are oyster yachts worth the money

Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Oyster 495: the dream boat that sets the bar

• Sam Fortescue
• January 2, 2023

Oyster have long set the standard for luxurious blue-water cruisers, and the Oyster 495 is the new baby in the range. Even if you’re not in the market for one, it’s nice to dream, says Sam Fortescue

Product Overview

• High build quality
• Very stable
• Modern hull shape
• Flexible sail plan
• Accessible technical spaces
• Lots of deck stowage
• Numerous interior steps
• Limited clothes storage
• Captive main/jib halyard

Manufacturer:

Price as reviewed:.

Following an era which saw Oyster yachts getting progressively bigger and bigger, the iconic British boatbuilder has shifted its gaze back to the sort of boats that made it famous. And the first fruit of this welcome development is the comely Oyster 495.

The best part of £2 million all told, she is eye-wateringly expensive. So why sail her?

Well, this iconic British brand has long set the standard when it comes to offshore and ocean luxury cruising yachts, so it’s worth seeing, if only to measure other boats against.

The cockpit is deep, secure and well-sheltered. Credit: Morten Strauch

Even if you haven’t got that kind of loose change in your pocket, it’s nice to dream, isn’t it?

Freshly designed from the keel up, this is a that boat aims to combine comfort, quality build and reliable blue-water passagemaking with features found on the bigger boats.

Drawn by Humphreys Yacht Design, the Oyster 495 is the first new model since Richard Hadida bought the business in 2018.

‘She’s a go-anywhere adventure machine capable of taking her owners to the four corners of the globe,’ says Hadida, for whom this first boat has been built with a huge array of extras.

Oyster 495: a new icon

Approaching the Tuborg Marina in Copenhagen to join ship for the overnight passage to Kiel, there was absolutely no mistaking this boat, whose glossy black carbon mast gave her away long before I spotted the trademark Oyster eyebrow.

Hull number one, which is on a promotional world tour lasting well into 2023, also has a bold turquoise vinyl hull wrap.

Solo sailing is feasible thanks to almost all controls being push-button. Credit: Morten Strauch

In line with recent thinking on hull shape , the Oyster 495 punches a plumb bow into the seas and carries much of her beam well aft – noticeably more so than previous models.

Such a hull form resists heeling and reduces the need for ballast.

The halyards make off to the mast and can be tensioned by winches, but must be moused to be lowered. Credit: Morten Strauch

‘With the twin rudder configuration that we have adopted as standard on all our Oyster designs since the 885 model, it provides us with more flexibility to carry a higher proportion of form stability by increasing the power of the aft hull sections,’ says naval architect Tom Humphreys.

‘This is still introduced sensitively to ensure motions and control in waves is not compromised.’

Generous accommodation

Together with the slightly higher beam and topsides compared to the 46, it creates a lot of volume below for the master cabin and extra headroom in the fo’c’sle.

As is typical for Oyster, the mast is keel-stepped. It intrudes slightly into the corridor forward, but does a better job of transferring rig forces to the keel and reduces chainplate loading.

Our test boat had the full carbon mast option from Selden with in-mast furling, and in some ways, this is a bit of an oxymoron.

Headsail furling is electric on the Oyster 495, with a double bow roller in the integral bow sprit. Credit: Morten Strauch

The carbon mast adds nearly £100,000 to the pricetag for a big weight saving of some 200kg, but the mandrel and furling gear puts some of that weight back in.

On the other hand, it reduces the sail area by 10 per cent and prohibits the use of performance-enhancing battens.

‘You get more sailing done this way,’ explains sales director Richard Gibson, and that is a key point in a blue-water yacht.

The sail plan is designed with an efficient 54m2 jib, which can be set up for self-tacking, or remain on tracks set well inboard for good tight angles upwind.

Then there’s an attractive moulded-in bowsprit which carries two tack points for asymmetric or reaching sails, while beefy padeyes along the raised bulwarks give you heaps of options for fixing the blocks needed to run sheets and guys.

A large sprayhood, and an optional bimini or cockpit tent offer good protection from the elements. Credit: Morten Strauch

As well as push-button controls for the mast furling and outhaul, this test boat has the optional hydraulic mainsail trim.

Effectively reversing the mainsheet to be trimmed in the boom and not on deck, this clever kit was first developed by Wally superyachts.

The mainsheet is spliced to a strop on the deck behind the helm and a ram hidden in the boom does the trimming, removing trailing ropes in the cockpit.

Just the jib sheets come back to the cockpit, because all the halyards are designed to be handled at the mast.

The mainsheet control is hydraulic and hidden inside the boom. Credit: Richard Langdon

It keeps the cockpit remarkably tidy, but requires you to spend time crouched at the foot of the mast to launch or douse a reaching or running sail.

Similarly, the jib and main halyards terminate with loops over a mast fitting which is tensioned then pegged off.

As they are cut to this length with the sails hoisted, you can’t lower them in a hurry.

You need to unload the hook using a winch, then tie on the provided mousing line. Tidy, yes; practical, no.

Hunting for wind

Now, we had lamentably low wind during our test sail, and the delivery team were intent on reaching Kiel by daybreak, so we spent much of our 24 hours aboard with the motor running and the sails furled.

And here, it must be said that the boat performs very well.

At an optimal 2,300rpm, the efficient Yanmar 110hp shoved us along at 8 knots through oily calm seas, consuming 8.7 litres of diesel per hour.

That’s roughly 1 litre per nautical mile, or nearly 4 days and nights of motoring on a full tank of 800 litres.

Excellent deck stowage is located aft of the single-point mainsheet attachment. Credit: Morten Strauch

And though the engine sits in the traditional spot beneath the companionway, with the chart table to starboard and the galley to port, it is very well muffled.

Crucially for the workhorse on a blue-water cruising boat, access is possible via hatches on all four sides of the engine block, while the compartment itself offers plenty of room for additional equipment.

During two passages of moderate wind, the skipper obligingly let us set the main and jib – a slow but simple question of pressing buttons, with jib sheet winches within easy reach of the helm on the coaming.

She remained light and responsive on the helm and at one point, we clocked up a decent 5.1 knots of boat speed, fetching easily into 8 knots AWS.

Oyster is proud of its cockpit table, which contains a drinks fridge. Credit: Morten Strauch

Conditions didn’t permit much more, but polars indicate that she will perform up to about 32º true wind angle, quickly accelerating to 7 knots upwind in a 10-knot breeze.

Broad reaching with the 197 m² asymmetric, she can manage 11 knots in a blow.

Despite being resin-infused, the boat has a relatively heavy glassfibre construction and weighs in at 21 tonnes without fuel, water, food, gear or crew.

The saloon is large and extremely light thanks to the trademark deck saloon windows

Her sail area to displacement ratio of 16.1 is that of a solid offshore cruiser, while the waterline length to displacement ratio of 203 promises a little more power.

It gives her a very solid feel on the water, like her bigger siblings, but limits performance.

‘You want the boat to be the destination in a way,’ says Tom Humphreys. And like all Oysters, the 495 is just that.

The trademark raised centre cockpit means plenty of aft deck for lounging, fishing or blowing up tenders, while the seating, with its central fold-up table, is deep and well protected.

The optional cockpit tent and a bimini would be a boon for warm water or Baltic sailing .

A proper forward facing chart table is essential for ocean navigation and as a work station

Deck, rigging and underwater lighting may be a little showy for some, but do create real atmosphere. The heart of the boat, though, is its large saloon area.

Deep upholstery on either side provides space to put your feet up and relax, gather with friends, sit down for a meal around the eight-person table or even watch a movie on the pop-up TV.

Luxury styling in the cabins hasn’t made Oyster forget practicalities such as lee cloths and handholds.

The space communicates nicely with a very well-found galley to port and the chart table to starboard, and there are handrails to help you make your way everywhere.

The finish is Oyster to the core and styling has been revitalised with a new superyacht inspired look that is all geometric relief, pale wood and Nordic lamps.

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One step too far

If I had one criticism of this otherwise spotless interior, it would be the number of little level changes that connect the spaces.

We counted 12 steps in total, besides the companionway.

While they maximise the volume, they also present a tripping risk.

The hull form includes a plumb bow to stretch waterline length, and carries its beam well aft, controlled by twin rudders. Credit: Brian Carlin

One of the reasons for these steps is clear: the saloon sole is raised somewhat in order to create space for the tankage beneath, as well as enjoy the views from the deckhouse windows.

And there, at least, the benefit is overwhelming, because you can easily inspect each tank, as well as the batteries and other equipment.

Custom joinery adapts the galley storage to your crockery and glassware.

The galley of the Oyster 495 is well laid out for use at sea

Standard is a four-burner hob and oven from GN Espace, side opening boat fridge plus an optional freezer and microwave.

Another highlight is the huge chart table.

There are those that scoff at the waste of space in a digital age, but anyone undertaking blue-water cruising knows the value of this space.

The saloon deckhouse leaves the foredeck clear for sail handling, lounging, or dinghy stowage. Credit: Morten Strauch

B&G instruments are the standard choice. The main interfaces are touchscreen displays that drive C-Zone digital switching , but key kit still features two-pole manual switches.

‘We wanted to introduce tech into the boat, but we had to make sure that if something breaks down mid-ocean you could fix it,’ explains Gibson.

Down steps aft, the owner’s cabin is clearly inspired by the big Oysters.

The engine compartment is well insulated and has ample space for a genset and other systems. Credit: Morten Strauch

The island bed measures 140cm across and features an elaborate fabric headboard that shows off the new styling to maximum effect.

There’s the option of a huge TV on the forward bulkhead, plus a vanity table and a sofa.

A luxurious ensuite heads features a separate shower, reached – you’ve guessed it – down another step.

The second cabin lies in the fo’c’sle and it runs to another good sized semi-island bed.

The boat remains a medium-heavy displacement cruiser, but the new hull shape adds extra performance. Credit: Richard Langdon

Having shared this space overnight with the photographer, I can attest to the comfort, and the natural light.

There is a third cabin to starboard with a pair of useful bunks, sharing the forward heads and shower. Finish quality is, as you’d expect, excellent.

In the end, Oyster has been ambitious in trying to squeeze in the features of its larger boats onto this design.

But it has been a successful project and, even as we hove in sight of Kiel’s green approaches, it was all too easy to imagine settling in and heeding the call of the high seas.

Verdict on the Oyster 495

New focus from Oyster and some modern hull design courtesy of Humphreys have given the Oyster 495 a modest performance boost and some welcome contemporary features.

However, she remains very true to Oyster’s keystone values of safety, seaworthiness and comfort. And in that sense, at least, she is not a radical boat.

Her layout, too, would be familiar to an Oyster 49 owner from 2001.

The Oyster 495 is built for serious long-distance cruising. Credit: Brian Carlin

There’s plenty of technology here – digital switching, plotters galore, good AV options and hydraulic sail controls. But it is not dressed up to be flashy.

The boat is solid, well-built and beautifully finished. She is easy to handle, capable and well organised.

Our only misgivings were about the less-than-easy halyard handling, and reliance on hydraulics for sail trim.

It’s all very neat, but is that really the priority for blue-water cruising?

As to whether she represents the world’s best 50ft blue-water yacht, time will tell, but with 16 boats sold off plan, some buyers clearly think so.

Would the Oyster 495 suit you and your crew?

Oysters are the stuff of dreams, and the new 495 is no exception.

If money were no object, and it needs not to be for this boat (our tricked-out test boat cost £1.6m ex-VAT or £1.92m inc VAT), then this is a vessel custom made to fulfil blue-water cruising hopes.

She would best suit a family with a steady flow of visiting friends, or a mix of older and younger kids.

The integral bowsprit on the Oyster 495 facilitates the setting of various offwind sails to maintain passage speeds. Credit: Brian Carlin

The disparity between the aft and fo’c’sle cabins rules out a project involving two couples.

She would also work well with a couple and some paid hands, although the ease of sail control and trim makes her perfectly viable for sailing solo or two-up.

There’s no reason that you couldn’t take the 495 up Britain’s rivers and estuaries, with her 2.28m draught and option for a 1.83m shoal keel.

But a boat of this capability demands to cover miles.

Sail round Britain , up to Svalbard , round the Mediterranean or around the world – the boat could undoubtedly handle it all with aplomb – but make sure you’re stretching her legs.

Solid, well-built and beautifully finished

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Oyster 565 yacht test: This bluewater cruiser marks the rebirth of a legend

• Toby Hodges
• January 9, 2020

Is this Oyster 565 the boat that secures the British yard’s future? Toby Hodges takes an exclusive test sail

Product Overview

Manufacturer:, price as reviewed:.

For the sake of this iconic British brand, the new Oyster 565 can’t just be good, it has to be exceptional. Nothing less will do. When the Oyster 825 Polina Star III lost her keel and sank off the coast of Spain in July 2015, the fortune it subsequently cost Oyster directly contributed to the company going into receivership.

Its backers, Dutch firm HTP Investments, ceased to provide financial support in February 2018 and the company went into administration. When gaming software entrepreneur Richard Hadida bought Oyster six weeks later , many wondered how he could rebuild the credibility of the brand and turn the business around.

So all eyes were on the Oyster 565 when it launched at the Southampton Boat Show in September. This is the first completely new design under Hadida’s watch and it sits at the core of the British firm’s market. This is the yard’s most popular size, replacing the 56 (75 sold) and 575 (45 sold).

There is the option of an extended transom design with tender garage, but all owners so far have favoured this standard shape with davits for carrying a dinghy. This yacht has a substantial bathing platform, alongside which you can tie up the dinghy. Photo: Brian Carlin

Hadida has introduced some key developments to help it succeed. Oyster now moulds its hulls in-house rather than subcontracting this work, and he wanted third party oversight, so a Lloyd’s Register surveyor inspects all yachts in build once a week to approve the design, materials and build quality of the hulls and decks. This brings a level of assurance to new owners and should restore faith in the build quality.

The new owner introduced a diverse group of board members, including designer Rob Humphreys and sailor and former Formula 1 team boss Eddie Jordan as well as other business authorities. He also put the Oyster Rendezvous regattas and successful Oyster World Rally back on track. However, this groundwork counts for nothing if the Oyster 565 flops.

I travelled to Barcelona to spend two days testing Panthalassa , the first 565 to launch. Knowing there is a huge amount riding on this model, I wondered whether it would deliver. The answer is a resounding yes. The Oyster 565 is one of the finest production yachts I have ever sailed.

The design is contemporary and sympathetic to Oyster’s existing line-up, but with more volume, comfort, simplicity, speed and stowage space than its predecessors. The deck and interior layout is right up to date, the engineering behind the scenes is of high quality, and the finish is a step beyond what almost any other production yard can offer.

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Times have changed

I found the Oyster 565 berthed alongside an Oyster 56 in Port Ginesta, which conveniently illustrated how hull shapes and deck layouts have changed in 20 years. The Oyster 565 has around 30cm more freeboard, the beam is carried much further aft, and it has a broader transom. The cockpit in particular is much larger, easier and safer to get into, and there are no sheets for guests to trip over.

The design strikes a balance between respecting the legacy of the 56 and the ten-year-old Oyster 575 , and introducing modern features such as a flush foredeck, clean lines and a greater hull volume. Some traditional cruisers may mourn the loss of a skeg-hung rudder and cutter-rigged headsails, but the ease with which you can handle this Oyster 565 in most conditions should convince the majority that modern design wins here.

A robust bowsprit extends the yacht’s length to 59ft. Although the hull length of the new Oyster 565 is shorter than the 575 it replaces, its waterline length is longer and it boasts 10% more volume. Its full bow sections also create space for a sail locker, a crucial asset for stowing the offwind sail needed to supplement the blade jib.

The Oyster 565 is clearly the product of a yard used to building high-end large yachts, as opposed to one pushing up in size into a level of engineering and quality with which it is less familiar. This is perhaps why Oyster describes it as a ‘pocket superyacht ’.

In this respect, the appointment of Paul Adamson as Oyster’s chief commercial officer was shrewd. Adamson is a seasoned Oyster skipper who took Eddie Jordan’s Oyster 885 Lush around the world (the yacht now belongs to Richard Hadida). He brings practical, hands-on expertise and big-boat knowledge to the yard.

The Oyster 565’s £1.5m price tag is steep, but it is comparable to similar-sized yachts from competitor brands and, unusually, comes with a very high standard spec. This includes hydraulic thrusters, furlers, and windlass, tri-radial sails, powered winches, a generator and a full electronic navigation package. You’ll even find 100m of 12mm chain in the anchor locker.

Secure side decks and great views in and out. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

The Oyster 565 comes ready to go, with all the equipment the company knows will make for comfortable ocean cruising , gleaned from decades of experience and owner feedback.

It is immediately obvious as soon as you go on board that every detail has been thought through. The high guardrails have boarding gates built in. If berthed stern-to, a cassette-style passerelle (an extra option) extends at the push of a button, and its handrail rises automatically. Moving forward between the twin wheels, you enter a generous-sized, deep centre cockpit.

A bluewater yacht needs to have a kindly motion at sea, be easy it is to sail and remain comfortable when heeled. During our trials, the Oyster 565 was to prove genteel, safe and enjoyable to sail.

Powering to weather under blade jib. There is a large sail locker forward, removable dorades and a huge ‘skylight’ hatch above the forward cabin. Photo: Brian Carlin

The 565 is simplicity itself to get on and off a berth. It comes with retractable bow and stern thrusters as standard, which allow you to spin the boat around its keel. The hydraulic thrusters are powerful enough to park sideways against a crosswind and easily correct any misalignment when approaching the dock.

Easier sailhandling

The hydraulic furling makes it equally simple to deploy sails even in a strong breeze or awkward seaway. I am not usually a fan of in-mast furling mainsails, but here the ability for one person to set and furl away the main without leaving the helm outweighs any negatives.

Oyster has also ensured that you can manually furl sails should the power or hydraulics fail. Both the mainsail and jib furlers have sockets that allow you to winch the sail by hand or, easier still, operate them with a cordless drill (a fully charged 18V drill will reportedly manage 15 mainsail furls).

The Oyster 565 is the first all-new model to be launched since the yard’s 2018 buyout. Photo: Brian Carlin

The blade jib enables the Oyster 565 to point higher and tack or gybe faster and more easily than previous Oysters with cutter rigs, and without the risk of yankee or genoa sheets whipping around the cockpit. It also proved the ideal sail for our long beats upwind in 12-20 knot winds. The Oyster 565 is a powerful design with a medium displacement, able to maintain consistent speed with a soft motion through the waves that makes for a quiet and comfortable ship.

The twin rudders provide the helmsman with total control and forgiving handling. When the apparent breeze reached the high 20s and the leeward gunwale was immersed, we were on the verge of needing a reef, yet the helm remained light, with only a slight increase in weather helm. This means light work for an autopilot. You can really load the boat, so would need to keep an eye on true wind speeds and when to reduce sail.

The test yacht’s bright red asymmetric spinnaker helped us get the most from the Oyster 565 offwind. Again it was the consistent speeds that stood out: 9-9.5 knots in flat water with winds in the low teens, rising to double figures when going with the swell. Once the breeze was up to a Force 5 on our second day we were sailing consistently at 10 knots. I was hooked: this is an indulgent way to tick off mile after mile.

The cockpit is split into helming and guest areas. The latter has deep benches, a large, fixed table with insulated cool box, a good sprayhood with large, clear panels and an optional bimini or full cockpit enclosure. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Most sail controls and sheets are within reach of the twin pedestals yet clear of the guest cockpit. When standing at the helm it is possible to straddle the coaming to release a sheet or reach the powered winch buttons during a tack.

Short-handed control

For owners who want to sail short-handed, however, it might be more practical to have the primaries closer to the helms, allowing them to hand steer the boat through a tack rather than relying on an autopilot. Leading the jib sheet to the aft (spinnaker) winch might make more sense, as it is closer to the helm and easier to reach without leaving the cockpit.

The mainsheet winch is directly abaft and in reach of the helmsman. It feels awkward turning round to trim the main, but I guess it is something you would get used to, or would settle for engaging the autopilot before trimming the main. There is currently no option for a traveller. Adamson believes that, for most owners, clear access to the cockpit is paramount, and a powerful vang was chosen to control the main instead.

Safe and secure on deck

The distance between the two wheels is perfect. Footwells help ensure that you feel in, rather than on top of, the boat while helming – that was not always the case on previous models. And wraparound backrests at the seats and handrails on the pedestals both create a feeling of security around the helm areas.

Moving forward along the wide side decks also feels safe thanks to high guardrails and handrails along the coachroof. Outboard shrouds and inboard jib tracks leave a comparatively clear side deck. The shrouds disappear neatly into composite chainplates below the toerail.

Going below feels less secure when the Oyster 565 is heeled, however. The flat companionway steps are steep, and curved sides would be more practical. The interior has plenty of handholds and solid fiddles, but there is so much headroom in the saloon I could only just reach the overhead handrail on the centreline.

When sailing, you have this hypnotic view from the saloon of the sea foaming past the leeward hull windows. Photo: Toby Hodges

It is easier to move forward along the starboard side of the saloon, though, and elsewhere the layout suits life at an angle. It is remarkably quiet below decks, a hush belied by the mesmerising sight of the sea foaming past the big leeward hull windows.

Behind the scenes

The British yard has stuck to a tried and tested interior layout for the Oyster 565 and has furnished and finished it impeccably. The standard of joiner work is as good as any you’ll find at production yacht level. The galley and aft cabin would be hard to better, and the utility cabin amidships, a workroom-cum-laundry with an optional pilot berth and access to the walk-in engine room, further compliments the proven layout.

Unusually at this size, Oyster offers the option of a master cabin forward with two double cabins aft. But unless you plan to spend long periods berthed stern-to, the standard owner suite aft with the magnificent views it provides will surely win every time.

The ensuite owner’s aft cabin has an abundance of light and views, good headroom and stowage – it’s difficult to believe you’re actually aboard a yacht of less than 60ft. Photo: Rick Tomlinson

Every part of the accommodation is used to its full potential, and stowage is maximised without any part feeling cramped. Practical touches include the cedar-lined, lit and ventilated wardrobes, clever use of indirect lighting, and deeply fiddled work surfaces that are shaped, moulded and laminated in-house.

However, it’s what lies behind the scenes that impressed me most. All services are easy to access for maintenance. The headlining is mounted on Velcro, while floorboards use the Fastmount panel system – although Oyster really needs to find a way to stop these sole panels creaking as it spoils an otherwise quiet interior.

Look below the saloon sole and you’ll find a proper, deep bilge sump in the keel stub. Bilges throughout the boat drain here through limber holes, which ensures any water stays in the lowest part and doesn’t slosh around. This is the most logical place for bilge pumps and by mounting them on removable plates Oyster has ensured they can easily be lifted to clean the strainers.

Sole boards lift to allow access to underfloor systems and the deep bilge. Photo: Toby Hodges

Installed beneath the companionway are two large bronze seawater inlets, one for the domestic side, such as fridge and air con, the other for the engine and generator. These systems are linked so that if one becomes blocked you can shut it down and use the other. It is also comforting to see the surrounding pipes all clearly labelled ‘Lloyds approved’.

The companionway steps lift for stowage and access to the top of the 11kW generator. Here you notice the thickness of the sound insulation. Adamson says Oyster has learned a lot about this through building its larger models. The engine room, for example, is surrounded by plywood with a high-density core and insulated with a composite of foam and sound-absorbing materials. When the engine is on tickover, it is almost impossible to hear it in the cockpit.

See more pictures and videos of the Oyster 565 on the official Oyster Yachts website.

Besides walk-in access to starboard, panels below the galley sink can be removed for access to the port side of the engine room. The engine block sits on flexible mountings, below which is a sump that prevents any oil from running into the main bilge area. There is an electronic pump-out for an oil change, a powered fuel polisher and a water-in-fuel alarm – systems normally only found on larger yachts.

The longer you look, the more you appreciate the careful planning and the intricate detail that has gone into this yacht.

The Oyster 565 is a seriously impressive yacht. It’s a modern design, through and through: good-looking and spacious. It’s certainly expensive, but for good reason, as it includes an extremely high standard spec. And the engineering quality and level of finish really raises the bar. No yacht is perfect, but in terms of design and execution the Oyster 565 is as close as you’ll find on a series-built cruising yacht. This new model issues a very clear statement: Oyster is back.

How Much Does An Oyster Yacht Cost? (6 Examples)

An Oyster Yacht is the epitome of style, elegance, and functionality in the sailing world and beyond. The British company is renowned for building luxury, bluewater sailing yachts, to which other companies strive to compare.

Table of Contents

Each yacht is semi-custom built to a new owner’s taste, so while each yacht will have the same classic Oyster lines, the interior and specifications of each yacht will be very different:

Meet The Fleet Of Oyster Yachts

Oyster Yachts is a privately owned British yacht-building company that can trace its roots back to 1973. Their first yacht, the UFO 34, was the first of many to be developed by Oyster Marine.

By 1978 Oyster Marine introduced a 46 ft cruising ketch designed by Holman & Pye. This pioneering design was the first Oyster yacht to feature the Deck Saloon, which has since become the company’s trademark.

Over the years, Oyster has continued increasing their yachts’ size.

In 1997, the company launched a 53-foot yacht in collaboration with Rob Humphreys, followed by another Humphreys design, a 62-foot yacht, in 2002.

Today, Oyster Yachts builds luxury sailing yachts ranging in size from 50 feet to 90 feet, all still designed by Humphreys Yacht Design and the Oyster Design Team.

How much does a 50-feet yacht cost?

1. Oyster 495

The all-new Oyster 495 is elegantly designed and exquisitely built from bow to stern. It’s no wonder it has been nominated for the prestigious 2023 European Yacht of the Year award.

The new Oyster 495 is the latest collaboration between Humphreys Yacht Design and Oyster’s in-house design studio – the first boat was launched in August 2022.

This yacht combines all the features you expect from Oyster –  innovative design, excellent sailing characteristics, quality materials, and superb British craftsmanship – in a thoroughly modern 50-foot bluewater sailing yacht.

[Price for the base model: £1.2 million ex VAT]

2. Oyster 565

The Oyster 565, launched in 2020, is a seriously impressive yacht. It’s a thoroughly modern design that is both good-looking and spacious.

It’s certainly an expensive yacht, but for a good reason. It is one of the few production yachts that includes an extremely high standard spec – you can just sail away.

Plus, the engineering quality and level of finish raise the bar.

No yacht is perfect, but in terms of design and execution, the Oyster 565 is as close as you’ll find to perfection on a production-built cruising yacht.

[Price for the base model: £1.4 million ex VAT]

3. Oyster 595

The new Oyster 595 is the fastest-selling Oyster yacht to date, with 16 orders before the first one even hit the water.

With an overall length of 62ft 6in/19.05m LOA, the Oyster 595 replaces the Oyster 625, but don’t let the numbers fool you. We’re told the model’s name was chosen partly to debunk the myth that a yacht over 60ft is too big to handle by a family or small crew.

So, this yacht has been designed to be easily managed by a couple and includes hydraulics and push-button controls for hoisting sails and maneuvering.

As is typical with an Oyster Yacht, the 595 comes with an extremely high spec as standard, which includes retractable bow and stern thrusters, a genset (generator and dedicated engine), hydraulics systems, automated in-mast furling, the latest electronics, and a state-of-the-art lighting system.

It’s an impressive yacht – the Oyster 595 is built to a superyacht standard of design and finish quality:

[Price for the base model: £2.3 million ex VAT]

Why ARE Oyster Yachts So Expensive? We explain more here!

4. Oyster 675

The Oyster 675 is the centerpiece of the fleet.

This yacht has been designed as the perfect combination of size and practicality in a 70-foot yacht. It’s a versatile design that two people can easily sail, or you can take a full crew and up to eight guests.

The powerful, eye-catching hull is well-proportioned and offers enormous volume down below. This makes this boat extremely versatile, and a wide variety of layouts and customized build options are available.

The signature Oyster attention to detail can be seen throughout every inch of this boat, and the Oyster’s renowned build quality offers complete reassurance and confidence at sea.

This is a real, go-anywhere bluewater yacht.

[Price for the base model: £2.48 million ex VAT]

5. Oyster 745

The Oyster 745 is a beautifully built boat that has been designed with easy access to all the systems.

First launched in 2014, this is a long-range, bluewater cruising yacht perfect for sailing to the world’s remotest corners. However, you will need a small crew to assist and maintain the boat.

With dedicated crew quarters (the smallest Oyster in the fleet to offer this), this should not pose a problem.

The spacious interior below offers different layouts, plus a private en-suite crew cabin with its own access, which guarantees privacy for you, your family, and your friends.

With generous cabins, enormous storage space, and tankage, this yacht is well-suited to long-haul live-aboard adventures or for local cruising and entertaining.

In addition, this award-winning bluewater sailboat’s design and layout options make it the perfect model to offer for charter when you are not on board enjoying the boat.

[Price for the base model: £4 million ex VAT]

6. Oyster 885 Series II

The Oyster 885 Series II is a stunning 90-foot bluewater sailing yacht in production since 2013.

This yacht has been designed and engineered to deliver uncompromising performance. It will need a crew to sail, but it can take you anywhere in the world in luxury and style. The Oyster 885 is the largest yacht in Oyster Marine’s production range.

Built to Lloyds and MCA (Maritime & Coastguard Agency) standards, this yacht is perfect for commercial charter while still under the 24m load line rule, saving many red tapes. This allows an owner to recoup part of his investment in this large and expensive vessel.

There is a choice of different entertaining areas on deck for all occasions.

Below the deck, you can choose from a range of interior layout options, with the standard layout offering four double cabins, all en-suite, plus separate crew quarters for complete privacy.

Large and fast, this boat does blur the boundaries between production boats and superyachts:

[Price for the base model: £4.5 million ex VAT]

How much do most big sailboats cost? Here are 15 examples to check out!

Additional Information

All prices quoted are for the base models only.

While the base model of an Oyster Yacht includes touchscreen controls, automated in-mast furling, electric winches, a swim platform, and a B&G navigation as standard, there are many other additional optional extras.

These optional extras could cost you a few hundred thousand pounds more than the quoted base price. However, if you can afford one of these stunning blue water sailing yachts, the world is your Oyster.

Oyster Yachts

The remarkable Oyster 675 on test – making a splash with a powerful new look

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Out into the blue …

• February 13th, 2024
• Sailing Yacht

Yes, I am biased. You know it: Oyster is my sweet spot. I can hardly find details on these yachts worth criticizing, yet I know there are certainly some. I am simply blind. This is the way it is, when you are in love. And I am not exaggerating: Boot Duesseldorf is the one occasion I love so much for the fact that the Oyster display is right behind my workplace, the Beneteau display. And when ever I need a little timeout, a daydream, even if it´s just for a blink of an eye, I turn my head and look over.

This year the British shipyard came with the Oyster 565, a boat that is the second “smallest” of their current fleet that consists of seven sizes, ranging from the entry level 50-feet Oyster 495 to their flagship, the Oyster 885. Of course, “small” is a word that needs to be put into perspective: Those are true blue water oceangoing yacht designed for long haul sailing and a lot of time spent aboard. Having your retirement celebrated on a boat or even “just” a circumnavigation means at least a 3, 5 or more years timespan. 50 feet is the minimum size to do it, therefore small.

What I love about Oyster is their welcoming and open nature. Literally everybody I meet on the booth is very polite, calm and so “British” in nature. Somehow the grandeur and understating luxury of their boats transmits on the people working with these yachts. So, let´s dive into it, welcome aboard the Oyster 565!

The recurring Oyster motive: Natural light

Let me start by directly entering down into the salon. Oyster boats are not pilot-salon or raised salon yachts as often stated, though it may appear so from the outside. The big “cateye”-windows (as I call them myself) are a trademark design feature and make an Oyster indistinguishable from every other brand. But this is not just for design, there´s an idea behind it.

Spending so much time aboard makes a boat your home. Literally. So everything here is designed to offer a cozy, open, welcoming and safety-conveying atmosphere. As it is in every flat or house, natural light is a major aspect in creating a good feeling, which is why prison cells don´t have much. An Oyster should not make you feel like being “down below” in the basement, it should be flooded with natural light.

Both from above – a bright sunshine-filled blue sky can travel through into the salon almost unhindered, the big skylights and “cateye”-windows make sure that the sun can enter from any angle at any inclination and daytime. Also, a specialty from Oyster and seldom copied by other brands, are the three-part seascape windows in the hull, again, a design-trademark with a huge impact on the wellbeing of the Oyster´s crew and guests.

The salon is completely kept free of anything that distracts from its purpose: There is no galley to look at all the time, no work station, no technical stuff – just sofas and settees, a nice table and so much free space, volume to be filled with light from above or reflections of the water coming in via the seascape windows. I mean, in this setting, calming down, getting some rest, dreaming away or just spending a relaxed day reading a good book is almost guaranteed.

Even in bad weather, there shall never be a feeling of being “trapped” under deck as it is the case with so many boats. In an Oyster, even in the smallest boats, there is always lots of headspace, lots of volume, no cramped or constricted feelings. Could I imagine spending years aboard a ship like this? Yes, please, Sir!

Barefoot on the Coconut Route

That doesn´t mean that an Oyster is just about feelgood and luxury. Not at all. This is a serious oceangoing yacht that incorporates the feedback of hundreds of sailors, hundreds of circumnavigations and the experience of over 50 years of boatbuilding. Not only that. It´s boatbuilding adhering to the highest standards of quality and safety, having had the last big push after the POLINA STAR III-incident and the re-shaping of the company by Richard Hadida. You can see this on each Oyster by taking a closer look at the nav-stations.

Where on most boats nowadays the chart table is a mere reminiscence to some sort of “old tradition”, an artifact, a place that hardly fits a laptop, aboard any Oyster this feature is celebrated. The Captain´s seat – of course to starboard side – is placed in a dedicated corner of the ship´s salon. Not closed off, but sort of placed a bit away from the holly-go-lightly living-area. A special place.

The chart table is big enough to fit traditional paper charts of all sizes. It´s drawer easily fits a whole stack of those, or a laptop. The main switch panel is not just a board, but a piece of technological art. Secondary instruments, displays and gauges enable the skipper or the Captain to gain a full oversight on the ship´s status, position and movement. Jesus, I´d love to one day sit here and do my logbook entries …

A seemingly perfect galley layout

I explained it in my last article on the Hallberg-Rassy 69 that the center cockpit-layout has many advantages for long haul-boats. One of which is the possibility of placing the galley in between salon and aft owner´s cabin. The result is not just a huge galley, but also a safety-optimized and very practical place to prepare the boat´s meals. I hate being forced to look at the dishes on boats, that’s why I don´t fancy longitudinal galleys. On any Oyster, there is no problem like this.

The galley aboard the Oyster 565 is narrow enough to make the ship´s cook wedge himself in between the two sides. No matter if he is cooking, chopping, doing the dishes or getting something in or out the fridges, there is always a safe grab nearby. The galley is also placed near the pivotal point of the boat near the keel, which makes for less movement even in heavy seas. Also, the galley is light suffused. A role model.

Imagine being an owner …

Although I am building my own dream yacht right now , the Oyster is still on top of my “dear Santa”-list. This boat is just so captivating and has taken me away on so many occasions in the evening, after I went to bed, lights are out, eyes closed … on my imaginary circumnavigations. Which, on an Oyster, is literally a built-in feature: The Oyster World Rally is a service and event for owners like no other provided by any other shipyard or brand in the world. Standing in the owner´s cabin at the boat, this is apparent …

This is the true luxury on a boat like this: A really big, big owner´s cabin. I mean, on a classic aft-cockpit yacht it takes a 60-footer to offer the inner volume of a cabin like that one on the Oyster. Even on the smallest, the Oyster 405, the owner´s cabin is of huge proportions. A nice island bed, loads of stowage and of course the great seascape windows are an invitation to leisure time and true relaxation.

Imagine waking up in such a bed, your first view is through the three windows onto a crystal clear blue water, the boat gently swinging at anchor … or in your off-time when sailing, gently heeled over secured by lee cloth, the water is vividly foaming greenish behind those windows. It must be like living a dream. Adjoinging to the cabin to starboard side the bathroom is located.

It´s not an overly big bathroom: A vacuum toilet – nicely aligned to face forward along the axis of the yacht – a sink and a decently sized shower chamber. Who needs more? Behind the bathroom´s wall, accessible from the salon, a room for a washer/dryer and some stowage is also located on the right hand side underneath the cockpit´s coamings, utilizing the volume there.

Guests on board the Oyster 565 will have a great time too: The layout allows for a VIP-guest cabin in the front and a two-berths Pulman-cabin, both sharing a big bathroom with all amenities. This layout can be optimized in canceling the room behind the nav station and make it´s volume accessible via the owner´s bathroom, in this almost doubling the volume of this bath.

Now, let´s get back on deck. Guests and off-watch crew enjoy a nice cozy cockpit. A central table with folding tabletops (and a fridge of course) make for a great place to enjoy breakfast, lunch or a sundowner. It´s just a feeling and I did not have a ruler with me, but I felt that this cockpit area was bigger than on the Hallberg-Rassy 69, which is amazing!

Casting off, into the Blue …

Putting the Aperol Spritz away and taking one of the helm seats in the aft, a skipper or helmsman aboard the Oyster 565 will have full push-button control over the sails and all principal functions of the boat. The yacht is 18 meters long and a little over 5 meters wide, which makes for a big boat indeed – but again, she is made to bridge oceanic distances in a most seakind and quick way.

This is achieved by a state-of-the art hull design, of course conceived by Rob and Tom Humphreys . Her sail plan provides for 152 square meters of sails area, powering her 27.5 tons through the distant waters. If two steering wheels – clearly more out of design purpose and fitting a current trend in owner´s demands – are always the best choice, is a question mark. But I am sure when sailing heeled or with sprayhood up a helmsman will enjoy this set-up very much. So, can we cast off now, please?

Surely, for most of us a boat like this will remain a dream. I guess it´s not only the budget needed in order to have an Oyster built. The true luxury isn´t about the money. It´s about having the time to cast off. The freedom to be out sailing for one, two or more years, totally independent and freed of the constraints of a job, this is what most of us will sadly never achieve. But let´s not be depressive about it: Even my five minute Oyster daydreams take me away, looking at all the great pictures and movies from the World Rally or just, as I literally celebrate every year in Duesseldorf, the admiration for those beautiful lines is something special and precious for any boat connoisseur.

You can read these Oyster related articles too:

Walkthrough Oyster 745

Interview with Rob and Tom Humphreys on Oyster 495 yacht design

Entry level dream yacht: Oyster 495

The Seaside Institute

A blog about boats, fishing, water sports and having fun on the ocean

Are oyster boats good?

How much does a new oyster yacht cost.

Dan Wurzbacher, US head of Oyster sales, told Insider that the base price of the Oyster 885 was $5 million but customers can personalize the yacht via options list, which increases the price.

What is an oyster boat?

An oyster schooner is a type of traditional fishing boat specifically designed for the harvesting of oysters . They were used in the past in Delaware Bay until a blight killed most of the oysters in that area. Typically, an oyster schooner was a gaff-rigged two-masted schooner akin to the Dorchester schooner.

Are Oyster yachts worth the money?

The answer is a resounding yes . The Oyster 565 is one of the finest production yachts I have ever sailed. The design is contemporary and sympathetic to Oyster’s existing line-up, but with more volume, comfort, simplicity, speed and stowage space than its predecessors.

Are oyster boats good? – Related Questions

What does an oyster 565 cost?

The base price of new Oyster 565 is £1.4 million.

What happened Oyster yacht?

On 5 February 2018, Oyster Marine, the boat-building arm of the Oyster group (which also includes Oyster Brokerage and Oyster Charter) went into administration after a crisis in July 2015 when there was a catastrophic failure of the internal hull structure of a new Oyster 825 “Polina Star III” and the yacht sank.

Are Oyster yachts safe?

The Oyster 825 is one of the company’s more recent models with seven boats sold to date, two of which are competing in the 2015 ARC. These, along with boat number one and a pair of 825s that are currently in build, have all been inspected and are confirmed to be structurally safe .

Where are oyster boats built?

Oyster has built its reputation on the meticulous attention to detail and exquisite craftsmanship our craftspeople bring to our yachts. Built and finished by hand in our boatyards in Norfolk and Southampton , we employ traditional hand-skills, side-by-side with the most advanced composite technology.

Who owns Oyster?

Are oyster sailboats good.

Oyster Yachts are admired the world over and remain a top choice for seaworthy bluewater sailboats . The current Oyster Yachts line includes the some of the best deck salon cruising yachts ever made. They are stylish and built for the most discerning owners.

How much is an Oyster 495?

This stunning luxury bluewater yacht would cost you a base price of a £1.2 million ex VAT , before you starting adding ‘options’ which will probably take the cost up several hundred thousand more.

How fast is an Oyster yacht?

The Oyster 80 can hit 10 knots sailing on a sixty degree reach in around 14 knots of wind , a very impressive light wind capability that hints at the greater speeds on offer in heavier wind conditions.

How much does the Oyster World Rally cost?

At around £20,000 to enter, plus the obvious requirement to own an Oyster yacht, it’s perhaps not one for the budget conscious. There is a charitable dimension to the rally, too – Oyster is partnering with the organisation Sea Mercy to deliver aid to remote communities in the South Pacific islands.

Are oysters clams?

Are oysters and clams the same? No . These bivalves or mollusks have similarities in that they are both in the phylum Mollusca, class Bivalvia, but the facts about each show differences in further classification, location, shells, and other features.

Do you chew oysters?

“To eat an oyster properly, tip the whole thing into your mouth straight from the shell and make sure to chew once or twice (it’s okay to use a little fork if it doesn’t come out first time).

Do all oysters have pearls?

While any oyster — and clams and mussels — can produce pearls , some species of oysters are more likely to produce pearls, while others may be harvested primarily to serve as food.

Why do oysters make pearls?

Pearls are made by marine oysters and freshwater mussels as a natural defence against an irritant such as a parasite entering their shell or damage to their fragile body . The oyster or mussel slowly secretes layers of aragonite and conchiolin, materials that also make up its shell.

How much is an oyster pearl worth?

The typical price range for oyster pearls can range anywhere from $20 to $5,000 or more per pearl , based on various factors. Natural pearls will fetch a higher price range, as will those of exceptional quality or ulterior significance.

Can oysters feel pain?

Oysters use their gills and cilia to process water and feed. Oysters have a small heart and internal organs, but no central nervous system. Lack of a central nervous system makes it unlikely oysters feel pain , one reason some people who otherwise are vegetarians comfortable eating oysters.

How rare is it to find a pearl in an oyster?

Today, natural pearls are extremely rare. Only 1 in about 10,000 wild oysters will yield a pearl and of those, only a small percentage achieve the size, shape and colour desirable to the jewellery industry.

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Oyster bought out of administration by Richard Hadida Yachting

Richard Hadida Yachting has acquired  Oyster Marine  it emerged today (March 20), six weeks after the British yard went into administration.

Speaking exclusively to Boat International , the new owner and interim CEO said: "My intention is to get people back to work tomorrow, get costs down and increase the speed of the build." Hinting at a new entry-level model, he added: "Rather than making Oysters exclusive to people who have the money to buy a 50 foot (15 metre) yacht, we want to open it up to new owners. The sooner we get them into the family, the better."

"I was on holiday with [ Boat International columnist] Eddie Jordan in Cape Town when the news came through and I thought: ‘I need to do something about this,'" Hadida continued. Having sailed regularly on Jordan's Oyster 885 yacht Lush , the new yard owner has developed a love of the yard and its range, which dates back to 1973. "My passion for the brand has driven my decision to acquire the business," he explained.

Oyster recently reported its largest ever order book worth in excess of £80million, and the new ownership will allow construction to resume on its flagship project, the  Oyster 118 , which is still due for completion before the end of the year, the new management has confirmed. It is anticipated that more than 400 of the original 420-strong workforce will be rehired.

Hadida revealed that 25 further yachts are currently at various stages of completion across Oyster's two sites in Southampton and Wroxham, and confirmed that long-term design partner  Rob Humphreys  will continue his close collaboration with the yard.

"Oyster will have a much stronger and much more assured future now," Humphreys told Boat International . "I’ve known [Hadida] for more than two years now — he’s a very good sailor and passionate about the brand.

"I wrote to him early on when this all happened, but he didn’t need much encouragement. He’s a paid-up subscriber to the brand values and wants to push it forward and take it into new markets. It couldn’t be in better hands, really."

What's more, former  Sunseeker  COO and turnaround specialist Kim Stubbs has been brought on board — it is understood that his 'zero tolerance manufacturing' approach will form a key part of the new business plan.

"I firmly believe we can use the experience of the Sunseeker turnaround to deliver fast, and sustainable results at Oyster," Stubbs said. "We look forward to starting today to deliver on the clear promise of this remarkable sailing marque.”

The deal, which was concluded for an undisclosed sum, includes Oyster Marine Limited as well as Oyster Marine Holdings, meaning that the brand name and trademark, technical designs and drawings, build manuals, hull mouldings, machinery and subsidiary shares have all been purchased.

However the new company, which will trade under the name Oyster Yachts, will carry no liability for the 2015 sinking of the 27.43 metre sailing yacht  Polina Star III  and any subsequent legal action.

Speaking on behalf of the administrators KPMG, Neil Gostelow said: “We are delighted to have a concluded a sale of the business, ensuring the recommencement of yacht production together with the opportunities for employment that this will bring.”

Meanwhile, former Oyster CEO David Tydeman added: "I’m sure Richard will lead Oyster through the next chapter of its successful history with enthusiasm and care. Thanks to all the team for the fantastic achievements of the last decade — we’re handing Richard a great range of seven new models, and a more cohesive and global brand identity than when we started."

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Old Oyster worth considering?

• Thread starter PHN
• Start date 26 Dec 2019
• 26 Dec 2019

Still looking for a true blue water sailing yacht (38-40 ft) to be used for the next 10 years or so to sail the world. Mostly looking at the better AWB's of around year 2000. Occasionally an Oyster from the early 1980's pops up in adds at price levels a lot cheaper then HR and Najad of similar size and age. Currently we have a lot of youtube channels of young people sailing the world in these kind of "older/cheaper" boats. That makes me wonder if an older boat can be just as good/safe for my purpose, provided the running cost don't "compensate" for the lower purchase price. Or do you think that these older Oyster (and other quality brand) boats are close to "end of life" and just end up being a "money pit"?  

Hi there, we have an old Oyster 35, built in 1980, that we had since 2004 and have done lots of miles in, across the Atlantic, Biscay, West of Ireland, Spain and Portugal. Currently based in La Rochelle. I think they they work well as a liveaboard for a couple of people, our aft cabin is particularly spacious. Stowge is really very good for lengthy passage making, big tanks for fuel, 250 litre and water, 500 litres. Strong and secure and the quality of the build is a real positive when investing further money in new kit etc. Over the years we have put a lot of money into the boat,Hydrovane, rerigged, new engine, recovered deck, repainted the hull, new epoxy and coppercoat etc. etc ,and it is now looking like it is good for another 40 years. Sail well in stronger winds, but not much good in less that about 10knots of breeze, secure and predicable motion in a big ocean swell, so that you can still be in the cockpit drinking tea going downwind in a force 7/8. Our boat is completely unpredictable in reverse, so a bow thruster was required for dodging around in a marina, but that is the main complaint that I have. We could have easily bought a newer boat over the years, but the size works very well for us as a cruising couple and we decided to invest in the boat that we already have instead. We have a good forepeak cabin for guests but only one heads, galley is well designed , nav table is big enough for paper charts. I guess it depends what you call a money pit, we have spent a lot of money on the boat over the last fifteen years but the boat has been worked hard, and certainly earned its keep. Oyster 35 and 39 are very similar boats, I am not sure how many were built but not that many seem to be on the market at any time. The basic structure will last well so like anything else attention to the detail of an individual boat such as engine rigging etc. will repay dividends.  

Well-known member

Blimey where to start? Personally I'd all but forget about the age, make and model & look for a boat that's relatively conservatively rigged, has a keel/rudder configuration that's suited to long offshore passages & comfort/safety at sea as well as when in port/at anchor, a recent or low hours engine, recent standing rigging & sails, electronics that are adequate and sufficient and preferably already fitted with windvane self steering...  

V1701 said: Blimey where to start? Personally I'd all but forget about the age, make and model & look for a boat that's relatively conservatively rigged, has a keel/rudder configuration that's suited to long offshore passages & comfort/safety at sea as well as when in port/at anchor, a recent or low hours engine, recent standing rigging & sails, electronics that are adequate and sufficient and preferably already fitted with windvane self steering... Click to expand...

Graham376 said: And doesn't have a wooden deck. Click to expand...

V1701 said: Blimey where to start? Personally I'd all but forget about the age, make and model Click to expand...

• 27 Dec 2019

What I would look at on any yacht. and the more so on an older one, and I would look very carefully, at exactly what needs doing and what you will want to add. Subject to a structural survey the basic yacht will be fine. Its eveything else that will cost and make the boat more or less liveable. You cannot over think the costs either unless the cost is totally irrelevant. It seems to me almost every yacht has stuff not working and stuff about to stop working. Putting it all right takes money, time and effort, and, unless you have done it before usually at least double what you expect for each job. Once done it will be a very good buy I am sure as long as you have truly factored in all the costs - strart thinking about - do you need complete new navionics, radar will be very useful as well as AIS, what about the rigging, if its more than 10 years old it probably should be replaced, sails, you probably will want to set off with a new set unless they are less than 5 years old, fridge/freezers whats the state of the compressors and are they adequately insulated, what about the batteries, there is a good chance you may need a new bank, and are the chargers adequate, for blue water cruising a rework of the charging systems is often a must, have the tanks ever been cleaned so the list goes on. Speak to people who have really been blue water and work out exactly what you need, frankly the exact make and model matters less than a sound yacht with everything working in top condiiton and with the bells and wishes you want. I know some will say you can cruise without any of the bells and whistles - but in reality who really wants to? Lists may vary, but have your list and make sure everything on it WORKS, it will make the whole experience so much better.  

ip485 said: What I would look at on any yacht. and the more so on an older one, and I would look very carefully, at exactly what needs doing and what you will want to add. Subject to a structural survey the basic yacht will be fine. Its eveything else that will cost and make the boat more or less liveable. You cannot over think the costs either unless the cost is totally irrelevant. It seems to me almost every yacht has stuff not working and stuff about to stop working. Putting it all right takes money, time and effort, and, unless you have done it before usually at least double what you expect for each job. Once done it will be a very good buy I am sure as long as you have truly factored in all the costs - strart thinking about - do you need complete new navionics, radar will be very useful as well as AIS, what about the rigging, if its more than 10 years old it probably should be replaced, sails, you probably will want to set off with a new set unless they are less than 5 years old, fridge/freezers whats the state of the compressors and are they adequately insulated, what about the batteries, there is a good chance you may need a new bank, and are the chargers adequate, for blue water cruising a rework of the charging systems is often a must, have the tanks ever been cleaned so the list goes on. Speak to people who have really been blue water and work out exactly what you need, frankly the exact make and model matters less than a sound yacht with everything working in top condiiton and with the bells and wishes you want. I know some will say you can cruise without any of the bells and whistles - but in reality who really wants to? Lists may vary, but have your list and make sure everything on it WORKS, it will make the whole experience so much better. Click to expand...

I think that once a boat gets to about 10 years old, it become all about condition rather than age. A badly abused 10 year old boat is likely to be more of a liability than a 40 year old "pride and joy". Boats like Oysters tend to be more "pride and joy" yachts, so it's highly likely that you'll find something well cared for. There will always be things to repair/replace, especially when you start to use the boat properly as a liveaboard, but that just comes with the territory and will be true of anything you buy that's over 10 years old. Just also bear in mind that most cruising people spend 90% of their time at anchor, and only 10% of their time sailing, so buy something that works as a floating home and don't just buy based on sailing ability (but at the same time, get something you feel confident in).  

Thanks for the comments. I am fully aware what blue water sailing is and what it requires. Been there and done that. The boat will not become a floating home, but will be used for serious sailing around the world. My main concern is the question whether or not I can expect an old Oyster to be structurally sound and safe for sailing the world for another 10 years or so without spending substantially more money on it then when buying a newer AWB. Of course no 2 boats are alike and a survey must prove if a particular boat is OK. There is no intention to restore a "wreck" or anything like that. For the extra's "old" can be an advantage over a newer boat that "just not" needs replacement of all kind of things. When everyone agrees that sails, rigging and electronics must be replaced their value is zero and I can choose how I want to replace it. With a newer boat I am usually stuck with someone else's choices that I do have to pay for as part of the purchase price and still need to replace it in a couple of years. From there I have to do the math how much it will cost in purchase and refit to have what I want.  

Deleted member 36384

Still looking for a true blue water sailing yacht (38-40 ft) to be used for the next 10 years or so to sail the world. Mostly looking at the better AWB's of around year 2000. Click to expand...

I agree with BlowingOldBoots that a refit could easily cost as much as the boat cost to buy. Buying second hand is always about condition, it pays to buy the best available example rather than the cheapest one. However returning to the original question about possibly buying a 40 year old Oyster. Oysters of that age were built by Landamores and were properly built by people who knew yachts and what was needed to do the job right first time. They worked with Oyster from the late 1970's until 2012, so construction wise any Oyster from this period would be well built. About Us - Landamores Boatbuilders Established 1923 I should say know the Landamore family and have sailed with them in the distant past. Another quality range you could also consider is Contest. Built in a similar manner and my brother has owned two models, both of which were well built.  

PHN said: Thanks for the comments. I am fully aware what blue water sailing is and what it requires. Been there and done that. The boat will not become a floating home, but will be used for serious sailing around the world. Click to expand...

I have a 1975 Nicholson with a 2011 engine and good sails. She had been very well maintained. So far, in my ownership, steering, furler, electronics, cutless bearing, vane, autopilot, windlass. Coming up in 2021, drop the mast, replace rigging, topsides respray. Then think about the below decks stuff. The plumbing and wiring is fairly recent and well done, and I don't want to change the layout much. This is assuming no nasty surprises. Why do this? Well, I am used to older boats, the quality of the basic boat is absolutely superb, I get to choose the gear that goes onto and into her (important point) and it will all be more or less new. But to be honest she is a bit of an old man's E type - or perhaps in this case make that an Aston Martin DB5 - this was the design that impressed me more than any other when I was in my teens. Oh and if you think dark blue topsides are trouble, try red - or should we say blothchy pink?  

HappyAfloat

Active member.

This website may be of interest. A UK family buys a 1990 Oyster 435 and detail repairs required before they set off. Sailing Blog Archives • Growing a Pair  

This is both old and new.... and cheap as well...and built for the job: Boat Details - John Rodriguez Yachts Buy it please and save me having to keep gawping at it.  

ip485 said: Out of interest, have you done it as an owner? As to a floating home, I think the point the previous poster was making than even as a serious around the world sailor, you spend a lot of time at anchor, unless of course you are racing, or just doing it for the hell? Isnt the point to visit and explore lots of interesting places? Click to expand...

I have sailed on an 1970s Oyster-built boat, and whilst not a bad boat I didn't rate it as really much better built than a comparable aged Jeanneau Melody. In comparison however to my present similar sized mid-2000s Jeanneau, the old Jeanneau Melody was heavier, had much more real tree-wood in the accommodation, and didn't have a toerail held on with Sikaflex and self-tappers. As others have said, condition and maintenance are key, not age or builder.  

Lightwave395

doug748 said: This is both old and new.... and cheap as well...and built for the job: Boat Details - John Rodriguez Yachts Buy it please and save me having to keep gawping at it. Click to expand...

Lightwave395 said: No brainer really, just go buy it... Click to expand...

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This 90-foot luxurious sailing yacht features its own towboat and is on sale for over $5 million. Take a look inside.

We went onboard a $5 million luxury sailboat at a showcase in London.

The Oyster 885 comes with its own tow boat, four bedrooms, and private crew quarters.

Dan Wurzbacher, head of Oyster sales, said customers can personalize the yacht, which ups the price.

The Oyster 885, a $5 million sailing yacht, was showcased at a luxury boat event in central London. The yacht was built by British boat builder, Oyster.

The particular model at the London Luxury Afloat show was called "Clare." The owner was ready to sell the yacht after owning it for under 10 years.

The Oyster 885 is the biggest yacht that the company builds. It comes with four bedrooms that all have ensuites, as well as lounge spaces, a kitchen, crew quarters, and entertaining space on the top deck.

At the front of the deck, there's even a tow boat which carries passengers from shore to the yacht.

Dan Wurzbacher, US head of Oyster sales, told Insider that the base price of the Oyster 885 was $5 million but customers can personalize the yacht via options list, which increases the price.

Customers have the option to choose different layouts, colors, and materials for the exterior and interior design of the yacht, Wurzbacher said.

One of the most popular features of the yacht is the hydraulic folding bathing platforms that allow people to swim off the back of the yacht, Wurzbacher said.

Wurzbacher said the most common type of the customer the company sees buying the yachts is entrepreneurial.

This was the main lounge area inside the yacht. The glass sunroof let a lot of light into the space.

This lounge can substitute for a bedroom because the sofas pull out to become beds.

The crew members cook for the guests in the kitchen, which was very narrow.

Crew members can get access to the engine room through the kitchen to check up on the operations of the yacht.

The crew members sleep in an extremely narrow room on bunkbeds.

The most senior crew members or the captain sleeps in a slightly bigger room which has an ensuite.

The guest bedrooms are more spacious — one offers a double bed while the other room has a double bed. Both had private toilets.

The master bedroom, the largest room on the yacht, has a desk, a sofa next to the window, and a private toilet. Wurzbacher said another top feature for customers was the triple vertical seascape windows.

The master bedroom's toilet was far more spacious than the other toilets onboard and had a good amount of storage too.

Purchasing a yacht like the Oyster 885 "tends to be one of these things where... all your life events have to line up to be able to do something like this," Wurzbacher said, adding that it depends on finance, business, health and free time to use the boat.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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1990s Rolex Watches Ultimate Buying Guide

The 1990s were an interesting time for Rolex watches . The brand released one of its first entirely new models in decades and discontinued its original GMT-Master series. Rolex’s focus was shifting back towards perfecting its core models and away from the tumultuous Quartz era. This decade produced some of the brand’s more recognizable watches.

Join us as we take a closer look at popular 90s Rolex watches.

1990s Rolex Watches

Notable Rolex Watches from the 1990s

– Rolex Yacht-Master ref. 16628 and ref. 16622

– Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16710

– Rolex Submariner ref. 14060 and ref. 16610

– Rolex Datejust ref. 16233 and ref. 16234

– Rolex Explorer ref. 14270

– Rolex Explorer II ref. 16570

– Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 16600

Click here for our complete buying guide on Rolex Watches.

A Brief Rolex History: The Achievements that Shaped the 1990s

The Rolex catalog consists of several pillar models that have remained in production for decades. The brand’s dedication to perfecting its technologies contributes greatly to its success, as each watch produced is expected to last a lifetime. While expensive, Rolex watches are worth the investment as one can expect to wear the same watch for decades.

The brand was established in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf. Rolex earned its reputation for highly precise timepieces early on, becoming the first wristwatch to acquire the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision in 1910.

Numerous world-firsts and various other successes followed, ultimately shaping the Rolex brand as we know it today. In 1926, Rolex developed the Oyster case, creating the world’s first waterproof wristwatch. While it has since been tirelessly perfected over the past century, the Oyster case remains a fixture of the company’s catalog. A few years later, in 1931, the Perpetual movement was introduced, earning Rolex the title of the first-ever self-winding movement with a Perpetual rotor. This mechanism also remains a fixture of the Rolex portfolio, and together these two innovations serve as the backbone of the modern Rolex catalog.

Progress and Innovation

1945 marked the debut of the Datejust, which would go on to be one of the most popular watches in the 1990s. It was the first instance of an automatically changing date mechanism and utilized the Oyster case and Perpetual movement. The following decade saw the release of numerous core models, such as the Submariner, GMT-Master, Explorer, and Oyster Perpetual.

Skipping ahead to the 1970s and early 1980s, Rolex briefly shifted its focus to developing a Quartz movement worthy of the prestigious Rolex name. This era is often referred to as the Quartz Crisis as it saw a sharp decline in mechanical watch sales in favor of more accurate and affordable watches powered by Quartz movements.

While Rolex remained committed to further developing its technologies, the brand was not immune to the effects that the Quartz Crisis had on the Swiss watchmaking industry, and the Rolex Oysterquartz was created. A Quartz movement developed entirely by Rolex powered the watch, which also offered a modern and angular take on the immensely popular Datejust. That brings us to the 1990s and some of the most popular watches produced during that time.

Popular Rolex Watches from the 1990s

By the 1990s, much of the dust from the Quartz Crisis had settled, and Rolex returned its primary focus back towards perfecting its core models and purpose built tool watches. Many of the models that first emerged at the end of the 1980s and early 1990s would go on to define much of the Rolex brand as we know it today.

Rolex Yacht-Master References 16628 & 16622

Case Size: 40mm

Materials: 18k Yellow Gold; Stainless Steel & Platinum

Dial:  Multiple options available

Bezel:  Bidirectional, Gold or Platinum with 60-minute timing scale

Crystal: Sapphire w/ Cyclops magnification lens

Movement: Cal. 3135

Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet

The release of the Rolex Yacht-Master in 1992 was significant as it was one of the first brand new models from the company in decades. If its design looks familiar, that’s because it’s heavily inspired by the Submariner diver’s watch with a 60-minute bezel, similar Mercedes hands, and the same case size. However, while the Submariner was developed for use below the sea, the Yacht-Master is much more suited for life on the decks of a yacht with a more opulent design and a lower depth rating – the Submariner is water-resistant up to 300 meters while the Yacht-Master is waterproof up to 100 meters.

Part of the Yacht-Master’s immense success during the 1990s lies in its exquisite styling. The lugs are slightly more rounded than the Submariner, and the bezel (often presented in precious metals) features  a sand-blasted finish with raised and polished graduations.

The model debuted in all-gold with the ref. 16628, followed shortly by the mid-size and ladies editions a few years later, and then the steel and platinum Rolesium ref. 16622 in 1999. Several other editions have also since been released, including those fitted with ceramic bezels. However, the all-gold and Rolesium editions remain the most representative of Rolex watches produced during the 1990s.

Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 16710

Materials:  Stainless Steel

Dial:  Black w/ White Gold markers

Bezel:  Bidirectional, Aluminum insert with 24-hour scale

Movement: Cal. 3185

Bracelet: Oyster or Jubilee Bracelet

The reference 16710 was released in the late 1980s and remained one of the most sought-after editions of the coveted pilot’s watch throughout the 1990s and well into the mid-2000s before it was finally discontinued in favor of the 6-digit ref. 116710. While it wasn’t a completely new model as the standard GMT-Master had been in production since the mid 1950s, the GMT-Master II was still a very innovative addition to the Rolex catalog as it introduced an independent 24-hour hand. Now that the 24-hour hand is independent, the wearer can read two time zones on the dial and a third on the bezel.

The very first GMT-Master II ref. 16760 was released several years prior to the introduction of the ref. 16710 in 1983, and is often referred to by avid collectors as the “Fat Lady” after the case’s slightly thicker proportions. This was necessary to accommodate the new movement with its independent 24-hour hand. The ref. 16710 debuted a more refined and slimmed-down design, perfecting the first generation of the GMT-Master II.

During its nearly 20-year production run, the ref. 16710 featured either Tritium or LumiNova (and then later Super-LumiNova on its dial, holes or no holes on the case, three different bezel color options. Among the most iconic is the “Pepsi” bezel with a red and blue insert, although the series was also produced with a red and black “Coke” bezel and even an all-black option.

Rolex Submariner 14060

Bezel:  Unidirectional, Aluminum insert with 60-minute timing scale

Crystal: Sapphire

Movement: Cal. 3000

When the Submariner debuted in the 1950s, it did not have a date on the dial. As a professional diver’s tool watch, there wasn’t initially a need for a date mechanism. However, as popularity for the beloved James Bond Rolex soared, Rolex released an edition with the date prominently displayed at the 3-hour marker during the 1960s. Despite the popularity of the date-displaying model, Rolex always continued to make a no-date varant, with the ref. 14060 making an appearance in 1990.

The “No Date” Submariner, as many have come to know it, remained in production throughout the 1990s. It stays true to Rolex’s commitment to luxury with lumed plots in white gold surrounds while also offering substantial water-resistance up to 1,000 feet. As a modern Submariner, the ref. 14060 also received a unidirectional bezel for safer timing while underwater, a high-beat Perpetual movement, and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal over the dial. At 40mm in diameter, it also keeps the standard size and weight that many collectors desire, and the ref. 14060 along with the date-displaying ref. 16610 became incredibly popular models for Rolex during the 1990s.

Rolex Datejust 16233

Case Size:  36mm

Materials:  Stainless Steel & Yellow Gold

Bezel:  Fixed, 18k gold, Fluted style

No list of popular 1990s Rolex watches would be complete without the Datejust 16233 in two-tone. Although it was released in the late 1980s, the reference 16233 remained in production throughout the entire next decade. It exudes 90s style with a flawless pairing of stainless steel and yellow gold with the brand’s iconic fluted bezel.

The ref. 16233 replaced the Datejust 16013, bringing with it numerous upgrades. The acrylic crystal was swapped out for sapphire, and the movement was upgraded from the Caliber 3035 to the Caliber 3135 with a 48-hour power reserve and a transverse balance bridge. However, the case size and bracelet options remain the same, with the case measuring 36mm in diameter and paired with either the 5-link Jubilee bracelet or 3-link Oyster. While there are numerous dial options available, champagne remains the most iconic and prevalent.

On the wrist, the ref. 16233 is undeniably a 90s Rolex. Whereas the modern Datejust feels heftier with completely solid bracelet links, the ref. 16233 features hollow end-links and center links. This design element allows the Datejust to maintain a slightly more affordable price point and gives it the classic feel of the watches from the 1980s and 1990s.

The Value of 1990s Rolex Watches

Among all Rolex watches both vintage and modern, it is often those from the 1990s that are the most affordable. Old enough to offer a savings compared to the current-production models, but not old enough yet to be accompanied by the steep price premiums that often accompany Rolex models from the 1960s or 1970s, the various models from the 1990s offer tremendous value for the money.

Offering a refined aesthetic that is the definition of “classic Rolex” – long before the arrival of Super Cases and ceramic bezels – the Rolex watches from the 1990s represent a defining time in the brands history. Many of the Rolex models from the 1990s hold their value incredibly well simply because they boast the 5-point coronet on their dial. Additionally, just like all Rolex watches, if properly maintained, they can outlive their owners and become cherished heirlooms for further generations to enjoy.

About Paul Altieri

Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. - the largest and most trusted name in luxury watches. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. His experience spans over 35 years and he has been published in numerous publications including Forbes, The NY Times, WatchPro, and Fortune Magazine. Paul is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the watch industry and e-commerce, and regularly engages with other professionals in the industry. He is a member of the IWJG, the AWCI and a graduate of the GIA. Alongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces. In an interview with the WSJ lifestyle/fashion editor Christina Binkley, Paul opened his vault to display his extensive collection of vintage Rolex Submariners and Daytonas. Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.

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Your brokerage questions answered

We are the original manufacturer and we know Oyster Yachts inside out. We have sold over 900 pre-owned Oysters, from 26 to 100 feet, and have an extensive collection of Oysters for sale.

Yes, the Brokerage team will be with you every step of the way. We will help you sort out the transfer of ownership, insurance, licences and registration

This depends on the buyer's situation but, on average, it takes four to six weeks to buy a brokerage yacht from first enquiry to signing the paperwork.

Prices can be negotiable, depending on the circumstances. For example, the length of time the yacht has been on the market may open the door to a discussion about the price.

We can introduce you to third party finance options, which are only available for buying a pre-owned yacht.

In short, yes! We strongly recommend this, using an independent surveyor, so you know exactly what you are buying.

Yes, just ask - if it's available we'll be happy to share it with you.

Yes, as soon as we have contracts and deposit in place

We do not issue a warranty but you should be reassured by the results of your survey.

Lots of factors can have an effect - whether it is the price of the yacht, where it is located and its condition.

Oyster Brokerage is the pre-owned Oyster specialist, with unrivalled expertise in buying and selling brokerage Oysters. We have brought buyers and sellers together for more than 38 years.

KYC stands for Know Your Customer. Oyster Yachts is fully regulated and must comply with UK legislation, so we do KYC checks on all potential owners.

You will get the original title documentation and key documents when you take delivery of your yacht.

We are accredited by the ABYA in the UK, YBAA in the USA, MYBA - Mediterranean in Palma

Yes - we are willing to offer support for any transaction in terms of advice or assistance during the process.

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OYSTER WORLD RALLY

The Oyster World Rally 2028-29. Embark on the sailing adventure of a lifetime. Entries open 18 June 2024

The new 565 Series II

The pursuit of perfection continues

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The new oyster 885gt revealed. watch her in action.

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Winner of European Yacht of the Year 2023. She sets a new 50 foot bluewater benchmark, offering a stunning combination of sailing performance, comfort, safety and luxurious living space.

Heralding a new generation of Oysters, this 60 foot bluewater cruiser is a sailing yacht for all oceans. Practical and well-provisioned for long distance sailing or cruising in coastal waters.

The much-anticipated Oyster 595 is well-proportioned and extremely versatile. Offering exciting, customised build options with no compromise, she is capable of great things.

A versatile sub-70 foot sailboat offering the perfect balance of size and practicality. She can be sailed shorthanded effortlessly or take a full crew and up to eight friends and family.

This long range 75 foot cruising yacht is designed for very big adventures. A joy to sail yourself, she also boasts dedicated crew quarters.

Oyster 885SII

An exhilarating 90 foot sailing yacht, delivering comfort and safety with uncompromising performance. She is capable of taking you anywhere in the world effortlessly, in luxury and style.

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