Oyster Yachts

Oyster is a pioneer in the sailing yacht industry. They’ve created the world’s most luxurious bluewater sailboats for more than 50 years. And they continue to redefine what’s possible to this day.

They’re headquartered in Southampton but have several locations throughout the United Kingdom and the United States. You’ll love cruising the Mediterranean or the Caribbean on an elegant deck saloon yacht.

Yacht Selection

This brand offers exclusive bluewater cruisers in six different models that include special shallow draft keel options. Their largest yachts span up to 90 feet in length.

The Oyster 495 is their smallest model and is designed for shorthanded sailing. She won the European Yacht of the Year award in 2023 and includes all the innovative features found on Oyster’s larger vessels.

Every Oyster yacht showcases the brand’s commitment to style and excellent design. Their largest model is a grand tourer with sumptuous living and entertaining spaces. It also has a taller mast and light carbon rigging to keep it agile on the water.

Brand History

Oyster began designing yachts in 1973. Founder Richard Matthews launched the UFO 34. She was designed Don Pye and manufactured by Landamores Boatbuilders in Norfolk. The first Oyster branded yacht was launched a few years later in 1978.

This yacht was called the Oyster 75 and it featured the very first deck saloon which is now a signature feature on all Oyster yachts. They continued to produce new performance cruisers over the years, with one of their most famous designs being the Oyster 80.

The early Oyster yachts were designed as racing cruisers. However they quickly transitioned into the bluewater cruising space. A naval architect named Rob Humphrey designed new G6 hulls and decks for the vessels in 1999. This made them sleeker and gave them a more modern appearance.

They launched the first Oyster World Rally in 2013 for adventurous Oyster yacht owners ready to circumnavigate the world. Subsequent rallies have taken place in 2017, 2022 and 2024. The fifth rally is scheduled for 2026.

Unique Selling Points

Oyster combines expert craftsmanship with innovative technology and that means that the brand is in a class all on its own. All boats are built by hand in the United Kingdom according to owner specs. Their design teams ensure each bluewater cruiser exceeds quality and performance standards.

They incorporate a custom composite technology into their builds to make them lightweight, fast, and efficient. They also use hand selected hardwoods on all of their decks. Their materials are sustainably sourced and crafted from the highest quality timber. This commitment to sustainability affects everything they do. They hope to build a yacht that’s entirely self sufficient by 2030.

I love how they combine time honored techniques with cutting edge tech to produce smart, sleek designs. Their team of more than 600 designers and builders continues to innovate and push limits. Cruising on an Oyster sailing yacht is an unforgettable experience and one to cherish.