oyster 41 yacht review

Privacy Guaranteed - your email is never shared with anyone, opt out any time.

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.

Continues below…

ON TEST: Spirit 44e – the sustainable future of sailing?

A wooden boat that blazes a trail for modern technology and sustainability sounds too good to be true. Theo Stocker…

First look: Southerly 42 – bluewater beauty

There are few high-end bluewater cruising yachts that can boast a draught of just 84cm (3ft). While this increases to…

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

• BOAT OF THE YEAR
• Newsletters
• Sailboat Reviews
• Boating Safety
• Sails and Rigging
• Maintenance
• Sailing Totem
• Sailor & Galley
• Living Aboard
• Destinations
• Gear & Electronics
• Charter Resources
• Ultimate Boat Giveaway

Sailboat Review: Oyster 495 Combines Performance and Power In Under 50 Feet

• By Kimball Livingston
• October 27, 2023

Few boats would merit a glance from a savvy, experienced skipper looking to consolidate the best qualities of his performance cruiser and his motoryacht into just one boat.

Someone might even ask: “Are you kidding me? Can you do that?”

Enter the Oyster 495.

As the smallest yacht the company has developed from concept since 2005, the 495 is rigorously detailed. It is true to the heritage of a builder where a 50-footer has become the entry-level model. 

For this latest raised-salon offering, Oyster created a new facility in Hythe, on the Southampton shores of southern England. The aim is to build 12 boats a year, and sales to date suggest that this figure is not overly ambitious. 

I encountered Genevieve , the well-traveled Hull No. 1, in Southern California, where the boat had been delivered to the owner in Santa Barbara after being shown extensively in Europe. She was purchased to replace a performance cruiser and a powerboat. 

First impressions count, and the 495 makes a great one. If you’re switching over from a different brand, forget about bringing along your plates and glassware. All of that is provided, with subtle logos and fitted stowage. Mood lighting is available at the touch of a button. The TV raises and disappears with another button. In the guest stateroom forward, hatches overhead open in opposite directions. The queen berth in the owner’s stateroom could be a boat-show sales tool, but the cabin top is equipped for the lee cloths you will need when the boat is doing what it is meant to do: go places. 

To that end, an aluminum mast with electric furling is standard, but Genevieve is equipped with a Seldén carbon rig with in-mast electric furling and a hydraulics package including a mainsheet, vang, outhaul, backstay, and ­in-boom ram. In operation, it was whisper-quiet. 

The twin wheels offer clear sightlines from secure footing, along with command posts that have buttons to deploy and furl sails, and to adjust everything adjustable without straining a finger or risking a hangnail. Lewmar EVO primaries are handy, just outboard of the helm stations. Optional dual thrusters make everyone a hero going and coming to the dock, and smaller items such as pre-rigged preventers speak to that shadowy concierge who seems to have been everywhere. 

With four of us aboard, the cockpit was more than ­generous. I imagined many sociable scenes to come as the sails came out. The Yanmar saildrive was so quiet, it had to go off for me to even notice it had been on. Put that down to sandwich insulation glued, not screwed. 

The breeze was single digits, not enough to make the boat light up under a 105 percent jib, and we were dragging a wide transom and two rudders. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable sailing. I also appreciated seeing the cabin house square to the seating, to make a comfortable backrest looking aft, stretched out on passage. Rounding the forward backing the way some manufacturers do may work when you’re not going anywhere, but what is a boat for? 

The cockpit is laid out to walk on a single level back to a full-beam lazarette, which has ample stowage and access to the steering, backstay, exhaust and seacocks. Step back farther, and you are stepping down a reverse transom to a shower and an electronically operated swim platform. When the boat is stern-tied, that will be the boarding ladder. 

Belowdecks is bright, with close attention to ­ventilation. The opening coachroof windows in the salon will delight passengers in a tropical anchorage with the breeze wafting through. Batteries and tankage are centered under the salon sole, focusing the weight where it belongs. A U-shaped galley, two steps down to port, places most of the cook’s needs at hand in a space where it will be easy to brace underway, and the cook is not isolated from crew and guests. The twin sinks are on centerline for efficient drainage. 

The saloon table lowers to bed height for those who are overblessed with kids or grandkids, and the step-down nav station is separated but not isolated. A swing-out computer screen is here, along with CZone control and monitoring instead of fuse panels. A freezer is abaft the nav station, where it won’t see a lot of traffic unless it’s stocked with ice cream for those kids. 

Opposite the nav station, twin doors open wide to an engine compartment thoughtfully laid out to be serviced without provoking naughty words. Clear labeling matters, and I liked seeing the Panda generator within a sound-­insulated compartment.  

All the way aft, the owner’s stateroom has 6 feet, 4 inches of headroom, a sofa, cedar-lined lockers, escape hatches, and Oyster’s signature vertical portlights for a special view of the world. Forward of the salon is a cozy over/under double that shares a head and shower with the bright and airy forward stateroom. Nowhere above or belowdecks does the level of fit-and-finish fall short. 

Oyster describes the hull as an “overspecified laminate resin structure with a combination of stringers and frames for extreme strength and durability.” I believe it. Genevieve had the L-shaped standard keel and a draft of 7 feet, 5 inches. A shoal-draft keel is an option. 

Lunch waited ashore, ­creating an opportunity to ­observe how magically the sails disappeared and how comfortably the boat motored at 9-plus knots. It’s replacing a powerboat, remember. There was also a moment to ­demonstrate that, under power, the Oyster 495 will spin in its own length. That gave me a grin too.

Oyster 495 Specifications

• More: Oyster Yachts , Print September 2023 , Sailboat Reviews , Sailboats
• More Sailboats

Sailboat Preview: Elan GT6 Explorer

For Sale: 1984 Camper & Nicholsons 58

Alubat Updates OVNI Models

For Sale: Little Harbor 63 Ketch

From Paradise to Medical Emergency: A Bahamas Nightmare Turns Lesson Learned

Free Medical Advice: The Unwarranted, Unprofessional Edition

Gatekeepers of the Waterway

Rigging Redo: Our Switch to Synthetic

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Email Newsletters
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

• New Sailboats
• Sailboats 21-30ft
• Sailboats 31-35ft
• Sailboats 36-40ft
• Sailboats Over 40ft
• Sailboats Under 21feet
• used_sailboats
• Apps and Computer Programs
• Communications
• Fishfinders
• Handheld Electronics
• Plotters MFDS Rradar
• Wind, Speed & Depth Instruments
• Anchoring Mooring
• Running Rigging
• Sails Canvas
• Standing Rigging
• Diesel Engines
• Off Grid Energy
• Cleaning Waxing
• DIY Projects
• Repair, Tools & Materials
• Spare Parts
• Tools & Gadgets
• Cabin Comfort
• Ventilation
• Footwear Apparel
• Foul Weather Gear
• Mailport & PS Advisor
• Inside Practical Sailor Blog
• Activate My Web Access
• Reset Password
• Customer Service

• Free Newsletter

Ericson 41 Used Boat Review

Mason 33 Used Boat Review

Beneteau 311, Catalina 310 and Hunter 326 Used Boat Comparison

Maine Cat 41 Used Boat Review

Tips From A First “Sail” on the ICW

Tillerpilot Tips and Safety Cautions

Best Crimpers and Strippers for Fixing Marine Electrical Connectors

Thinking Through a Solar Power Installation

Getting the Most Out of Older Sails

How (Not) to Tie Your Boat to a Dock

Stopping Mainsheet Twist

Working with High-Tech Ropes

Fuel Lift Pump: Easy DIY Diesel Fuel System Diagnostic and Repair

Ensuring Safe Shorepower

Sinking? Check Your Stuffing Box

The Rain Catcher’s Guide

Boat Repairs for the Technically Illiterate

Boat Maintenance for the Technically Illiterate: Part 1

Whats the Best Way to Restore Clear Plastic Windows?

Mastering Precision Drilling: How to Use Drill Guides

Giving Bugs the Big Goodbye

Galley Gadgets for the Cruising Sailor

Those Extras you Don’t Need But Love to Have

UV Clothing: Is It Worth the Hype?

Preparing Yourself for Solo Sailing

How to Select Crew for a Passage or Delivery

Preparing A Boat to Sail Solo

On Watch: This 60-Year-Old Hinckley Pilot 35 is Also a Working…

On Watch: America’s Cup

On Watch: All Eyes on Europe Sail Racing

Dear Readers

Chafe Protection for Dock Lines

• Sailboat Reviews
• Subscriber Only

The Ericson 41 is a solidly built coastal cruiser that can go offshore as well. If you're into stylish lines and warm wood interiors, this is a fiberglass-hulled option that sets you apart from the production boat pack.

Sailing the Salish Sea on Canada’s west coast is the dream of many a sailor. With a lifetime of sailing dinghies and messing about with family boats at various points across Canada,  Scott decided to explore opportunities in the marine world upon retirement. With the intention of relocating to Sidney, British Columbia with his wife Jane, he explored the possibility of establishing a small business re-conditioning older boats to supplement their retirement income. In his search for suitable boats Scott headed to the Seattle area in 2003, where he promptly fell in love with a well-used 1970 Ericson 41. Imagine his wife’s surprise with the phone call announcing the purchase of their first cruising sailboat! Naming the newest member of the family Lady Jane smoothed the somewhat ruffled waters.

Subscribe to Practical Sailor

Already subscribed, related articles more from author.

Safeguarding Sailors via Passage Guardian

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Log in to leave a comment

Latest Videos

What’s the Best Sailboats for Beginners?

Why Does A Sailboat Keel Fall Off?

The Perfect Family Sailboat! Hunter 27-2 – Boat Review

Pettit EZ-Poxy – How to Paint a Boat

Latest sailboat review.

• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell My Personal Information
• Online Account Activation
• Privacy Manager

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.

Article continues below…

British tech entrepreneur buys Oyster Yachts, boat building to resume

Oyster Yachts has been bought from administrators by British gaming software entrepreneur Richard Hadida. Hadida won the bid from a…

Rustler 57 review: This traditional British cruiser was built to rule the waves

Rustler’s stunning new flagship, the Rustler 57 may cause you to re-evaluate what comfort is all about when cruising

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.

The Oyster 495 Review

Monday, 1st august 2022, by matthew sheahan, after four days and three nights, the goal had been achieved, our 200-mile test aboard the oyster 495 had allowed us to get under the skin of this eagerly awaited new model. yet, despite the amount of time that we had spent on a trip that had taken us to the channel islands and back, i had deliberately refrained from asking one question straightaway – why a fifty-footer.

It might seem odd not to start with this, after all, Oyster Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Adamson, was aboard and has been close to this project from its early beginnings. Asking him at the outset would have established what design parameters had been set, making it easier to judge whether the final product had succeeded in hitting the target. But throughout the development process, it was clear that the 495’s route to reality has been different. Instead, I wanted to let the new model do the talking, at least to start with.

She was conceived while the 565 and 595 were sliding into the spotlight as the new double act revealed a new direction for Oyster. But behind the scenes, there was little doubt as to how important the newbie of the fleet would be. For starters, while 50 feet isn’t exactly small for many builders, for Oyster the 495 would be the new entry-level model and would still need to bear the trademark characteristics of the marque - quality, performance and reliability. She needed to be just as capable as a long-distance bluewater cruiser as any of her larger sisterships, while her build quality and production values needed to match the bigger boats in every way too.

RENOWNED YACHTING JOURNALIST, MATTHEW SHEAHAN, GIVES THE NEW 495 A RUN FOR HER MONEY ON AN EXTENDED PASSAGE OUT TO THE CHANNEL ISLANDS. READ ON TO DISCOVER HIS VERDICT ON THIS 50 FOOT BLUEWATER BENCHMARK.

Underway & On Deck

But it was also clear that this punchy and compact world cruiser would need to deliver at the other end of the scale and provide the perfect solution for coastal trips and weekend family cruising.

So, while it was important for her to have long legs for the big trips, she would also need to be easy to handle, and nimble at close quarters in confined busy harbours to inspire confidence among owners, some of whom may be new to the sailing world. And this made her an ambitious project right from the start.

So, with that in mind, we decided to take her offshore to replicate what many will use her for and find out how she would fare on a typical long weekend cruise.

It might have been the beginning of the working week, but the River Hamble in mid-summer is a busy place whatever the day and leaving the dock using the Sleipner Sidepower retractable bow and stern thrusters addressed one of the biggest issues for those that may be new, nervous or both about close quarters handling. The ability to slide sideways away from the quay is only one of several impressive party tricks that have become commonplace aboard the modern Oyster range and is a manoeuvre that says much about this boat from the off.

The ability to spin her around in her own length by using the two thruster controls without moving the wheel is another manoeuvre that provides an early tick in one of the most important boxes for many potential owners.

Once away and in open water, the sea breeze was yet to build, forcing us to motor for the first stage of our passage out of the Solent as we pushed against the flood tide. As we headed west towards Hurst Narrows, she sat at 9 knots with ease as the engine hovered at 2,300rpm. This, as we were to discover, is her happy speed and provided the first indication of a boat that will eat up the miles.

As the breeze started to build from the east as we entered the Needles Channel, we tucked in towards Alum Bay to avoid the worst of the foul tide and set sail in the flat water in the lee of the Isle of Wight.

Both the headsail and mainsail on this boat use Seldén furling systems. The standard for boats with an alloy mast is for electrically powered systems for both sails. But on this boat, with her carbon in-mast furling system that saves around 85kg over the standard spar, the mainsail has a hydraulic system. In both cases, the operation is a push-button affair. The genoa system has the benefit of having two-speed furling, while the mainsail on the carbon mast configuration has an ingenious single button system for deploying and furling which operates both the furler and the outhaul simultaneously.

The mainsheet arrangement is also a pushbutton affair that makes use of a hydraulic ‘magic ram’ inside the boom that operates a reverse purchase system to create a sufficient range for the mainsheet’s travel. A winch and a 2:1 mainsheet alternative is available for those who prefer a more conventional configuration.

Once past the Needles, a steady 10-14 knot breeze from the east allowed us to reach towards Alderney at around 7-8 knots with the asymmetric kite set. But as we drew away from the influence of the land and a high-pressure system started to slide in on top of us, the breeze gradually died.

So, as the realities of life and deadlines took over and driven by the need to be at the notorious tidal race at the gateway to the Channel Islands with fair tide, we fired up the engine once again.

Oyster yachts

Explore our award-winning, rally-proven fleet of luxurious bluewater sailing yachts

The ability of the 495 to maintain a decent pace whether under sail or power is a big advantage, whether you are on a long trans-ocean passage or looking to extend your weekend cruising grounds. Given what I had experienced during sailing trials aboard the 565 and 595, it wasn’t surprising to discover a sprightly performance under sail. Her Humphreys-designed hull and appendage package is a very similar configuration and with the added benefit of a carbon spar and good quality sails, she delivered what was expected of her.

What was more of a surprise was the ease and comfort with which she will cruise under engine. Oysters are always quiet, but the 495 takes this onto another level where noise and vibration are minimal.

The following day, after spending the night in Guernsey’s main harbour St Peter Port, conditions had perked up significantly, with a 15-18 knot breeze from the northeast as we headed across to Sark. With the wind against the tide, the sea state had built too, perfect conditions to assess her handling at the top of the range for a full sail.

Once again, like her two bigger sisters, the 495 is surefooted and powerful, her twin rudder configuration and beamy sections aft coming into their own. The result is a boat you can get to grips with quickly and feel confident that she’ll let you know when she’s feeling overpressed.

The more boisterous sea state also revealed how easy and secure her deck layout is when you’re punching upwind. I’ve long been a fan of the twin-wheel configuration for just this reason as it allows you to move safely about the cockpit while also providing great visibility from either of the wheels.

Be it the seating around the helm station or the comfort of the cockpit coamings for those who prefer to sit facing inboard, ergonomically speaking I’d say this is one of the best layouts so far.

Add to this the push buttons, winches and control lines which are all close to hand for both helm and crew, this is an easy boat to sail, fully crewed or alone. Even when dropping anchor, a remote deployment system that can be operated from the helm station makes light work of it all.

Be it hoisting or stowing the asymmetric spinnaker from the sail locker in the bow or retrieving fenders and warps from the cavernous aft lazarette, her deck layout is straightforward and broadly the same as her sisterships and yet you can’t help wondering how a 50-footer feels like she has the capacity of a much bigger boat.

Elsewhere, as you move around the side decks, the space and secure feel is again more common aboard bigger models where the scaling effects make it easier to let layouts breathe.

But some aspects have become common across the modern Oyster range, such as the way the jib sheets are led back through fairleads set close to the coamings to ensure that there is never any risk of them flailing around close to the guest cockpit.

The central cockpit table not only provides a convivial part of the space on deck but ensures that there is always somewhere to brace yourself against, whether moving around or seated. But the 495 also differs in some areas. The bathing platform is a good example.

“At this size of boat, having a folding transom adds a fair bit of weight and complexity. Handling the platform as it opens and closes requires some heavy equipment,” said Adamson. “So, our designers came up with an electrically driven cassette system that extends out from the transom, allowing us to save weight in this area while maintaining the solid feel.”

Interior Gallery

Take a look around inside

Accomodation

Below decks, the feeling of space that has been achieved through her ample beam and volume in the main saloon is accentuated by the light that streams in through the now ubiquitous Seascape windows in the hull. The Cool Oak finish helps to achieve a fresh and vibrant feel without feeling stark or showy. And when it comes to the quality of fit-out there is little that needs to be said other than the standard is precisely the same level as across all the boats in the range.

The most noticeable and indeed significant difference however is the galley arrangement. Here the U-shaped area on the port side is a departure from the norm where Oyster galleys are typically longitudinal affairs within the walkway through to the owner’s cabin. This new configuration frees up the passageway aft and avoids the galley dance that is frequently required when gaining access to the master cabin.

Being in the centre of the boat, the galley is low down and provides a very secure and workable area with decent worktop space and good access to stowage whichever tack you are on.

And while focussing on the working areas of the accommodation, the navigation station is set opposite the galley on the starboard side. This also provides a good secure area in the middle of the boat with space for charts and pilot books along with plenty of instruments as well as an innovative computer screen that is mounted on the inside face of what is essentially a locker door. When opened, the screen sits directly in front of the navigator, a neat solution to a familiar issue.

In many ways, the space in the owner’s cabin aft would not be surprising if you were aboard a boat 10 foot longer. But once again, the fact is that the volume that is available in this cabin is far more than you would expect. The same goes for the heads and shower stall. But she is what she is, and you are left trying to figure out how the designers have done it.

The same is true of the forward guest double which has plenty of headroom and volume within modern bow sections that are characteristically slender.

If there is one detail below decks that is common across all the new models, it is the mood lighting, where a fresh new approach has created a sumptuous look and feel once the sun goes down. And for passage making, once you become familiar with the light switch protocol that is now common to all the current range, slipping into night mode is easy and effective wherever you are in the accommodation.

Construction and Systems 

Under her skin, the 495 hull is a Vinylester solid laminate in the slamming regions of her forward sections. The monolithic laminate is also in place around the keel area and extends to behind the engine. Elsewhere, the hull is a sandwich construction with a 25mm structural foam, closed cell core, in a resin-infused laminate that incorporates carbon unidirectional fibres.

The deck structure is much the same and in keeping with others in the range. But once again, it is the ingenious layout of her systems and services within the engine room and under the cabin sole that reinforce how much effort has been spent on ensuring that she’s a practical boat to service and maintain.

That starts with an engine room that is significantly larger and easier to access than some of her predecessors, an advantage that stems from the wide beam that is carried well aft and creates significantly more volume. The U-shaped galley also plays its part when it comes to accessibility.

While there is sufficient volume to get inside, it’s not necessary for daily checks and maintenance.

Not only is the 110hp Yanmar saildrive easy to get to, but the seacocks and sea chests for filtering the water inlets are also easily accessible, as are the fuel filters. The saildrive configuration also means that the generator can be mounted behind the engine, (in front is more common) and is slightly offset to starboard, making it easily accessed as well.

Find out more

More information

And if that wasn’t enough, there is good access from the port side of the boat too.

The impressive amount of volume has allowed around 80 per cent of the systems to be sited here close to amidships, just where you would want the weight to be - an argument that is also valid for the remaining systems that are outside the engine room.

Tankage for fuel and water, batteries, chargers and breakers are all sited under the saloon floor in the central part of the boat, where simply lifting the floorboards provides easy and instant access.

An interesting detail here is that the grey water tank for the sinks and showers has been positioned in the keel stub. While this is just above the bilge sump, it is still very low down in the boat. When the grey water level rises, a float switch activates a pump and the water is discharged overboard. But the system can also be isolated to ensure that emptying the grey water tank only happens offshore.

Conclusions

After three days, it was time to head back to the Hamble and while the breeze had played to the forecast and decayed as the sun set, heading back across the English Channel overnight provided plenty of downtime to contemplate our trip and this plucky new model.

Aside from the constant reminder that this boat sets completely new standards for volume and space, what comes across clearly is that this is a boat that is not only well mannered, quiet, quick and comfortable, but she’s easy to get to grips with. And in the context of an entry-level boat, this surely must be the most important feature of all.

So, while the question as to what was so special about this 50-footer had set the broad agenda, the answer had revealed itself naturally over the course of 200 miles.

And while Adamson was quick to confirm that a large part of the focus for this design was intended to introduce the next generation of cruising sailors to Oyster, the real question was now, how many agree? “We have six currently in build in the new factory in Hythe with another 10 waiting to get started,” he said. Given that we were sailing boat number one that had only been launched a few weeks earlier, it was clear that a vote of confidence on the newest and arguably boldest Oyster to date had already been delivered.

Real-life adventure, sailing insights and everything Oyster Yachts.

Sign up to our newsletter

Be the first to hear about new launches, exclusive events and all things Oyster

© 2024 OYSTER YACHTS

OYSTER WORLD RALLY

Entries for the Oyster World Rally 2028-29 are now open. Embark on the sailing adventure of a lifetime

The new 565 Series II

The pursuit of perfection continues

Oyster Charter

Experience exhilarating sailing, luxury and style on an Oyster charter

New 565 Series II

LUXURY CHARTER

Experience exhilarating sailing, luxury and style on an oyster charter. personal, exclusive and uniquely oyster.

Oyster 825 iSNL

Discover this exceptional late model 825 with a unbeatable spec and a bespoke layout.

oyster ownership

Personalised care, unforgettable experiences and lifelong yacht support, oyster world rally.

ENTRIES OPEN

Embark on the sailing adventure of a lifetime. entries are now open for the oyster world rally 2028-29.

Follow the Oyster World Rally 2024-25 fleet live

Winner of European Yacht of the Year 2023. She is a new breed of luxury 50 foot yacht, offering effortless shorthanded sailing capability.

A magnificent, award-winning sub 60 foot sailing yacht, offering luxurious living space and outstanding shorthanded sailing capability.

A beautifully proportioned 60 foot, luxury liveaboard bluewater cruiser, offering effortless shorthanded sailing capability.

A superb sub 70 foot ocean sailboat offering versatile luxury living space and impeccable sailing performance.

An inspired 75 foot yacht, offering infinite configuration options, generous luxury living space and flexible crew quarters.

Oyster 885SII

The remarkable, iconic 90 foot sailboat, perfect for relaxed luxury voyages of discovery.

First name *

Last name *

Phone number *

Country/Region *

Attach CV *

Attach covering letter

Current occupation

LinkedIn profile

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• About The Boat
• Boat Review Forum
• SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Oyster 39, Should I buy it?

• Add to quote

Hello, Does anyone know anything about the Oyster 39' ketch? I'm looking at a 1979 boat that seems in reasonable shape, but I'm drawing blanks trying to find out anything about these boats on the net. Any help would be terrific! Tanny  

I have no personal experience with Oyster, but for what it's worth, everyone that I've seen has been a gem. They are profiled in The World's Best Sailboats, Volume 2 by Ferenc Mate. I have the book and the profile will make you drool. They are extremely high quality boats with great attention paid to detail. Sorry that I can not provide specifics. Amazon.com: The World's Best Sailboats, Volume 2 (9780920256442): Ferenc Máté, Ferenc Mate: Books  

Oyster 39, Should I buy it? Click to expand...

The 39 was extremely popular due to her excellent accommodation for a yacht of this size. One of the best-known examples, Morningtown, was radio relay vessel throughout the 1979 Fastnet storm and stayed at sea, without incident, in some of the UK's most severe weather. Click to expand...

eherlihy said: ...and if your query is with regard to the 1979 model on eBay, it looks like a beautiful boat. Oyster Ketch, 39' Blue Water Cruiser : eBay Motors (item 140374187156 end time Jan-23-10 15:32:37 PST) The current price of $28,100 is ridiculously low. That boat, however, is in St. Martin. Oyster's website says this about the 39; I have been aboard the Rona II. The hull is an Oyster, but the Rona syndicate finishes off the interior. The hull on that boat is like a tank. Oyster is known for the fit & finish of their interior. Click to expand...

If you post your question on a UK based forum such as YM Scuttlebut you should get a response. Never had one or looked at one but they are well regarded in the UK as a top quality cruising boat.  

Plenty of pictures here... as has been mentioned Oyster has a good rep.. none of these are in North America. Oyster (Sail) Boats For Sale  

Here is a once in a lifetime offer. I am willing to let you buy the oyster and I will give it a one or two year shakedown and report on the positives and negatives of the boat. In the meantime you can borrow my Mariner 28. My boat does need new batteries and an autopilot so I'd appreciate it if you'd take care of those details. Just kidding of course. I've always heard great things about oysters, but like any boat get a survey and take a test sail. Any great boat can be ruined by a bad owner. Good luck.  

Yea buy it! You should give me the Mariner 28, you won't be needing it anymore. jk  

Buy It!!  

During my boat selection phases I looked at a couple of Oysters and was impressed at their massive solidity. They are designed as solid bluewater boats - with all that that entails. They tend to be heavy, full-keeled boats that are not particularly fast (hence they always race against other Oysters) but they will get there. You will get a lot of looks, sort of like driving up in a Bentley. If all you intend to do is local and coastal sailing then the Oyster might not be the optimal boat, you might want one that is faster or sprightlier or that has more light belowdecks and bigger open spaces. As a British boat, the electrics might be worth checking into; but assuming typical Oyster maintenance the hull and sail systems will be top-notch. How serious are you on this boat? I have a friend sailing up the islands and who is supposed to be in St. Martin sometime soon and who would certainly take a look at the boat to see if there are any major "gotchas" that would preclude doing a survey. There are a LOT of boats in the lagoon that will never make it out of there on their own and on the surface, but an Oyster is unlikely to be in that category. PM me if you are interested in pursuing it.  

If it is indeed the one listed on eBay then, if the pictures are recent and the items listed are all present and functional, the boat is a very good deal. St. Martin is also the best place in the Caribbean to source parts and supplies and spares and labour is qualified and will get the job done. I can also recommend a surveyor for you, he would fly from the BVI ($150 airfare or so) and check out the boat.  

Heard nothing but good about them.I think it will go much higher though.Best of luck.marc  

I've decided against this boat - and yes, it's the same one listed on eBay, but it was brought to my attention by my broker. My reasons were mainly its size, its teak decks and inconvenient dingy access. The boat is in good shape for a '79, and I got a hold of a survey done in 2008. There were no major issues identified in the survey and the current owners have added electronics and re-done the teak on the deck in the past year. It would be a great boat for a couple or a small family - but for me as a singlehander, it's too much to maintain. Thanks for all you replies!  

Your post prompted me to look at the listing in Yachtworld. This boat is nutz! 1979/Oyster-39-Ketch-2045502/Simpson-Bay/St.-Maarten-St.-Martin  

Hi, my first yacht at 36 yrs old and its one of these. I sailed it single handed yesterday for the first time. It was a piece of cake. Presently the auto pilot isnt working and it was still managable. Im not the only one that thinks so either...there are a coulpe of uk threads here... Someone else states how easy they are to handle single handed on the ybw dot com forum, if you search for Oyster 39, or PM me I can send you the links - I cant post here yet as my post count is too low. Regards Mark  

One more post, and I can post the links..  

in this thread: Oyster 39 - Yachting and Boating World Forums And then this is a thread I started, with some pics of my own: Oyster 39 owners, discussion and issues. - Yachting and Boating World Forums  

• ?            
• 176.1K members

Top Contributors this Month