oak first fill adds depth, vibrancy, and texture. These cask influences brought together create this luxuriant single malt.

When Trevor Hill started thinking about refitting his Oyster 725/01 Intrepid, for the Oyster World Rally 2022-23, he decided to completely rebuild the yacht’s power systems to reduce reliance on fossil fuel, while also increasing self-sufficiency and range. A former marine systems engineer with the Royal Canadian Navy, later a serial entrepreneur, Hill knew the technology existed to sail silently across oceans, while still being able to enjoy every on board comfort, but it would take a new approach.

His answer was a system with highcapacity, lithium-ion battery banks, generator and inverters, topped off with solar panels permanently installed on a lightweight hard top. The green energy derived from what he calls his ‘solar bimini’ has been transformative, drastically reducing the runtime and servicing of all the mechanical systems and giving hour after hour of silent running. From both the environmental and practical standpoint, it is a winner. “We think we could sail across the whole of the Pacific and arrive with 80-90% of our fuel capacity left,” says Hill.

His starting point was to replace the boat’s ageing gel batteries with 12 lithium-ion batteries of 200 a/h each. He calculated that while on passage, with an estimated steady state load of 40-50a, Intrepid would then be able to sail for 48 hours on battery power alone.

“Then,” he adds, “I started to think that I could augment that further with solar power and last even longer.”

He says he thought: “How can we improve a cockpit with average functionality, which has a dodger with a bimini over it? Waves sometimes came through and we wanted to improve that. We had the idea of making a hard bimini and thought it could be large enough for a significant number of solar panels yet also sexy enough to be a real contributor.”

Hill worked with Oyster Palma to commission a hard top design made in carbon. Between them, Oyster, BMComposites and Electromarine, they designed and created a fully integrated, permanent carbon bimini large enough to carry 2,200w of solar panels.

As well as looking sleek and fitting with the lines of the yacht, the bimini features a windscreen that increases shelter and warmth in the cockpit during inclement conditions. To top it all off, the interior was fitted out with speakers and mood lighting.

The magic of solar power

Although solar energy is the magic ingredient in Intrepid’s power system, Trevor also set out to increase or optimise every other element. He upgraded the engine alternator to a 320a unit and doubled the number of chargers on the genset. The electrical configuration was changed so that the new batteries could power much more of the yacht’s systems through three new 4,000w inverters and an auxiliary inverter, giving a total 17,000w of power.

The yacht’s air conditioning, watermaker and main systems were switched over to run on a primary bus. This means, says Hill, “that if I have guests on board, for example, we can run air con in the cabins without the engine or generator running and that doesn’t draw much power.”

In October 2021, Trevor and Judy Hill left Palma on the first leg of their circumnavigation, sailing out of the Mediterranean to Madeira and the Canary Islands before crossing the Atlantic in November and then joining the Oyster

World Rally. By the end of 2022, they had reached South Africa and have been able to gauge how their power generation solutions work over the long haul.

Hill says that when they are passage making, they can go for 60 hours on battery power, topped up only with solar power, provided they don’t run the air con. “That’s all the ship’s load plus autopilot, winches, etc,” he says. “At peak sun, the solar panels are well capable of running these and adding modestly to the batteries. To charge the batteries from near empty to full, however, we need about four hours on the generator and closer to 8 or 10 on the engine alternator.

“But because we built in the capacity to put all the ship’s load on the new inverter bank, we can run everything, from air con, watermaker and appliances to ship’s load, from the batteries at all times. This has allowed us to use air con in the cabins during passages, which we started with gradually but has now become constant.

In the heat of the tropics. This was a spectacular benefit to all and made for very comfortable cabins at 22-23°C.

“This is much more power hungry, but still, we only need to run the generator for four hours in a 24 hour period.”

He adds: “The conversion has allowed us to make and store energy much more efficiently but also use it in ways that few yachts of our class can. All in all, the upgrades we made to the electrical system have been excellent and we have used them all, continuously.”

Silent Power

How can we improve a cockpit that isn’t super functional, which has a dodger with a bimini over it? We had the idea of making a hard bimini and thought it could be large enough for a significant number of solar panels yet also sexy enough to be a real contributor.

WORLD CLASS SERVICE

When we say you’re never alone on an Oyster, it’s true. When you buy an Oyster, you become more than just an owner, you’re joining the family and can be reassured that our legendary After Sales service and Technical Support is with you for the journey. Dee Addy leads the After Sales team and we caught up with her to discover what makes our team and services world-class.

The Technical Support team are incredibly helpful, always providing detail, insights, technical documents and guidance when needed. They respond immediately to enquiries and, when offshore or at dock, this input is often critical to situations that need understanding and resolution.

OWNER OF OYSTER 575/42 UNTETHERED

Tell us about what your role involves.

I head up the Oyster After Sales team based in Southampton, Wroxham and Ipswich. We provide a one-stop service for Oyster owners, sourcing parts of all shapes and sizes for every Oyster yacht built. To date, we’ve never failed to deliver!

There’s a lot of practical work that goes into after sales, including ordering, packing and shipping parts all over the world. The most rewarding aspect of the job is building relationships with our owners and promptly meeting any requirement they may have.

What attracted you to Oyster?

I lived in Guernsey and then South Africa, before settling in Suffolk to work in Oyster’s Accounts department at Fox’s Marina in Ipswich. I soon moved into After Sales and relocated to Wroxham. I’ve done a bit of sailing and I know a lot about boats, especially Oysters! If I was ever on Mastermind, my specialist subject would be ‘Oyster Yachts – all parts for all models’.

What service does the After Sales team provide to owners?

We provide a one-stop support shop for all Oyster owners throughout their ownership. Providing spares and bespoke parts, we endeavour to ship them out in the quickest and safest way possible, to anywhere in the world. We post most of our orders straight from Oyster Wroxham and source, pack and ship them ourselves to make sure the owners get the highest quality service. Owners and skippers contact us with their parts shopping list and we do the rest.

If I was ever on Mastermind, my specialist subject would be ‘Oyster Yachts – all parts for all models’.

OWNER OF OYSTER 62/20 UHURU

The members of the After Sales team clearly have a varied job, tell us more about what is involved…

Working in After Sales is really rewarding but it’s not an easy job. Behind the scenes, there are various elements involved; research and gathering information; sourcing the correct parts; ordering; packing; and shipping. The team is part client support and part detective – working to find a specific part for a specific boat that could be up to 49 years old takes time and effort, but when you get that lightbulb moment – which we always do – it is so worth it!

One member of the team, Polly Dawson, is based in Southampton and Kate Pryce (who used to be an Oyster boat builder), Paul Norris and myself are based in Wroxham. Working from the yards means we have additional support from other departments, which is invaluable when working on a challenging order. Our final member of the team, Jacqui Evans, works in Ipswich where our new yachts are handed over. In the last five years, we have bought and shipped parts to over 500 different yachts worldwide – it’s a huge task that requires lots of planning and juggling of time –there’s certainly never a dull day in the office!

The team is part client support and part detective – working to find a specific part for a specific boat that could be up to 49 years old takes time and effort, but when you get that lightbulb moment it is so worth it!

So, the team can support any Oyster, regardless of their age, model or where they are in the world?

Absolutely – we are a fully global service, supporting every Oyster owner, no matter how old their yacht or model is. That’s part of what makes the job so interesting!

One day we are supporting the handover of a brand-new Oyster 565 and the next, we are trying to source a specific hinge replacement for an over 30years old Holman and Pye model – I’ve never worked on a job this varied and exciting!

The earlier boats are truly stunning and are so well-crafted that they still sail amazingly now. The owners of these boats adore them, so we work hard to make

I spoke to Oyster at 9am and at 11am I got a confirmation that my part will be in Annapolis in two days. I appreciate your amazing service, your kind nature and expertise.

OWNER OF OYSTER 56/47 SV GRATEFUL

The legendary Oyster After Sales was one of the key drivers behind me buying an Oyster and now

I have worked closely with them in supporting Uhuru’s circumnavigation, they are the reason my next purchase will be another Oyster.

They bring order and simplicity to the complex task of maintaining a yacht underway in far-flung locations and are my lifeline when we need parts in an emergency.

sure they can stay on the water for another 50 years of adventure.

Sourcing parts for older boats takes lots of time and research as it’s not as simple as looking down a list on our records. Oysters do share some common components, but each build also has a lot of customised parts too, so looking for specific replacements can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, but it’s so worth it when we get a solution.

The earlier boats are truly stunning and are so well-crafted that they still sail amazingly now, so we work hard to make sure they can stay on the water for another 50 years of adventure.

As for supporting Oysters wherever they are in the world – absolutely. We are a completely international service and keep a range of spares like pumps, service kits, anodes and filters, in our offices so that we can ship them immediately when required. No matter where you are, we will strive to get your orders to a convenient place for you, as quickly as we can.

You’ve been described by owners as “the best After Sales team in the world”, why do you think that is?

We genuinely care about every Oyster owner like they are family – and as a team, we work hard to build strong relationships and develop trust in our service. Owners know we are reliable and speedy and we are proud of that reputation. The relationships we build with our owners are so important. Our goal is to always do our absolute best for them by going above and beyond.

We strongly believe that we are the best in the industry for overall support for bluewater cruising yachts and this support stands out to anyone who is looking to buy an Oyster. Buying and sailing a yacht is a huge undertaking but knowing that the After Sales team is just a call away feels like having a safety net around you.

Knowing that you’re never alone and that we will do our utmost to support you, wherever you are in the world, is such reassurance for the Oyster family.

Are there any stand-out requests that you have met while working at Oyster? We did ship out a drum kit to Antigua for an Oyster World Rally boat a few years ago, which is not one of our usual After Sales services!

In short, the After Sales service provided by Oyster is brilliant. It is an essential consolidated service with a helpful and friendly team for the initial kit-out of the yacht as well as continued support for any items or spares required.

OWNER OF OYSTER 55/19 BOTONY BAY

What is so special about the level of service we offer owners?

Once the boat is handed over, owners know that we’re not saying goodbye to them – we stay connected until the day they leave the Oyster family, which for many is never and that relationship is unique in our industry!

We also provide support for the Oyster World Rally – when we say it’s a fullysupported circumnavigation, we really mean it. Completing a lap of the world is a massive undertaking, you can never predict what will happen or what conditions you might encounter. We offer the fleet expert advice on what spares they are likely to need, especially for longer passages like the Pacific crossing, provide them with as many parts as they want and help prepare them for all situations.

We stay connected until the day they leave the Oyster family, which for many is never!

And finally, what is so special about working for Oyster?

I love the challenge of my job and the reward I feel when I get that eureka moment! There’s a real sense of pride in the After Sales department, which is reflected around the business. We all work hard for each other and even harder for our owners, I’m lucky to have such a great team who put themselves out there and constantly go above and beyond to deliver exceptional service to our owners.

OWNER OF OYSTER 55/19 BOTANY BAY

It is wonderful to have Oyster After Sales support!

It truly makes owning an Oyster a joy in my life.

NEW LAUNCHES

Over the years, we have launched hundreds of new Oysters into the world and that feeling of joy never gets old. The excitement and delight on the faces of the proud new owners is fantastic to see - whether it is their first Oyster or their third or fourth.

What unites them is the realisation of the dream of owning an outstanding bluewater yacht that is capable of everything from coastal cruising in home waters to a full-blown circumnavigation of the globe with the Oyster World Rally. Some owners are bitten by the Oyster bug at a young age and others come to us later in life, sometimes with the ocean in their blood, sometimes as complete novices. We welcome everyone – anyone who loves our yachts and the sea becomes part of our ever-growing Oyster family.

We work hard to make the experience of commissioning and building an Oyster a deeply engaging and immersive. Your personal Project Manager will guide you through every step, bringing their expertise to everything from interior finishes to the latest sailing technology. They are at your side for every decision and will be at the build yard to welcome you when you come to see your yacht in progress.

Owners often discover a deeper connection with their boat when they meet our designers, master craftspeople and project managers. Seeing first-hand the time-honoured craft skills and attention to detail that goes into every element of their yacht can be a memorable and moving experience. Adding personal details to the design and finish cements the bond before the yacht has even touched water.

But the build is just the beginning of the story – the rest is there for you to write, whether you are looking for adventure on the high seas or just want to anchor in secluded bays and soak up the sun. Whatever your motivations, we hope thse stories of our recent new owners and their Oyster yachts will inspire you to join us.

OYSTER 495/03 SEASHELLS III

OWNER: GRAHAM AND HELEN WOOD PROJECT MANAGER: OLIVER ESSEX

HANDOVER: OCTOBER 2022

As the proud owner of an Oyster 46, Graham Wood has been part of the Oyster family for many years. With 29 Oyster 46s launched between 2005-2012, this Rob Humphreys designed replacement for the 45/47, with its wider beam aft, larger owner’s cabin, longer waterline and bigger rig, foreshadowed the design of the new Oyster 495. Not surprisingly, when Graham decided to upgrade to his next yacht, he picked the new generation 495.

“Having had nothing but great experiences with our 46 and the unrivalled support the company offered us during our ownership, it wasn’t a difficult choice,” he told us. “I ordered the 495 off plan before she was launched,” he continued. “I had great confidence in what Oyster would produce in terms of the design, build, attention to detail and craftsmanship that goes into these yachts. After Eddie Jordan, I was the first customer to buy one!”

Her manageable size was important – perfect for the couple to cruise on their own – along with the simple functionality and classic Oyster deck and cockpit layout. She boasts all the classic Oyster design cues, with the latest advances in technology and finishes. Following a trip to the Caribbean in December, Graham and his wife plan to focus on cruising in the Mediterranean with their family, including a growing crew of grandchildren.

PROJECT MANAGER’S COMMENTS:

Graham knew what he was looking for when he chose the 495, a fantastic example of the new generation Oysters, in both performance and style. The owners chose stylish, satin varnished oak joinery throughout, with walnut and holly soles. The interiors offer the high standards of comfort and luxury the owners wanted, fitted out for ease of use, from the u-shaped galley to the beautiful ensuite guest cabins. Oyster’s reputation for safety and reliability was key to the owners’ decision to choose the 495.

Graham wished to consider the environmental impact of his new yacht, so 495/03 features a first for Oyster – a Flexiteek deck. This is a synthetic alternative to teak, made from polymers that are moulded to look and behave like traditional wood. It is longlasting and 35% lighter than natural wood, which also benefits performance.

The handover took place on the Solent on a beautiful October day. We set out from the harbour in light winds, which built to a nice afternoon sea breeze that gave the owners a good feel for how their yacht handles. Graham and his wife were very pleased with her, commenting on her great lines and lovely bright interiors below decks.

I am very happy with the design – the cockpit and the owner’s cabin are best in class. She handles very well… and can be sailed safely by a couple which is important for us.

GRAHAM WOOD

OYSTER 565/10 HERMIONE III

OWNERS: PHILIP AND SARAH YARROW PROJECT MANAGER: LUKE PORTER HANDOVER: AUGUST 2022

Experienced sailors Philip and Sarah Yarrow were looking for a larger yacht that they could comfortably sail around the world on their post-retirement adventures. They had long considered an Oyster with one important factor in mind. “We considered many other yachts but nothing matched Oyster’s build quality,” explained Philip. The chance to take part in a voyage of a lifetime such as the Oyster World Rally settled it, and they chose the impressive, awardwinning 565. Not only can they handle her easily themselves, but there is also an abundance of space for friends and family to join their adventures.

Next summer, the couple plan to take Hermione III to explore the Balearics and then participate in the Oyster Palma Regatta in September. They will sail to the Canaries for the ARC in November, before setting sail in the Oyster World Rally from Antigua in January 2024.

“We have always dreamed of sailing around the world,” Sarah told us. “Oyster are helping us achieve that dream. We are very excited, and the Oyster team is guiding us through the process with expert training and helping us to find an experienced crew. Of course, they have also built us a truly beautiful yacht with which to undertake this adventure!”

On the build itself, Philip commented: “It is so unusual to experience a project where everything is so smoothly orchestrated. We have been blown away by all the small details – we had not

expected the designer cutlery, bespoke crockery or the dining chairs hidden beneath the companionway. Or the amazing convenience of having all the yacht’s system manuals uploaded onto a tablet for us. So many things were above and beyond expectation.”

“We’d like to say a special thank you to our fantastic project manager, Luke Porter,” adds Sarah. “He has been an invaluable guide to help us achieve our dream of sailing around the world.”

PROJECT MANAGER’S COMMENTS

The owners specified Hermione III with the idea of circumnavigating in comfort, aboard a real home from home. At the same time, everything is set up for shorthanded sailing, with powered winches and an extensive sail locker, perfect whether they are island hopping in the Mediterranean or crossing the Pacific.

Philip and Sarah really enjoyed the build process. They appreciated the team’s meticulous attention to detail, and they brought their own ideas to the look of the yacht, the interior finishes and the colour scheme. Sarah set her heart on a navy hull and, after much discussion, we moulded the hull in white and then finished her with a stunning navy wrap. Below decks, they chose a striking walnut interior with beautiful, contrasting soft furnishings to create an elegant and inviting space. They also added practical details to make her perfect for bluewater adventures, including a watermaker, fuel polisher and an upgraded electrical system with a hydro-generator to capture renewable power.

We are delighted with Hermione, and she has far exceeded our expectations on many, many levels. But beyond that, it has been the attention to detail and genuine kindness of the Oyster team that has made our build experience really wonderful.

PHILLIP YARROW

OYSTER 565/11 BERNOULLI

OWNER: MARTIN AND TARA PERRY PROJECT MANAGER: OLIVER ESSEX

HANDOVER: OCTOBER 2022

To say Martin and Tara Perry are close personal friends of Oyster is something of an understatement. In fact, they were our first charter booking when our service started over 20 years ago, with Oyster’s now COO, Paul Adamson, as skipper. Over the years, they have chartered Oysters in the Mediterranean and Caribbean and enjoyed fantastic adventures on them. As fans of the combination of luxury, strength and sailing capability of Oysters, there was only one choice when they decided to invest in their own yacht.

“I always promised myself a boat when I was sure that she would not be left in a marina and we had time to make the boat a full part of our lifestyle. As I turned 60 this year, it was time to reprioritise and leave my business interests to others!”

The 565 ticked all the boxes for the couple – most importantly, she is manageable with two people and without a crew.

“She makes a very comfortable home for two people; with everything you could need on board. She has excellent sailing capability with scope for downwind sails and plenty of space for visitors and family.” At first, they believed they had over-ordered on spares, toys and extras but everything has been stored so easily, leaving ample room in the lazarette for what Martin calls “the much-debated bean bag.”

Martin chose the name Bernoulli in honour of Swiss mathematician and physicist Daniel Bernoulli, whose eponymous principle explains how airflow and negative pressure create a sail’s driving force.

PROJECT MANAGER’S COMMENTS

With so much experience with Oyster yachts, the owners had very strong ideas about how they wanted theirs to look and feel. Martin completed an Atlantic Crossing on 565-01 Panthalassa in 2021 and became very familiar with the boat, which gave him confidence in his choice of the 565.

The handover took place in Ipswich on a very sunny, warm October day, starting with a light beat out of the harbour with lunch underway. As the sea breeze filled in, we sailed back into Felixstowe under spinnaker – as good as it gets. I’m sure Bernoulli himself would have been impressed with the perfect demonstration of his principle!

In the short term, the owners are heading to Palma, Mallorca, where they have friends and the Oyster Service team, whom they expect to be invaluable as they settle in and tweak Bernoulli’s set-up. From there they will visit old haunts in Greece and then make an Atlantic crossing for a season or more in the Caribbean and possibly beyond.

I am waking up with a smile on my face every morning and I can’t wait to get more sailing miles under our keel. Living aboard is a pleasure and I am very happy with my new second home.

MARTIN PERRY

OYSTER 595/06 MASTEGOT

OWNERS: PAU AND HELENA SERRACANTA PROJECT MANAGER: OLIVER ESSEX HANDOVER: AUGUST 2022

Proud owners of Oyster 595/06 Mastegot, Pau and Helena are both avid surfers, with a passion for the sea and nature. After owning an Oyster 575, they knew exactly what they wanted from their next yacht: simplicity; reliability; and no compromise on performance or style. They have big plans – to live aboard for the next couple of years while they prepare for and take part in the Oyster World Rally in January 2024.

595/06 is the seventh sailboat they have owned – and their second Oyster – since they fell in love with Oyster 30 years ago when they saw a brochure at a friend’s house. They picked Oyster for its reputation as the maker of the best quality bluewater yachts; the once-in-a-lifetime Oyster World Rally; excellent After Sales support; and (in Pau’s words) the “stunning” Oyster Palma Services.

“We chose the 595 because we are very comfortable managing it by ourselves without a crew,” Pau told us. “We saw great improvements in performance with the twin rudders, sail locker, the hydraulic furling system for Code Zero, the gennaker at the bowsprit and many other features. These all make her an excellent boat to sail shorthanded.”

The couple has already put Mastegot through her paces, sailing from Ipswich to Palma almost nonstop with “excellent performance”. Once in Palma, they joined the Oyster Palma Regatta in September and won Class 4 overall, even with a hydro generator fitted!

PROJECT MANAGER’S COMMENTS

With her grey hull and grey teak caulking (a first for Oyster), paired with a suite of 3Di Ocean sails from North Sails, Mastegot looks very smart out on the water. Down below, she boasts a light and airy oak interior, complemented by neutral colours running throughout.

Pau and Helena were absolutely delighted with her, especially the improved sailing performance of Oyster’s new generation yachts. Initially, they were unsure whether she was too big for shorthanded sailing – the freeboard is much higher than their previous Oyster but during the handover they found her very easy to sail, even at 10.3 knots. Everything they need for long ocean passages and a lifetime of adventure is here.

They will be cruising the Balearics until the start of November, heading home to Barcelona for winter and then setting off to explore Sardinia, Sicily, the Aeolian Islands and Greece. In early September, they will leave the Mediterranean, sailing to Madeira and the Canary Islands. From there, they will join the ARC+ via Cape Verde, arriving in Antigua for the start of the Oyster World Rally 2024-25.

And then? As Pau says, “who knows, we will be sailing Mastegot somewhere!”

After all our experiences so far, we can confirm she is a safe and fast boat. And we fully agree with Oyster’s claim that their yachts are ‘beyond expectation’!

PAU SERRACANTA

OYSTER 595/07 JUPITER

PROJECT MANAGER: DEBBIE SCOUGALL

HANDOVER: OCTOBER 2022

The proud owners of 595/07 Jupiter have previously owned large power boats, but they and their three children are keen dingy sailors and are looking forward to seeing how the whole family adapts to sailing life. There is already talk amongst them of taking on the greatest sailing adventure of them all – a circumnavigation with the Oyster World Rally in 2026, for which their beautiful 595 is perfectly equipped.

The couple initially considered three different models - the 495, 565 and 595. They then saw the beautiful, rendered CGI images of the 595’s walnut interior, which spoke to their sense of style and captured their imaginations. This clinched the deal and, working closely with the Oyster team, they set about bringing the CGI images to life to create the exact look and feel they wanted for their yacht. They specified a light finish for worktops in the galley and the ensuite bathrooms, along with lighter-coloured upholstery, all of which contrast beautifully with the dark walnut timber that runs throughout the yacht.

Jupiter is set up for the owners to make the most of their short Mediterranean trips. They have specified all sorts of additional technology and features to guarantee they have lots of fun on, in and around the water. The lazarette is equipped with electric chargers for the children’s Flite boards, with stowage for their Jet Rib and electric fishing reels. Davits have also been fitted

to carry a regular RIB to ferry friends and family from the shore to Jupiter when required. For the finishing touch to the onboard entertainment systems, they specified additional speakers on the aft deck.

PROJECT MANAGER’S COMMENTS

A delighted owner and his family took ownership of this beautiful 595 at the beginning of October. Following a successful handover, when they were given an in-depth introduction to their new boat, the Oyster Commissioning Team helped the owner and his crew export her to Guernsey. From there, she sailed across a boisterous Bay of Biscay, with winds of up to 40 knots. The owner was really impressed with how the boat handled and the comfort on board despite the rough weather. They continued their voyage down to Malta and then onto the Real Club Náutico de Palma.

It was an exciting challenge for our team to exactly match the attention to detail and quality finish captured in the CGI images but our designers and craftspeople excelled. The couple were keen to minimise clutter on the navigation stations, so chose to fit larger B&G screens to display maximum sailing data in one place. They also specified an Apple XDR monitor above the chart table so they could take part in business meetings while living on board. In the saloon, they chose the adjustable table that lowers to become a daybed – the perfect place for some chillout time with the family.

OYSTER 675/06 PACIFICA

OWNERS: MARTIN AND BETTINA SPRING PROJECT MANAGER: GARETH ALLAN

HANDOVER: JULY 2022

Martin Spring and his family are long-standing members of the Oyster family, having previously owned an Oyster 575 for several years. Martin is very much an ’owner/driver’ and went to great lengths to put simplicity at the heart of every decision. The family has also been deeply involved in the styling and interior design to create an outstanding, personalised Oyster yacht.

Pacifica features a standard 675 layout, with three double cabins and the aft starboard cabin converted to a workshop. The interiors are finished in beautiful rich walnut, with walnut sole boards with ash inlays throughout, designed by Martin and his wife.

The owner’s cabin features a deep buttoned, full-width headboard in distressed denim leather, adding huge character to the space. In the saloon, the couple chose a clever rise-and-fall dining table, which rotates and lowers to also act as a coffee table.

As a keen skipper, Martin insisted on choosing a set of advanced North Sails 3Di Ocean sails, originally developed for racing which are now revolutionising the cruising capabilities of bluewater yachts. There is also a North Sails Helix structured luff furling gennaker and a parasailer for sailing the deeper downwind angles, all of which add to the already excellent sailing capability of this

impressive 675. A Sur Marine ST 310 tender lives on the davits and is the perfect size to allow them to operate the passerelle without having to lower the tender.

PROJECT MANAGER’S COMMENT

We handed Pacifica over to Martin and his eldest son Alain during a glorious week of summer weather in July 2022. This was the first time Martin had seen her finished and he was over the moon with the exceptional build quality, master craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail of the interior design, together with the high-level specification of equipment throughout the yacht. In relatively light breezes, he was delighted with how quickly the boat slipped through the water, touching close to 10 knots with the furling gennaker deployed.

Following the handover, Pacifica was exported to Guernsey in fantastic sailing weather. An easterly 20 knot breeze powered her along under full main and jib, reaching 9.5 to 10 knots with ease, before switching to the furling gennaker as the breeze dropped.

I am pleased to report the boat and systems performed effortlessly (as they should!), giving the owners confidence as they set sail to cross the Bay of Biscay and cruise down the coast of Portugal.

GARETH ALLAN

Martin was over the moon with the exceptional build quality, master craftsmanship and Oyster’s renowned attention to detail.

Life-changing, globe-conquering, award-winning adventure machines. The Oyster fleet is home to the world’s finest bluewater sailing yachts.

For over 50 years, Oyster has built extraordinary bluewater yachts, with a dedication to visionary design and build expertise. Today, we continue to push the envelope of yacht design and technology, creating versatile and adaptable, luxury sailing yachts.

We design, build and support the finest bluewater cruising yachts in the world, with a meticulous attention to detail. Our DNA is rooted in over 20 million bluewater nautical miles and more than 90 circumnavigations. Over the last five decades, we have refined our sailing boats

to create yachts that are capable of taking you safely to the remotest corners of the world, in comfort and luxury. Developed by sailors for sailors, the quality of these liveaboard boats is beyond expectation. You can find out more about the Oyster fleet over the following pages.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length overall including stemhead 16.1m / 52’8”

Length of hull 15.15m / 49’7”

Beam 4.77m / 15’8”

Draft - Standard keel | Optional shoal keel 2.28m / 7’5” | 1.83m / 6’0”

Displacement (Lightship) 21,000 kg / 46,297 lbs

Overall sail area (in-mast furling) 117.46m2/1,264 ft 2

Overall sail area (fully battened mainsail) 126.43m2/1,361ft 2

Typical engine Yanmar 4JH110

Fuel tank 800 litres / 211 US gals

Water tank 600 litres / 159 US gals

Air draft (excluding antennae) 22.77m / 74’9”

The new Oyster 495 is a luxury, bluewater cruiser, with half a century of Oyster experience and innovation running through her every inch. She combines innovative design, excellent sailing characteristics, quality materials and superb British craftsmanship in a thoroughly modern 50 foot sailing yacht.

Key features:

Three cabin configuration

Available in five alternative interior styles

Electric cassette bathing platform

Owner’s cabin featuring signature triple Seascape windows

Twin rudders, standard and shoal keel options

565

yacht for

SPECIFICATIONS

Length overall including stemhead 18.09m / 59’3”

Length of hull 17.22m / 56’6”

Beam 5.13m / 16’10”

Draft - standard keel 2.50m / 8’ 2”

Displacement - standard keel 27,570kg / 60,780lb

Typical engine Yanmar 4LV-150 110kW (150hp)

Tanks - fuel 950 litres / 208 Imp Gallons (250 US gals)

Tanks - water 730 litres / 160 Imp Gallons (192 US gals)

Sail area - including 110% foretriangle (IMF) 152.00m2 / 1638ft 2

Sail area - including 110% foretriangle (Slab reef) 160.00m2 / 1722ft 2

Air draft approx, excluding antennae 25.04m / 82’2”

The award-winning sub-60 foot Oyster 565 features Oyster’s iconic styling, luxurious liveaboard interiors and exceptional standards of craftsmanship. She boasts a powerful sail plan which makes for effortless shorthanded sailing. Well appointed, she is capable of fast, consistent cruising speeds.

Key features:

Three cabin configuration, plus workroom

Hydraulic push-button, in-mast furling

Alternative interior layouts and wood finishes available

Twin rudder and standard keel Lloyd’s Register certified hull and deck

595

A yacht for all oceans

The new Oyster 595, a 60 foot sailing yacht capable of great things.

Sail plan, deck plan and interior layouts shown, represent standard configurations. For more information on options, contact our sales team. Their details can be found on page 96.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length overall including stemhead 19.05m / 62’6”

Length of hull 18.14m / 59’6”

Beam 5.36m / 17’7”

Draft - standard keel 2.68m / 8’10”

Draft - centreboard up | centreboard down 1.79m / 5’10” | 4.06m / 13’4”

Displacement - standard keel 30,807kg / 67,918lbs

Typical engine Yanmar 4LV-150 110kW (150hp)

Tanks - fuel 1,345 litres / 295 Imp Gallons (355 US gals)

Tanks - water 1,004 litres / 220 Imp Gallons (265 US gals)

Sail area - including 110% foretriangle (IMF) 167.00m2 / 1798ft 2

Sail area - including 110% foretriangle (Slab reef) 177.00m2 / 1905ft 2

Air draft approx, excluding antennae 26.81m / 88’0”

This 60 foot sailing yacht is wellproportioned and extremely versatile, offering high quality, customised build options with no compromise. An entirely new model, the 595’s design was informed by owners and design features distilled from our larger yachts. No surprise then that Oyster DNA runs through her from stem to stern.

Key features:

Four cabin configuration

Hydraulic push-button, in-mast furling Alternative interior layouts available Twin rudders, centreboard or fixed keel options

Lloyd’s Register certified hull and deck

675

For the adventurous at heart

The triple Seascape and Skyscape windows offer spectacular views from the saloon, making it a light and airy place to relax.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length overall including stemhead 21.07m / 69’2”

Length of hull 19.89m / 65’3”

Beam 5.65m / 18’6”

Draft - standard keel 2.95m / 9’8”

Displacement - standard keel 40,787kg / 89,920lbs

Typical engine Volvo Penta D4-180 132kW (180hp)

Tanks - fuel 1,780 litres / 391 Imp Gallons (470 US gals)

Tanks - water 1,270 litres / 279 Imp Gallons (335 US gals)

Sail area - including 106% foretriangle (IMF) 225.00m2 / 2422ft 2

Sail area - including 106% foretriangle (Slab reef) 234.00m2 / 2519ft 2

Air draft approx, excluding antennae 29.91m / 98’ 2”

The Oyster 675 offers the perfect combination of size and practicality in a sub-70 foot yacht. With her automated sailing systems, she can be sailed shorthanded, delivering exhilarating cruising and consistently fast passage making speeds. Below decks, she is spacious and well appointed, accommodating eight in luxury.

Key features:

Four cabins, two double en-suite Separate crew quarters (optional)

Air-conditioning

Alternative interior layouts available Lloyd’s Register certified hull and deck

745

Built for very big adventures

The fine balance between bluewater DNA and handcrafted superyacht luxury means the 745 has more than enough space for any expedition.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length overall including stemhead 22.74m / 74’7”

Length of hull 21.93m / 71’11”

Beam 5.91m / 19’5”

Draft - standard keel 3.10m / 10’2”

Draft - centreboard up | centreboard down 1.98m / 6’6” | 4.56m / 14’11”

Displacement - standard keel 53,957kg / 118,955lbs

Typical engine Cummins Turbo-charged QSB6.7-250 184kW (247hp)

Tanks - fuel 2,000 litres / 440 Imp Gallons (528 US gals)

Tanks - water 1,500 litres / 330 Imp Gallons (396 US gals)

Sail area - including 106% foretriangle 279m2 / 3007ft 2

Air draft approx, excluding antennae 32.49m / 106’ 7”

At just under 75 foot, the Oyster 745 is an extremely versatile, long range, bluewater cruising yacht.

She offers huge scope for customisation, from an extended transom, super shallowdraft centreboard keel, through to a variety of layout solutions below decks.

Key features:

Five cabins, four double en-suite

Separate crew quarters

Large storage and tankage

Forced air ventilation system

Alternative interior layouts available Lloyd’s Register certified hull and deck Centreboard or fixed keel options

885 SII

Designed to open up new horizons

SPECIFICATIONS

Length overall including stemhead 27.08m / 88’10”

Length of hull 26.06m / 85’6”

Beam 6.33m / 20’9”

Draft - standard keel 3.50m / 11’6”

Displacement - standard keel 71,500kg / 157,630lbs

Typical engine Cummins Turbo-charged QSL-330 246kW (330hp)

Tanks - fuel 3,500 litres / 770 Imp Gallons (925 US gals)

Tanks - water 2,000 litres / 440 Imp Gallons (528 US gals)

Sail area - including 106% foretriangle 387.19m2 / 4,168ft 2

Air draft approx, excluding antennae 37.15m / 121’ 10”

The Oyster 885 Series II is the ultimate 90 foot bluewater cruising yacht.

Designed and engineered to deliver exhilarating sailing performance, comfort, safety and luxurious living and entertaining space – the 885 is a home-from-home anywhere in the world.

Key features:

Six cabins, four double en-suite Separate crew quarters

Carbon rig with Park Avenue boom

Large, hydraulic bathing platform

Sunken tender well - doubles as entertaining zone

Forced air ventilation system

Lloyd’s Register certified hull and deck

885GT

A grand tourer for the ocean

We have focused on the details that make a difference to performance, to create a lighter, faster bluewater yacht that is also luxurious and safe.

SPECIFICATIONS

Length overall including stemhead 27.37m / 89’10”

Length of hull 26.06m / 85’6”

Beam 6.33m / 20’9”

Draft - standard keel 4.08m / 13’5”

Displacement - standard keel 69,200kg / 153,221lbs

Typical engine Cummins Turbo-charged QSL-330 246kW (330hp)

Tanks - fuel 3,500 litres / 770 Imp Gallons (925 US gals)

Tanks - water 2,000 litres / 440 Imp Gallons (528 US gals)

Sail area - including 106% foretriangle 399.0 M2 /4295FT 2

Air draft approx, excluding antennae 38.80M / 127’29”

Inspired by the Grand Tourer automobiles of the 1950s, the new 885GT offers fast, effortless passagemaking over long distances.

She delivers sophisticated bluewater performance with the luxury, comfort and safety for which Oyster is world-renowned.

Key features:

4m T-keel with lead bulb

Taller carbon mast and EC 6 carbon rigging

North 3Di Ocean Sail wardrobe Upgraded winches

Extended bowsprit

Lloyd’s Register certified hull and deck

We specialise in chartering Oyster yachts on behalf of their owners. Our knowledge of these stunning yachts and their crew allows us to offer exclusive, private sailing yacht charters in the Caribbean, New England, the Mediterranean and elsewhere.

Our personal service guarantees the perfect charter to suit your wishes. Experience stunning remote locations, exciting activities, delicious cuisine and the most memorable sailing in comfort, luxury and style on board an Oyster yacht. We will advise you on every detail, from

the right yacht to the ideal location for your luxury sailing holiday.

For more information contact Fiona McCarthy on +34 971 28 74 74 / +34 634 344849 or email fiona.mccarthy@oysteryachts.com

CHARTER RATES

High season applies to July and August. +10% is applied to the Christmas and New Year holiday period, with a 10 day minimum. VAT will be applicable in EU countries. The amount can range from 13% to 22% of the charter fee.

EXTRAS

Inclusive of the charter fee are the yacht and crew. Extra costs include shoreside transport, fuel, food and all beverages for the Charter Party, berthing dues and other harbour charges, Charter Party communications and internet use.

Crew Gratuity – Although discretionary, a crew gratuity of 5% to 15% of the charter fee is customary.

Oyster Brokerage is the pre-owned Oyster specialist and we’ve been proudly bringing buyers and sellers together for more than 30 years. We thrive in a marketplace that moves fast, with yachts being listed for sale and changing hands frequently and it’s reassuring to have our knowledgeable team at your side throughout the process.

We offer worldwide coverage with a network of brokerage offices in the UK, the Mediterranean and the USA. This gives us a global reach in very different marketplaces.

Each hub boasts a team with an intimate knowledge of Oyster yachts, who are ready and willing to advise you on every aspect of choosing and owning the right yacht for your needs. We also have access to original Oyster documentation, build files, build yards, designers and project managers of every yacht we have ever built. We can share all this knowledge with our clients to help inform their purchase decision.

Oyster Brokerage is an accredited member of the following professional bodies: ABYA,

(the UK based Association of Brokers and Yacht Agents); MYBA (Mediterranean Yacht Brokers’ Association); and the YBAA (Yacht Brokers’ Association of America).

To discuss buying or selling your Oyster with one of our brokers, please get in touch at brokerage@oysteryachts.com or call your nearest Brokerage office:

UK T: +44 (0) 1473 851 430 Palma T: +34 677 429 116 USA T: +1 401 846 7400

CHEWTON GLEN | CLIVEDEN HOUSE | THE LYGON ARMS | 11 CADOGAN GARDENS | THE MAYFAIR TOWNHOUSE

OYSTER AFTER SALES

Unrivalled support and service across the globe.

When they say you’re never alone on an Oyster, it’s true. When you buy an Oyster, you are becoming the owner of more than just a yacht, whether it is a new or brokerage model. As part of the Oyster family, you have the reassurance that our exceptional After Sales and Support team will look after you throughout your time as an owner.

Wherever you are in the world, you are only a satellite phone call away from one of our expert team who will do everything they can to resolve any issue. They will guide you through any on-the-fly repairs and arrange to get your parts delivered to your chosen destination as soon as possible.

One owner described our service as “...the best After Sales service unit in the yachting industry”. It is an accolade we aim to live up to every day.

DEEP OYSTER KNOW-HOW

Based in the UK, our After Sales department is the nerve centre of Oyster. Operating from both Southampton and Wroxham yards, they have access to boat files and boat builders’ advice.

OUR SERVICES

Our After Sales service covers all parts and spares, along with technical and engineering support and advice. For new and existing owners, we can supply anything and everything you need to enjoy sailing your Oyster from day one. From galley equipment to bed linen, from cushions to safety kit, we can help with your every need.

We hold a recommended spares list to suit your individual yacht and sailing style. We also provide support for all owners at Oyster Regattas and throughout the Oyster World Rally, with spares and technical back-up before, during and after the voyage.

OUR TEAM

Our team is made up of former Oyster boat builders, Oyster crew and sailors. Our technical team is always on hand to provide support and advice and their comprehensive knowledge of our boats is an essential part of the service. The team works closely, sharing years of knowledge and familiarity with Oysters, to find effective solutions quickly.

For After Sales and Technical Support call +44 (0) 23 8083 1005 or email aftersales@oysteryachts.com

It is wonderful to have Oyster After Sales support! It truly makes owning an Oyster a joy in my life.

DAVID ZIELKE, OYSTER 55/19 BOTONY BAY

I spoke to Oyster at 9 am and at 11 am I got a confirmation that my part will be in Annapolis in two days. I appreciate your amazing service, your kind nature and expertise.

JONATHAN ARNOLD, OYSTER 56/47 SV GRATEFUL

Taking ownership of your Oyster is just the beginning of many adventures. To ensure she keeps you safe and protected, it is vital she is well-maintained. Our commitment to you doesn’t end when we deliver your yacht – we believe in lifetime support and you will discover our worldclass, worldwide service is second to none. With Oyster Service your yacht will always be shipshape for your next adventure.

You will find our service centres located in Palma, serving the whole Mediterranean; in Newport, Rhode Island, serving the US and the Americas; and Ipswich and Southampton in the UK. Whichever service centre you visit, you can be sure your yacht will enjoy a depth and breadth of service that goes further, regardless of its age or condition.

WE KNOW OYSTER INSIDE AND OUT

As part of our international service network, our team has the inside knowledge to help you, your skipper and crew with everything from friendly advice to complex engineering projects. We have many decades of experience, as well as access to the design and build files of every Oyster ever built.

A CO-ORDINATED TEAM OF EXPERTS

For technical and engineering works, servicing, and from the smallest spare

part to a complete refit, you can rely on us to resolve things quickly and with no fuss. Our project managers work closely with our specialist teams of engineers, shipwrights, joiners and varnishers to ensure the highest Oyster standards are always guaranteed.

We are always on hand to advise as you prepare for your next adventure. Our skilled craftspeople and maintenance experts are second to none. Whatever the job, we have the right people on hand to help, giving you the peace of mind that your pride and joy is in the safest, most experienced hands.

So, when you collect her at the beginning of your next adventure, you know she will be in perfect condition and ready to go. And when you return, simply drop off the keys and we will take care of everything for you.

OYSTER SERVICES = PEACE OF MIND

These are the key services we can help you with. If there is anything you need that is not listed, please get in touch – we will definitely be able to help, no matter how big or small your request.

Warranty work

Routine maintenance / Engineering / Fabrication

Hardstanding / Winter storage Annual Haul-out / Antifouling Painting / Varnishing

Guardianage

Full Refit / Project Management

Technical support

New boat sales

Brokerage sales

Charter services

Crew recruitment

CONFIDENCE COMES AS STANDARD

We go over and above to exceed your expectations to make Oyster ownership a unique experience. The combination of design, craftsmanship and service that goes the extra mile will give you complete confidence in your yacht and your decision to join our family.

To find out more, please get in touch at service@oysteryachts.com

No task too big or too small. Warranty items ticked off happily, new dive compressor installed, custom made storage built, and LaLaLee cared for beautifully.

OWNER, OYSTER 595/04 LA LA LEE

A continuing commitment to you and your yacht.

OYSTER CREW

Choosing the perfect crew for your Oyster isn’t always easy. That’s why owners come to Oyster for help. We have built our reputation by sourcing suitable candidates, taking care of the smallest detail and ultimately creating rewarding experiences for owners and crews, with vital support every step of the way.

They offered a thoughtful selection of impressive candidates and shared their own experience and insights on what would work best on our boat. I can’t think who would better understand the crewing opportunities and needs of Oyster yachts than the Oyster Crewing Service and I’m most grateful for their help.

MICHAEL DAVIE, OYSTER 66/12 ARCHEOPTERYX

MANAGING EXPECTATIONS

Many of our team have worked as Oyster Crew themselves. Through personal experience, we know to listen carefully to both your requirements and the crew’s and

use our knowledge to find the best match. Our objective is to get it right first time, so you can get on and enjoy your sailing adventures with complete peace of mind.

THE CREW SERVICE

We have developed a reliable and consistent approach to finding and engaging Captains and crew teams to suit different itineraries. We review and filter candidate applications, interview them, check their references and qualifications. Only then will we send you the most suitable candidates to consider.

We recommend a trial period of three months for your crew. Experience shows the ultimate test for you and your crew is when you get on board together. Rest assured, we will take care of any challenges quickly and make alternative arrangements if required.

CONSTANT COMMUNICATION

Our crews are an important part of the Oyster family too and we like to keep the conversation open to ensure everyone remains happy. Every two years, we conduct an exclusive Oyster Crew Salary Survey which brings owners and crews up-to-speed with the current earnings of crews on board Oyster yachts. This has proved invaluable for all parties during salary negotiations and pay reviews.

CREW TYPES

We know there is the right crew out there for every owner and yacht. Whether you need an experienced Captain and Chef couple for chartering in the Caribbean, an easygoing solo Engineer for an owner/Skipper, or an all-rounder Deckhand/Cook for a world cruising itinerary, we find the crew to fit. We have even sourcedexperienced school teachers who are also qualified Yachtmasters to help with kids’ on-board schooling, or sailor/diving instructors to work with a family of keen divers. It takes a little patience and time but we will make it happen – that’s what we do best.

To find out more about how we can help you find your next crew, please contact Charlie Durham at crew@oysteryachts.com or call +34 619 147 056

The Oyster Crew Service took great care in understanding our family and yachting needs… and helped us get more clarity on what we ideally needed.

SUSAN AND DOMINIC WHITE, OYSTER 625/09 MAKARA

The effortless way to find the perfect Oyster crew.

OYSTER PARTNERS

Our yachts are the result of years of experience and deep collaboration with partners who share our obsession with building the highest-quality sailing yachts.

More than the sum of their parts, every aspect of our exceptional cruising yachts is carefully considered by our designers and engineers. We set the benchmark for our our partners’

products, ensuring they are capable of meeting the owner’s needs and Oyster’s exceptional standards of build quality. Together we make the world’s finest bluewater sailing yachts.

GET IN TOUCH

ENQUIRIES

Oyster Yachts

New Yacht Sales Enquiries

T: +44 (0) 1473 851436

E: sales@oysteryachts.com

General Enquiries

T: +44 (0) 23 8083 1000

E: enquiries@oysteryachts.com

OYSTER SALES

UK & Ireland

Richard Gibson

T: +44 (0)7590 183240

E: richard.gibson@oysteryachts.com

Americas

Dan Wurzbacher T: +1 401 924 3434

E: dan.wurzbacher@oysteryachts.com

Rest of World

Stephen Parkinson

T: +44 (0)7525 224990

E: stephen.parkinson@oysteryachts.com

BROKERAGE

UK T: +44 (0) 1473 851430

Palma T: +34 677 429 116

USA T: +1 401 846 7400

E: brokerage@oysteryachts.com W: oysterbrokerage.com

CHARTER

Fiona McCarthy

T: +34 971 287474

E: charter@oysteryachts.com W: oystercharter.com

AFTER SALES

Dee Addy

T: +44 (0)23 8083 1005

E: aftersales@oysteryachts.com

SERVICE CENTRE

Oyster Yachts UK

T: +44 (0) 1473 851430

Oyster Yachts / Newport RI Will White T: +1 401 225 3958

E: will.white@oysteryachts.com

Oyster Yachts / Palma Mark Durham T: +34 971 287 474

E: mark.durham@oysteryachts.com

CREW

Charlie Durham

T: +34 619 147 056

E: crew@oysteryachts.com

EVENTS

Allie Smith

T: +44 (0) 7741 665112

E: events@oysteryachts.com

ONLINE

Website: www.oysteryachts.com

Instagram: @oysteryachts Facebook: @oysteryachts YouTube: /oysteryachts Twitter: @oyster_yachts LinkedIn: @oysteryachts Pinterest: @oyster_yachts

NEWPORT RI

Oyster New Yacht Sales Oyster Brokerage Oyster Charter Oyster Service Centre

WROXHAM HYTHE

OYSTER YACHTS, HANDCRAFTED WITH PRIDE IN BRITAIN

SOUTHAMPTON

Our team at Southampton focuses on the production of our largest models, the Oyster 885SII, 885GT and 745.

ASHMANHAUGH

Our technology centre in Ashmanhaugh is where the Oyster 565, 595, 675 and 745 hulls and decks are moulded.

WROXHAM

Our team at Wroxham builds our 60 foot yachts, the Oyster 565 and new 595.

HYTHE

Home to the moulding and build of the new Oyster 495, fit out of the 675 and moulding of the 885

IPSWICH Oyster New Yacht Sales Oyster Brokerage Oyster Service Centre

SOUTHAMPTON

Oyster New Yacht Sales

Oyster Service Centre

AUSTRALIA

Oyster Sales Rest of World

PALMA

Oyster Brokerage Oyster Charter Oyster Service Centre

TAKE THE VOYAGE OF A LIFETIME

Entries are now open for the Oyster World Rally 2026-27. This is the ultimate sailing adventure – a fully supported circumnavigation, sailing 27,000 nautical miles and visiting the most remote and beautiful destinations on the planet.

Places are limited and demand high. For more information visit our website or get in touch at worldrally@oysteryachts.com

OYSTER YACHTS. BEYOND EXPECTATION.