Oyster 53

Like the mighty Rolls Royce and Jaguar, Oyster yachts are a marque of distinction. Queen's Award yacht builders, Oysters range from 42-100ft in length and can be found flying the British flag and cruising in a most orderly manner into and out of ports all around the world.

Racy enough to compete - and indeed take out - the cruising division of regattas such as Antigua Race Week and Cowes Week, Oyster yachts offer a mix of slippery performance, time-proven seaworthiness, classical lines and accommodating interiors.

They are also known for ease of handling and comfort during long-haul cruising and long-distance events. The company has a well-patronised club for the many owners who have sailed their Oyster yachts around the world. Notably, the boats are built for the long haul.

Characterised by low-profile raised saloons with wraparound windows and lashings of honey-coloured teak decks, Oyster yachts have been optimised through the use of CAD in recent times.

This has led to ergonomically-designed cockpits with specially contoured seat and backrest angles, low-windage hulls, and innovative deck saloons that offer protection from the elements without compromising vision under sail.

The yacht's are renown for their 'royal' interiors. Bridging the gap between custom and production yachts, Oyster is now offering custom interiors on the larger yachts in its range. Possibilities include such things as fewer cabins and more space, an enclosed or open galley, ensuite bunk cabins, walk-in enginerooms, breakfast bars and more.

The 'standard options' list for all Oyster yachts, along with layout and rig choices, is configured to satisfy most sailors. Options include airconditioning, refrigeration, generators, power winches, furling systems, bow thrusters, watermakers and so on.

But the really exciting news is that a local agent has taken on Oyster yachts. The importer of German-made Bavaria yachts, North South Yachting, which has brought in 100 boats in just over two years, has ordered an Oyster 53 which should arrive in Australia early next year.

The 53 is just the second model to be produced by the new Oyster Design Team. Rob Humphreys, known for his Whitbread boats, designed the hull, while Holman and Pye took care of the interior. The cockpit was created with the assistance of the Department of Ergonomics at Loughborough University.

The design brief was to create a centre-cockpit, deck-saloon yacht with many of the features of the company's popular 56-footer. Humphreys claims the 53 proves that the term performance-cruiser is not a contradiction in terms. And the 53, he says, moves the game forward in terms of contemporary styling.

The boat comprises a big cockpit, spacious saloon and up to four separate cabins, or three cabins and a machinery room. Either way, the 53 has been well met, with seven orders placed before the first one rolled off the semi-production line.

Interestingly, the Oyster 53 is being made in New Zealand under contract to the strict standards set by the English factory. As with most Oyster hulls, the boat is constructed of hand-laid fibreglass with cored decks, fitted with a lead-bulb keel and skeg-hung rudder. The mast is a keel-stepped Selden.

An 88hp Yanmar diesel provides auxiliary power, while the masthead sloop carries 150sqm of sail, including a fully-battened main with lazyjacks, furling genoa and solid kicker and vang, and Harken and Lewmar deck gear including twin two-speed 64 primary winches.

Options include in-mast furling and, for cruising enthusiasts, cutter gear. The stability range of the 53 is 124°.

The yacht displaces 22,500kg and carries 800lt of fuel and 750lt of water.

A centre-cockpit design, the 53 comes in a range of interior layouts. The company routinely works in teak, American white oak and cherrywood for its joinery. Avonite is used for the counters and bathroom basin tops, Alcantara for the saloon upholstery, and there are designer curtains and nice touches such as a spring-batten system on the owner's berth.

Nothing is left wanting: the Oyster 53 comes with CD player, Raytheon nav-package and Garmin GPS, fenders, docklines, a 34kg CQR anchor, Wedgewood bone china dinner service with stainless cutlery, tumblers and wine goblets for eight, and more.

Ralph Hogg from North South Yachting is confident the Oyster 53 will be well received here in Australia. After all, he has sailed on the wonderful boats during past sojourns to Ipswich, England (one of the places where Oyster yachts are made).

It seems that anyone who is anyone in sailing holds Oyster yachts in high regard. Hogg says Oyster yachts have completed numerous circumnavigations and have also proven themselves in the hands of private owners. He also makes the point of the yachts' excellent resale value.

The Oyster 53, which is being made by McDell Marine in New Zealand (who also build superyachts and fancy motorboats), will sell for around $1.75 million (@UK37p).

For more information, contact North South Yachting, tel (02) 9979 3266.