NE W LAUNCHES

NEW LAUNCHES

There is nothing like the look of sheer delight on the face of an owner as they take the helm of their new Oyster for the first time. The journey from dream yacht to ownership is different for everyone – whether it is a childhood dream, a burning desire to own only the best or a taste for adventure that needs to be fulfilled. Whatever reason you decide to choose an Oyster, the pleasure of ownership starts from the moment you place your order.

The experience of building an Oyster is deeply personal and involving. Guided through every step by our expert Project Managers, every decision you make will be based on exactly what you want and need. At the end of the journey, you will not only take ownership of a remarkable yacht, but you will also have built a deep connection with her. It is all part of being involved in the build process, meeting our designers and craftspeople, and seeing them put their time-honoured crafts skills into practice to perfect the smallest details that will make her unique to you.

If you are considering ordering your first (second or third) Oyster, we hope the stories of our recent new owners will inspire you to take the first step.

OYSTER 565/08

INFINITY

OWNER: ROSS GOLDING PROJECT MANAGER: ANDY ARMSHAW HANDOVER: OCTOBER 2021

In October 2021, Ross Golding took ownership of Oyster 565/08 Infinity. Due to the pandemic, Ross had not seen his yacht at any point during the build.

Upon hearing the Oyster World Rally 2022-23 places were almost fully booked, like many new owners, the pandemic spurred Ross into deciding it was time to take the plunge, so he took the last build slot available to ensure his place on the Rally.

“Due to the pandemic, my experience with the Oyster build process was backwards,” explains Ross. “I hadn’t stepped on an Oyster in years and only seen a 565 in the marketing, which can be misleading as you know. But not so with Oyster! Your marketing is commendably honest and paints an accurate picture of what my ‘pocket superyacht’ would be once built.

“I was initially nervous about the process, not being able to leave the U.S. to visit Wroxham to ‘kick the tyres.’ In fact, with our PM’s guidance, it wasn’t necessary. I was very busy with my business, so I appreciated the photographs and videos and our succinct Zoom meetings, along with Andy’s expert guidance. The entire process was near-perfect, made even more enjoyable by Andy’s relaxed approach and sense of humour.” “The truly impressive part of my entire experience has been the family of Oyster,” he continues. “To a person, everyone was organised, helpful, knowledgeable, professional and friendly. As a business owner myself, I appreciate how challenging this is to accomplish – it is clearly embedded in Oyster’s culture and DNA.”

PROJECT MANAGER COMMENTS

Ross asked me to show him round Wroxham and to meet the team that handcrafted his yacht. The team answered his many questions on the tour, then we moved on to the yard itself, where he was amazed by the complexity and logistical challenges faced in building one of our semi-bespoke yachts. Having seen our craftspeople in action, he was full of praise for everyone involved.

Ross waited for a weather window to start his epic journey from Ipswich, heading straight for Las Palmas. He then sailed to Antigua for the start of his first big Oyster adventure, the Oyster World Rally 2022-23.

Infinity…is simply beautiful. At every marina we visit, without exception, she attracts onlookers taking pictures. She catches your eye from afar immediately but when you step aboard you quickly sense that under her refined beauty lies real strength.

ROSS GOLDING

OYSTER 565/06

SERENITY

OWNER: PETER AND BARBARA ROGERS PROJECT MANAGER: DEBBIE SCOUGALL HANDOVER: MARCH 2021

Peter and Barbara Rogers’ Oyster experience began in 1999, when they ordered Oyster 45/19 Red Rascal, followed in 2007 by Oyster 56/63 Temerity. We handed over their third Oyster, 565/06 Serenity, during the pandemic.

“The process seems to get better,” said Peter. “We had to contend with the pandemic during our build but we did see our hull being moulded in early 2021 before lockdown started. Our wonderful project manager kept us updated with photos and videos and managed to arrange visits too. The Oyster set-up and quality never ceases to amaze. It is reflected in the whole yacht – each time you open a drawer or stick your head in a bilge, you realise how well the craftsmen finish things.”

Peter was very impressed with the build and the attention to detail. “The handover process involved the usual Oyster thoroughness and we stayed for a few weeks at Fox’s marina, sailing out of there just to get used to her before bringing her back round to the South Coast.”

Due to Covid restrictions, Serenity was based in Lymington for the summer, which allowed more sailing with the family. “It has given us a fantastic opportunity to invite friends and family aboard where we’ve had some great weekends and week-long sails around the South Coast and down towards the West Country. We are still debating whether to go into the Med in 2022 or not, but it’s been such fun having her in the UK, we are undecided. She is very much our second home and it’s nice to have her so easily accessible.”

PROJECT MANAGER COMMENTS

With so many years’ experience under their keel, Peter and Barbara were very exacting in their requirements, which we were happy to fulfil – this included incorporating a bookcase into the chart table, wine storage in the saloon table base and extra storage in place of a settee in the aft cabin.

Peter is an architect with a strong eye for detail and was thrilled with the finishes and astounded by the huge progress Oyster has made in engineering and electrical installation since 2007.

The couple were particularly pleased with the improvements in soundproofing and the quiet running of the engine, generator and airconditioning. Barbara’s only regret was that she would have installed a dishwasher if she had known how quiet the generator was!

This is our third Oyster and each time the process seems to get better. We were extremely impressed with the enhancements in quality and finishing all round.

PETER & BARBARA ROGERS

OYSTER 675/04

SEABIRD

OWNER: MICHAEL AND DONNA HUTCHISON PROJECT MANAGER: DEBBIE SCOUGALL HANDOVER: AUGUST 2021

At our first meeting, Michael made it clear that Seabird was to be, in his words, “the fastest 675 on the water”. But she is much more than that, featuring some unusual choices of wood and joinery finishes that have put the owner’s personal touch on her from stem to stern.

“We are extremely impressed with our Oyster and the build process from start to finish. There is so much that goes into building a sailboat, especially a luxurious ocean cruiser like Seabird. The systems are all well integrated and there is attention to detail from start to finish. We were able customise her inside and out, making her feel unique,” said Michael.

The Hutchisons are based in Canada and were keen to incorporate elements of Canada and England. They decided on English oak joinery, with Canadian maple soleboards and bird’s eye maple inlays in the cabin doors and saloon table.

“Due to pandemic-induced delays, by the time she was ready we were overcome with excitement. The handover process was lengthy – going over every inch of the boat for three days then a sail on the fourth,” he continues. “Since then, we have sailed over 6,000 miles from Ipswich to Palma, back to Madeira and down to the Canaries. We crossed the Atlantic and spent Christmas and New Year in the Caribbean, before setting off on the Oyster World Rally 2022-23 in January.”

PROJECT MANAGER COMMENTS

Michael’s son Jonathan has been living onboard since the first day of handover, so he is already very familiar with Seabird. Michael and Jonathan attended for the week of handover, with Donna joining in time to break a bottle of champagne on Seabird’s bow. The handover was organised with perfect spinnaker weather for the sailing demonstrations and then welcome trade wind conditions to get in some practice goose-winging on her maiden voyage to Jersey.

Michael’s wish for Seabird to be the fastest 675 on the water will be achieved with the two spinnakers he ordered – both painted with the Seabird logo, so they can make the best use of every whisper of wind. Seabird is the first extended transom 675, and Michael was delighted with the extra storage space in the lazarette as he stowed his toys and spares for extended cruising. In fact, he declared that the system for holding his many plastic storage boxes in the lazarette was his favourite part of the boat!

OYSTER 745/06

KALIA

OWNER: CHRISTIAN AND KATJA CASAL PROJECT MANAGER: MATTHEW TOWNSEND HANDOVER: OCTOBER 2021

In the middle of October, Oyster 745/06 Kalia set sail from Southampton for her permanent home in Palma, Mallorca. Her owners, experienced sailors Christian and Katja Casal, had waited patiently as we built her through the depths of lockdown, only able to see progress through Zoom and photos.

As experienced sailors and owners of an Oyster 625, they had very clear ideas for their new boat. They chose a 745 as it is possible for them to handle her together but has space for crew on longer voyages. They intend to use her for cruising in the Mediterranean before trying some transatlantic passages, with the possibility of going further afield in the future.

The interior layout was designed to maximise storage space, with significant joinery changes in the aft guest cabins to achieve this. The interior styling was very individual, inspired by the interior designer Claudia Silberschmidt, who had helped them with their home on dry land. She also introduced PLS Labs to design and supply the lighting. The result was a very subtle white and limed oak finish, which the owners love and is a testament to the skill of all involved with her design, build and commissioning.

The contemporary and minimalist styling was carried above decks too, with black and white spars, rigging and sails. The deck layout was also simplified to maintain the cleanest lines and the minimum number of toe-stubbers!

PROJECT MANAGER COMMENTS

The owners were keen that the exterior was as sleek and unfussy as the interior design. We minimised deck fittings and appendages – no extended transom, no davits, no aft antenna mast.

We simplified the sailing systems – with furlers and snuffers used extensively to make it possible for a small team to sail her as efficiently as possible. We also reduced AV and entertainment systems, so they can rely on an iPod. Not forgetting the allimportant wine fridge! Every fitting and surface were considered too, to ensure the effortless flow of the living spaces.

The handover in Ipswich was the first time the owners had seen her for 14 months, other than through my phone camera!

Before they left for Palma, Christian and Katja expressed their delight with Kalia but also a tinge of regret that they did not get to see more of the build in person.