NEWS ROUNDUP

INTRODUCTION FROM RICHARD NEWS ROUNDUP

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

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

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

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

With Oyster’s reputation for hosting unforgettable events, you will not be surprised to hear that as part of Oyster’s 50th anniversary celebrations, we will be holding three very special events exclusively for Oyster owners. These take place in Antigua (April), Mallorca (September) and the UK (November).

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

RICHARD HADIDA

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

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

• Employing over 600 highly skilled and experienced boatbuilders. • Redefining our yachts as new generation, true luxury, bluewater cruisers. • Launching three new models – 495, 565 and 595 – that are all selling well. • The new 495 has sold out to hull 20 – an impressive achievement given she was only formally launched in April 2022. • Seen record footfall on our yachts at boat shows. • Built an entirely new production facility at Hythe and invested heavily in modernising our Wroxham,

Oyster Composite Technologies and

Southampton facilities.

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

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

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

Fair winds.

RICHARD HADIDA CEO AND OWNER

OYSTER YACHTS

JOIN THE OYSTER 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

Can it really be half a century since Oyster started building the world’s

finest bluewater sailing yachts? We will be celebrating with very special events in Antigua, Mallorca and the UK throughout 2023 – exclusively for Oyster owners. We would love for you to join us – register your interest on the website.

PALMA REGATTA 2022 – ANTIGUA REGATTA 2023

If you were not there, you missed a thrilling three days of action-packed racing that saw 23 teams from 10 nations compete for the honours at Real Club Nàutico de Palma (RCNP) in September.

But the friendly rivalry was quickly forgotten at the parties and evening entertainment. Don’t miss the upcoming Antigua Regatta in April 2023.

SPRING & SUMMER BOAT SHOWS

We all look forward to the longer, warmer days of the summer sailing season.

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

Oyster 495 sets a new benchmark

Oyster 495 has exceeded expectations

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

A steady hand takes the helm of Oyster Charter

We are delighted to welcome Fiona McCarthy as Head of Charter – she brings a wealth of experience from

an international brokerage house. She knows Oyster yachts inside out as she previously worked for many years as Oyster sailing crew. So she is well-placed to handle all your questions and advise on the best charter for you and your family. See pages 88-89 for the latest charter listings or get in touch at fiona.mccarthy@oysteryachts.com.

AN EXCEPTIONAL YEAR FOR OYSTER BROKERAGE

2022 saw Oyster Brokerage yachts in high demand, maintaining strong residual value.

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

OYSTER WORLD RALLY 2026-27

The Oyster World Rally 2022-23 fleet will embark on the final leg of their

circumnavigation in early 2023. Have you been inspired to take on the voyage of a lifetime yourself? Entries are now open for the Oyster World Rally 2026-27. Places are limited so if you are considering this unique opportunity, register now!

PALMA REGATTA 2022

The Oyster Palma Regatta, affectionally known as the ‘Oyster family end of season party’, took place on 27-30 September 2022 and was once again hosted in fine style by the Real Club Nàutico de Palma.

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

CHRISTIAN CASAL

745/06 KALIA

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

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

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

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

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

The shifty first beat put crews’ skills to the test as the fleets headed inshore, but once round the top mark and under spinnaker, it was all about downwind tactics and staying in the wind pressure, before a dead downwind leg gave crews the perfect opportunity to hone their boat handling skills. Race 2 followed in quick succession, with impressive starts by all four classes eager to beat their last performance and get away first. A smaller triangular course kept crews busy once again with plenty of manoeuvres to keep them on their toes.

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

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

Following a finish off the harbour entrance, yachts headed back to RCNP to be greeted by a local swing band and well-earned cold refreshments. Crews shared stories of an exhilarating first day on the water, ahead of the daily prizegiving presented by Lewmar. The following two days were made up of two coastal pursuit races – from Palma to d’Andratx and back – taking in the stunning backdrop of Mallorca’s southwest coastline.

The idea of a pursuit race means that because each yacht starts at a different time according to its handicap, all yachts should (in theory) finish at the same time. There is also the advantage of everyone knowing their exact position on the racecourse. With participants keen to be on the start line at their exact given time, there was plenty of excitement in the Bay of Palma on Yanmar Race Day 2, with a constant flow of yachts passing through the start line. With almost an hour between the first and last starts, the chase was on!

Revelling in the sort of bluewater conditions they were designed for, the impressive fleet of Oysters powered their way west toward the crystal-clear waters of Illa del Sec, the narrow passage which brought the fleet closer together. Onwards and out of the bay past Cap de Cala Figuera, crews chose whether to head offshore or hug the coast, whilst some played it safe down the middle.

This year’s Oyster Regatta in Palma was a great event. Excellent racing, well-organised evening gatherings and just a lot of fun! Peregrine Falcon and the team had a marvellous time!

PETER BLACKMORE

625/08 PEREGRINE FALCON After a fun day on the water, the Oyster fleet pulled into the picturesque harbour of Port d’Andratx for the evening. A dock party awaited, with the annual regatta cocktail competition setting the tone for a great night, with an amazing array of cocktails presented for judging. Following the day's prizegiving presented by Yanmar, participants enjoyed a delicious authentic paella cooked on the dock, with a DJ providing the music as the sun set over the mountains.

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

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

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

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

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

OVERALL RESULTS

CLASS 1

1 Lush — Oyster 885 2 Bare Necessities — Oyster 82 3 Achenar — Oyster 885 4 Mathilda — Oyster 82 5 Dama De Noche — Oyster 82 6 Karibu — Oyster 885

CLASS 2

1 Blow — Oyster 655 2 Chione — Oyster 675 3 Daena — Oyster 655 4 Kalia — Oyster 745 5 Non Ferrous — Oyster 725

CLASS 3

1 Peregrine Falcon — Oyster 625 2 Papillon — Oyster 625 3 Nikitoo — Oyster 625 4 Mellivora — Oyster 625 5 Red Cat — Oyster 625

CLASS 4

1 Mastegot — Oyster 595 2 Tír na nÓg — Oyster 565 3 Ayesha II — Oyster 575 4 Tuga — Oyster 495 5 Ixion — Oyster 62 6 Ahlam — Oyster 575

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

ALAN PARKER

82-09 DAMA DE NOCHE

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

PAU SERRACANTA 595/06 MASTEGOT

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

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

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

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

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

The competition for the winner’s spot in Class 4 couldn’t have been closer. 595/06 Mastegot, one of the newest models at the regatta, performed fantastically at her inaugural event to claim victory in Class 4, beating 565/07 Tír na nÓg on countback who finished on equal points. Third in Class 4 was 575/16 Ayesha.

Eddie Jordan, a regular at the Oyster Palma Regatta and owner of 495/02 Tuga, said you can never get too much of this event: “The Oyster Palma Regatta is one of the dream weekends of the year. I always attend Oyster Regattas as they are just great fun, both on and off the water, and I love it.” Aside from attracting loyal owners, families and friends, the Oyster Palma Regatta proved once again that it’s the ideal occasion for new owners to make their debut and meet the Oyster family. It was also a great opportunity for owners to benefit from the support of the Oyster Technical Team and the event partners – Dolphin Sails, Yanmar, Lewmar and Hall Spars – who were available throughout the Regatta to offer expert hands-on help and advice.

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

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

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

W

E

A

R

E

U

L

Y

S

S

E

Diver The Ocean Race Limited Edition

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

HALF A WORLD AWAY

RÉUNION MAURITIUS COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS

DURBAN

SAILING WEST TO FRENCH POLYNESIA

Leaving the dramatic volcanic peaks and lush forestation of the Marquesas Islands, the fleet sailed west to the untouched atolls of the Tuamotus archipelago and the Disappointment Islands. This chain of 80 protected atolls offers unparalleled diving and snorkelling experiences. One of the first of the Tuamotus some yachts reached were the Disappointment Islands - a mostly uninhabited group of coral islands discovered by Magellan in 1520, named as there was no source of fresh water. For the record, they are not at all disappointing, but very beautiful! These are some of the remotest islands on the planet, with pure white sands, waving palm trees, inviting waters and super friendly people. It is almost impossible to get there as a tourist, so the rally fleet was incredibly humbled to experience them. Fakarava, the second biggest atoll, was the favourite. Judy Hill, of Oyster 725/01 Intrepid celebrated her 60th birthday there at the amazing Havaiki Lodge.

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

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

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

ENJOYING THE STUNNING SCENERY OF BORA BORA.

DIVING WITH THE GIANT MANTA RAYS.

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

KUPANG

DARWIN

CAIRNS HAMILTON ISLAND

MACKAY VANUATU

NEW CALEDONIA FIJI SOCIETY ISLANDS

TAHITI & THE SOCIETY ISLANDS

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

The next fleet rendezvous was Opunohu Bay, Moorea, 11 miles west of Papeete. There, they enjoyed a day of cultural activities including making flower leis, handicraft workshops, outrigger canoe races and traditional Polynesian sports including tug of war, coconut husking, fruit carrier races and stone lifting. All this was followed by an amazing fire dance show from the Moorea Swing Boys, fuelled by fantastic local food and beer. Three yachts from the Oyster fleet joined the Tahiti Pearl Regatta for three days of racing in turquoise waters, bordered by a barrier reef and deep blue ocean. It’s probably the only regatta in the world that serves fresh coconut at the finish line. Oyster 675/04 Seabird took the overall win in the cruising class, followed by Oyster 575/11 Nikaia in second. Oyster 625/03 Black Lion, came fourth.

BELOW LEFT:

A POLYNESIAN WELCOME FOR THE FLEET.

BELOW RIGHT:

THE RALLY FLEET ENJOYING THE STUNNING SCENERY OF MOOREA.

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

ON TO FIJI, VANUATU & NEW CALEDONIA

Next stop was Savu Savu on the island of Vanua Levu, where the fleet received a warm welcome from the Copra Shed Marina staff, Fiji Tourism and locals. After 2,000nm and 13 days at sea, Fiji was a sight for sore eyes. The rally yachts were some of the first to enter Fiji after lockdowns were lifted and so the locals gave their traditional Kava welcome ceremony with great gusto. Jacks of Fiji kitted the men out in sulus (similar to a kilt) and the women in sarongs. Kava root was presented to the town representatives and our owners thanked them as they were welcomed to the island. Each boat was given beautiful handprinted bags, flower garlands and a fruit basket. A variety of tours and diving trips, as well as savouring some local tradition, visiting geothermal springs and chocolate plantations kept everyone busy and entertained.

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

The diving experiences have been a highlight of this Oyster World Rally and Fiji was no exception. Famous for colourful soft corals and anemones, dramatic topography and crystal-clear waters, it is like diving in a saltwater aquarium with unlimited visibility.

Oyster 575/11 Nikaia visited a local school in Fiji and described their Oyster World Rally adventure to the children and teachers. They used inflatable globes to explain where they had sailed from, and in return the children sang them a beautiful song. Nikaia presented kava root to the chief and they were welcomed into his home. All in all, it was a once in a lifetime experience.

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

BELOW:

OYSTER 565/08 INFINITY EXPLORING MONURIKI ISLAND, FIJI.

LEFT PAGE, BOTTOM

THE FLEET IN LAU GROUP, VANUA BALAVU.

RIGHT PAGE, TOP:

THE ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL OF THE HAMILTON ISLAND YACHT CLUB.

RIGHT PAGE, BOTTOM:

THE STUNNING OYSTER 625/03 BLACK LION.

VANUATU & NEW CALEDONIA

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

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

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

THE HALFWAY POINT: AUSTRALIA – MACKAY & HAMILTON ISLAND

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

Following a drinks reception on the Bommie Deck of the yacht club, the Oyster Halfway party was held at Catseye Beach. The evening started with cocktails on the lawn, with a glorious sunset over the Whitsunday Islands, followed by dinner served by scuba divers, with a side order of dramatic music and fireworks.

Prizes were awarded to those nominees for the Spirit of the Rally, including: Louis Goor of Oyster 655/02 Irene IV for his brilliance on the fleet radio net; Ed Rumble, owner of Oyster 625/03 Black Lion and Joao Carrerio Skipper for a rescue at sea; James and Julia Thomas for sailing most of the first half of the rally doublehanded – a great achievement. The evening concluded with dancing to the Red Tie Band, who had flown in specially from Brisbane.

CAIRNS

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

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

NORTHERN AUSTRALIA & DARWIN

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

Favourite stopovers on this passage were Lizard Island, discovered by Captain Cook in 1770 and famous for its sea cucumber population. Flinders Island has an amazing selection of birds, including the Flame Robin. Thursday Island is famous for its pearl trade and as the military HQ for Australian and American forces during the Second World War.

Darwin is in the Northern Territory of Australia and it has its own stringent rules and regulations on biosecurity. Most of the fleet spent 12 hours disinfecting their internal water systems and pipes before being allowed into the marinas. Darwin is packed with quirky attractions, including cool street art, exciting local markets, funky cafes and some excellent restaurants. It is also the gateway to the Kakadu National Park and home to some amazing Aboriginal rock art at Ubirr Rock.

INDONESIA

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

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

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

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

BELOW:

EXPLORING THE GLITTERING TURQUOISE WATERS OF INDONESIA.

THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

THE CHANCE TO SHARE TALES AND EXPERIENCES WITH OTHER CREWS AT A GET TOGETHER IN INDONESIA. AN ENDLESS ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND FOR SNORKELERS IN INDONESIA.

OYSTER 725-/01 INTREPID IN AN IDYLLIC COVE IN INDONESIA. A RANGE OF FUN ACTIVITIES WERE ENJOYED BY THE FLEET IN LA RÉUNION.

STUNNING SCENERY AND SIGHTS DURING A HIKE IN INDONESIA.

COCOS (KEELING) ISLANDS

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

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

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

MAURITIUS/RÉUNION

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

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

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

BELOW:

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

DURBAN & CAPE TOWN

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

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

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

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

CHRISTMAS & SAILING INTO THE NEW YEAR

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

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

ABOVE:

OYSTER 565/08 INFINITY ENJOYING THE TRANQUIL WATERS OF MONURIKI ISLAND, FIJI.

UPCOMING EVENTS

2023

21 - 29 January – boot Düsseldorf 4 April - Oyster World Rally Finish, Antigua 5 - 8 April – Oyster Antigua Regatta 6 April - 50th Anniversary Owners Dinner, Antigua 18 - 22 April – London Luxury Afloat Show 27 - 30 April – Palma International Boat Show 16 - 18 June – Oyster Ibiza Rendezvous 12 - 17 September – Cannes Yachting Festival 14 - 17 September – Newport Boat Show 15 - 24 September – Southampton International Boat Show 4 - 8 September – Oyster Palma Regatta September – 50th Anniversary Owners Dinner, Mallorca 12 - 15 October – United States Sailboat Show at Annapolis 5 November – ARC+ Transatlantic Race start 19 November – ARC Transatlantic Race start November - 50th Anniversary Owners Dinner, UK

TOP GEAR

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

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

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

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

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

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

“This was a huge breakthrough which resulted in Sail Racing not only joining forces with Larry Ellison’s Oracle team, defending the America’s Cup in Bermuda in 2017, but also becoming the official clothing partner for the America’s Cup at the Bermuda finals.” When Russell Coutts and Larry Ellison launched the SailGP circuit in 2018, Sail Racing was the obvious choice for official clothing partner. Berne continues: “With such a good relationship built over so many years, and the fact SailGP was the perfect concept for our high-activity style brand, we started working with the organisation and the first teams on the circuit and it just grew from there.”

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

JOAKIM BERNE

A CHANGE OF PACE

It’s quite a leap from sail race clothing to bluewater cruising yachts but with the business well-established, there was now time to consider yachts. Berne remembers there was only one contender in the mind of

Sail Racing’s co-founder: the Bentley of the seas: Oyster.

Introduced to the Oyster brand by friends and sailing fanatics through the business, Oyster was not only deemed the safest vessel on the market but also one so well built and over engineered it would last a lifetime.

“He kept telling me that if you are looking for a bluewater cruiser there is only one name – and that’s Oyster,” laughs Berne. “And one day, I will buy one!.” The co-founder spent years reading sailing magazines and learning everything about Oyster. He often went to boat shows to look at them and eventually the time was right to invest.

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

THE SPACIOUS AND LUXURIOUS SALOON OFFERING THE PERFECT HOME-FROM-HOME.

OYSTER 595/07 AT OYSTER IPSWICH READY TO BE HANDED OVER FOR HER MAIDEN VOYAGE.

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

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

FROM BRIEF TO FINISHED BOAT

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

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

As far as the specification went, Berne believes every box was ticked, along with some extra custom upgrades. “We did a few things, which I have to say, have made the boat even more modern. The co-founder is very interested in design and architecture and got involved in the details, as he did with Sail Racing. “The boat, therefore, is very clean and functional and, in his design, the cockpit instruments are all integrated, so everything streams onto one big screen instead of having lots of small units.”

IMPRESSIVE CUSTOMER SERVICE

Berne was very complimentary about Oyster’s customer service. “Impressive” was the word he used. “The process from ordering to delivery was astonishing – super treatment all the way, with people helping you make the right decisions at every step. And when we saw the final product, we were immensely happy with how everything came together.

In fact, we were blown away by the level of support, the project management and the handover – It was a very high level of service.

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

BELOW RIGHT:

LEADING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY WOVEN INTO THE DESIGN OF OYSTER'S NEW GENERATION YACHTS.

AN UNFORGETTABLE BONDING EXPERIENCE ON THE BAY OF BISCAY VOYAGE.

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

JOAKIM BERNE

THE DAY OF RECKONING

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

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

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

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

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

JOAKIM BERNE

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

BAPTISM OF FIRE

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

BELOW LEFT:

AUTOMATED SYSTEMS AND LEADING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY MAKING LIGHT WORK FOR THE CREW.

BELOW RIGHT:

THE NIGHT WATCH - NAVIGATING CALMER WATERS BY MOONLIGHT.

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

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

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

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

“They’re spot on,” says Berne. “The owner is super, super happy with how the boat ended up and all the extra choices. For example, he chose to have an ‘L’ shaped couch in the stern cockpit area, something usually seen on larger Oysters. We used it a lot because in calmer winds we could all sit together and socialise. Another invaluable extra was the integrated fridge in the cockpit table. Being able to have a cool drink when you’re tired on watch and not having to go below is fantastic.

TACKLING CALMER WATERS

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

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

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

40KT HEADWINDS ON THE BAY OF BISCAY PASSAGE, PROVIDING A STERN TEST FOR THE CREW ON BOARD.

DEAD CALM PREVAILS FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN PASSAGE.

JUPITER TREATED TO A DOLPHIN ESCORT IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.

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

JOAKIM BERNE

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

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

A TRUE LIVEABOARD OYSTER

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

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

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

“We chose a hydro-powered tow generator so we don’t have to fire up the engine or generator. The small hydro-powered propeller under the hull produces the same amount of power as you are consuming, more or less. It’s a real game-changer.”

JOAKIM BERNE

TIPS FOR NEW OWNERS

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

ABOVE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT:

CALM WATERS OF THE STRAIT OF GIBRALTAR.

MAKING GOOD USE OF THE HYDRAULIC SWIM PLATFORM DURING CALM CONDITIONS.

FULL SPEED AHEAD EN ROUTE TO PALMA.

CRUISING AND SAIL RACING

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

The Ultimate Luxury Discover what makes Oyster Yachts the perfect home-from-home.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The ideal starting point

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

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

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

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

OYSTER 495: SALOON, ASH

OYSTER 675:

SALOON, WALNUT

OYSTER 595:

AFT CABIN, OAK

OYSTER 745:

SALOON, WALNUT

OYSTER 885:

SALOON, OAK

OYSTER 565: SALOON, OAK

OYSTER 745:

GALLEY, CHERRY

OYSTER 745:

AFT CABIN, SILVER GREY

OYSTER 595:

CHERRY INTERIOR SCHEME

A line in the sand

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

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

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

RICHARD HADIDA

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

So Richard and Fleur needed to agree on a set of principles and benchmarks – a line in the sand – that would help them achieve the desired result. They spent a lot of time discussing concepts and the kind of materials, textiles, leathers and finishes that could be combined to bring this high-quality, contemporary feel together in a stylish, modern and tasteful five-star solution.

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

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

As a result of their work together, Richard and Fleur have created a vision not only for the refit of Lush but also a benchmark to be applied across the entire Oyster fleet. Richard is enthusiastic about what they have achieved together. “I aimed to standardise the best level of fit-out and systems on every Oyster model. Fleur has brought her experience and sensibilities and applied them to our yachts and together we have exceeded what we set out to do.” Starting with Lush, Fleur and Richard aimed to create a practical yacht that is welcoming but also luxurious. Every detail – from styling, materials, wood finishes, lighting, fixtures and fittings, energy efficiency, technology and connectivity – was considered, developed and finessed.

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

Where engineering meets dreams

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

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

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

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

CHRIS LOCK

A new benchmark for the Oyster fleet

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

“I’ve been looking at ways to bring in the concepts and ideas we pioneered on Lush to elevate the quality, styling, finishes and materials across six different models,” she told us. “I’m also looking to bring in more sustainable materials too. I want to take people’s breath away when they step on board but at the same time make them feel like they’ve come home. “I take care of the aesthetics and facilitate bringing the client’s vision to life. I have introduced a range of different materials, such as woven leather on headboards, as well as bringing in a lot more texture and detail. “For example, in the past, the floors were often just flat walnut but now owners have a choice of woods and finishes. They can choose a walnut floor with an ash inlay or v-grooves, for example. Or they can upgrade to interiors in different woods – walnut, cherry or ash. We’re doing less teak these days as it is much less sustainable.

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

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

FLEUR LIVERSIDGE

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

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

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

True liveaboard bluewater yachts

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

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

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

RICHARD HADIDA

HOW TO CHOOSE CREW

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

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

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

HUGH JOHNSON

OYSTER 625/18 NIKITOO When Trevor and Judy Hill bought Oyster 725/01 Intrepid, they planned to employ a professional crew some of the time, but also cruise alone together at other points. Along the way, they have learned some lessons about what to look for – and what to avoid.

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

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

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

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

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

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