Oyster Yachts

Oyster Yachts
Privately held
Industry Boat building
Predecessor Oyster Marine
Founded 1973
Founder Richard Matthews
Headquarters Southampton, United Kingdom
Key people
 Richard Hadida (CEO), Paul Adamson (CCO), Kim Stubbs (COO), Becky Bridgen (CFO)
Products Sailing Yachts
Services New yachts, yacht brokerage, yacht charter
Website www.oysteryachts.com

Oyster Yachts (formerly Oyster Marine) is a British brand of luxury cruising sailing yachts established in 1973. The company is based in Southampton, with offices and shipyards in the UK, Spain and the US.

Oyster Yachts is famed for developing the original Deck Saloon sailing yacht concept in 1980, now a proven design used across 35 Oyster models and more than 750 luxury sailing yachts.[1]] After going into administration in February 2018, the company was bought out by new owner Richard Hadida on the 20th March 2018[2] and has since been led by new management.

History

Founding

In 1973 Richard Matthews founded Oyster Marine and commissioned the 32 ft prototype sailing yacht Unidentified Flying Object, designed by British Naval Architects Holman and Pye[3]. She proved to be a success, with Unidentified Flying Object winning the Royal Yacht Squadron's de Mass Cup at Cowes in 1974 alongside many other races[4]. The design was developed into the UFO 34[4][5], and this became the first yacht to be produced by Oyster Marine.

UFO 34 the first yacht produced by Oyster Marine

Design

In 1978 Oyster Marine introduced a 46 ft cruiser-racer designed by Kim Holman & Donald Pye, pioneering the Deck Saloon feature that has since become the company's trademark.[6] Oyster continued to increase the size of its vessels, launching a 53 ft design by Rob Humphreys in 1997 followed by a 62 ft Robert Humphreys' design in 2002.[7] Today, Oyster Yachts builds sailboats ranging from 56 ft to 125 ft, all designed by Robert Humphreys and the Oyster Design Team.

Acquisition and Liquidation

In 2008 the company was acquired by Balmoral Capital in 2008,[8] changing hands to HTP Investments in 2012.[9]

On 5th February 2018, Oyster Marine, the boat-building arm of the Oyster group (which also includes Oyster Brokerage and Oyster Charter) went into liquidation after a combination of low margins and poor cost control forced the company to cease operations.[10] The failure of the business was a surprise to many due to Oyster having its largest-ever order book in 2017, thought to be about £10m higher than the £70m reported for 2016.[10]

KPMG was appointed as administrator to Oyster Marine Holdings (the holding company for Oyster Yachts) on the 7th February 2018[11], and tried to find a new buyer for the business.

New Ownership

On 20th March 2018, gaming software entrepreneur Richard Hadida was announced as the new owner[2]. Hadida has embarked on a mission to get the business back on its feet and to re-employ as many of the 420 previous employees of Oyster Yachts as possible.[10]

Reinvestment and Growth

Under Hadida’s ownership the company re-started manufacturing in its Wroxham yard on the 15th May 2018, beginning to fulfil the contracts that Oyster held before it entered administration.[12] This included the re-hiring 50 of Oyster’s former shipwrights.[12]

Oyster completed its first yacht under new ownership, an Oyster 575 named MARTA III, on the 12th July 2018.[13] This Wroxham reopening was shortly followed by its Southampton plant, which launched its first yacht since coming back into business on the 31st July 2018.[14]

The company also secured a deal with Lloyd’s Register on the 20th June 2018 where Lloyd’s will approve the design, materials and build quality of all hulls and decks on Oyster yachts.[15] From late 2018, a Lloyd’s Register surveyor will inspect all yachts in production once a week, meaning all newly built Oyster vessels will immediately carry an Lloyd’s Register Moulding certificate upon completion.[15]

As of July 2018, there were are 14 vessels being completed at Oyster’s sites in Southampton and Wroxham.[13] A new smaller and more affordable Oyster model - planned for release in 2019 - has also been hinted at by company CCO Paul Adamson.[16]

Operations

Oyster Yachts has operations in the UK, Spain and the US.[17]

British Manufacture

Oyster has always been a thoroughly British brand. Even during the company’s beginnings, when a lot of its boat building was subcontracted out, production was always awarded to other British yards.

Only a couple of models in the company’s history have ever been built outside the UK. These are the 2013 Oyster 54, produced in New Zealand by McDell Marine[18] and the 100 ft and 125 ft yachts designed by Ed Dubois built at RMK Marine in Turkey.[19][20] Today, the majority of Oyster yacht manufacture takes place in-house at its UK shipyards.

Awards and Recognition

The company has twice been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.[21] In 2012 the Oyster 625 was named the Luxury Cruiser of the Year at the boot Düsseldorf,[22] while the Oyster 100-01 was given the Judge's Commendation for yachts under 40 m at the World Superyacht Awards in Istanbul.[23]

In 2016, the Oyster 675 was voted Sailing Today’s Best Luxury Cruiser,[24] with the Oyster 565 the same award in 2017.[25] Then, in 2018, the Oyster 745 was named Cruising World’s Boat of the Year.[26]

Oyster Yachts was featured in the American documentary series Building the Brand in 2011,[27] which looked at the production processes behind iconic brands. Other companies featured include Gibson Guitars and Rolls Royce.

Oyster World Rally

The Oyster World Rally refers to the 2-3 year worldwide sailing expeditions that Oyster Yachts organises for its owners.[28] All owners of the company’s yachts are invited to sail the world together, following a route pre-planned and organised by Oyster and with support from the Oyster After Sales team.[29]

The rally was initially organised to celebrate 35 years of Oyster Yachts in 2013, but with the success of the first event the company decided to make the World Rally a regular feature in the Oyster social calendar. The first rally ran from 2013-14, with one currently underway from 2017-19 and one planned for 2021-23.[29]

Oyster is the only yachting brand currently running its own global circumnavigation.

Owner Events

Oyster puts on regular regattas, dinners and other events for their owners, owner’s friends and family, and crew.[30]

These events are run by the Oyster Yacht team[30] and generally this include two regattas per year - one in the Caribbean at Easter and one in the Mediterranean in September/October - as well as parties and dinners for owners during the London, Southampton and Annapolis boat shows and other sailing events.[30]

Models

Sailing Yachts

Current and previous Oyster yacht models[31] are listed below, with current models in bold:

Model Years Designer Built Notes
UFO 34 (yacht) 1974-19XX Holman and Pye +100 [32] Aft Cockpit Cruiser/Racer
Oyster 26 1978–1981 Holman and Pye 47 [33] Aft Cockpit Cruiser/Racer
SJ35 1983 and 1985 Stephen Jones 27 IOR ¾ Tonner
Oyster Mariner 35 1979-1982 Holman and Pye 20 Centre Cockpit Ketch
Oyster Heritage 37 1984-1989 Holman and Pye 32 Coachroof or Pilot House
Oyster 37 Holman and Pye IOR One Tonner
Oyster Lightwave 395 1988-1990 Carl Schumacher 31
Oyster 39 1978-1984 Holman and Pye 43 Centre Cockpit Ketch
Oyster 406 1986-1990 Holman and Pye 35 Deck Salon and Coachroof versions
Oyster SJ41 1980-1987 Stephen Jones 33 IOR One Tonner
Oyster 42 1996-2002 7 Aft Cockpit Deck Salon
SJ43
Oyster 435
Oyster 45 1996 - 2004 Holman and Pye 23
Oyster HP46 1981 and 1990 Holman and Pye 25 Ketch and Sloop Versions
Oyster 46 2005-2012 Rob Humphreys 29
Oyster 47 2000 and 2004 Holman and Pye 13 Modified Oyster 45
Oyster 475 2012-2018 Rob Humphreys 7
Oyster 48 Lightwave 1987-1991 Carl Schumacher 19
Oyster HP49 Pilot House 1991-1997 Holman & Pye 9
Oyster 49 2001 and 2007 Rob Humphreys 15
Oyster 53 1999-2008 Rob Humphreys 52 Later boats built in New Zealand by McDell[34]
Oyster 54 2008 and 2013 21
Oyster 545 2014-2016 Approx.8 Restyled 54
Oyster HP53/55 1986-19XX Holman & Pye 49 3 Ketches
Approx. 46 Sloops
Oyster 56 1998-2010 Rob Humphreys 75
Oyster 565 2019-Present Rob Humphreys In Build
Oyster 575 2011-2018 Rob Humphreys 46
Oyster 595 2019-Present Rob Humphreys Concept
Oyster 61 1995-2000 Holman and Pye 14
Oyster 62 Rob Humphreys 22
Oyster 625 Rob Humphreys 20
Oyster 655 2007 - 2010 Rob Humphreys 17
Oyster 665 2014 Rob Humphreys 1 A 655 Custom
Oyster 66 Rob Humphreys 13
Oyster 675 2017-Present Rob Humphreys 3
Oyster HP68
Oyster 70 1996-1999 4
Oyster 72 Rob Humphreys
Oyster 725 Rob Humphreys 3
Oyster 745 2018-Present Rob Humphreys 4
Oyster 80 2
Oyster 82 Rob Humphreys 18
Oyster 825 2002-2017 Rob Humphreys 7 Deck Saloon and Raised Saloon
Oyster 885 2o12-2019 Rob Humphreys 10
Oyster 885 Series 2 2019-Present Referred to initially as the 895
Oyster 100 2010-2012[35] Ed Dubois 3[36] Built by RMK Marine in Turkey
Oyster 1225 2018-Present Rob Humphries 2 In Build Referred to initially as the 115 & 118
Oyster 125 2013 Ed Dubois 1 Flybridge boat built by RMK Marine in Turkey

(CC = Centre Cockpit; AC = Aft Cockpit; RS = Raised Saloon; DH = Deck House) (Current Oyster Models in bold)

Sail Training Boats

The majority of Oyster boats have been luxury cruisers, however Oyster has produced two sail training ships in its time. These are the Oyster 68 Ketch Rona II,[37] built for the Ocean Youth Project which sails out of Hamble and the 1999 Oyster 70 Alba Venture, produced for the Ocean Youth Trust Scotland.[38]

Motor Boats

Model Years Designer Built Notes
Powerline 390 1990-1991 John Bennett 11 Based on Humber 38 Hull
LD43 / OM43 20

References

  1. ↑ "Oyster Yachts". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  2. 1 2 "Oyster Yachts delighted to announce new ownership". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  3. ↑ "UFO34 cruiser-racer archive details - Yachtsnet Ltd. online UK yacht brokers - yacht brokerage and boat sales". www.yachtsnet.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  4. 1 2 "UFO". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  5. ↑ "UFO 34 sailboat specifications and details on sailboatdata.com". sailboatdata.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  6. ↑ "Oyster Yachts | David Walters Yachts". www.davidwaltersyachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  7. ↑ "Oyster 53 | Humphreys Yacht Design". www.humphreysdesign.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  8. ↑ "Boating Business | Oyster Marine sold to Balmoral Capital". www.boatingbusiness.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  9. ↑ "Ipswich: Luxury yacht builder Oyster Marine acquired by Dutch investors". East Anglian Daily Times. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  10. 1 2 3 Tovey, Alan (2018-03-19). "Oyster Yachts bailed out of administration by tech entrepreneur Richard Hadida". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  11. ↑ "Buyer confirmed for Oyster: recruitment underway for staff - Yachting Monthly". Yachting Monthly. 2018-03-20. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  12. 1 2 "Oyster sets sail as manufacturing starts in Wroxham". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  13. 1 2 "Oyster completes first yacht under new ownership | Oyster Yachts". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  14. ↑ "Oyster Welcomes BBC For Launch of New Yacht | Oyster Yachts". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  15. 1 2 "Oyster Story: Lloyd's Register Partnership Puts Yacht Safety First | Oyster Yachts". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  16. ↑ "August Update from CCO Paul Adamson | Oyster Yachts". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  17. ↑ "Oyster Contact | Oyster Yachts". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  18. ↑ BAILEY, ROBIN (2004-08-27). "McDell Marine going from strength to strength". NZ Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  19. ↑ "Our Luxury Sailing Yachts | Sailing Superyachts | Oyster Yachts". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  20. ↑ "Yacht Hull 100/03, an Oyster 100 Superyacht built by RMK Marine". www.charterworld.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  21. ↑ "Ipswich: Luxury yacht builder Oyster Marine acquired by Dutch investors". Ipswich Star. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  22. ↑ "Oyster 625 Yacht Blue Jeannie: winner of the 2012 'Best Luxury Cruiser'award — Yacht Charter & Superyacht News". www.charterworld.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  23. ↑ "Happy sailing with top sailing yachts - 2LUXURY2.COM". 2LUXURY2.COM. 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  24. ↑ "Sailing Today Awards 2016 - all winners revealed - Sailing Today". Sailing Today. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  25. ↑ "OYSTER SCOOP DOUBLE AWARD COURTESY OF SAILING TODAY". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  26. ↑ "OYSTER 745 WINS BOAT OF THE YEAR 2018". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  27. ↑ "Building the Brand : Programs : 3net : Discovery Press Web". 2015-08-24. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  28. ↑ "Oyster World Rally 2017-19". Oyster World Rally 2017-19. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  29. 1 2 "Oyster World Rally: August 2018 Update | Oyster Yachts". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  30. 1 2 3 "Oyster Events | Oyster Yachts". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  31. ↑ "Our Luxury Sailing Yachts | Sailing Superyachts | Oyster Yachts". www.oysteryachts.com. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  32. ↑ "Previous Models - UFO 34". Oyster Yachts. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  33. ↑ "Oyster 26 - Oyster Yachts". www.oysteryachts.com.
  34. ↑ http://www.jordanyachts.com/archives/2752
  35. ↑ "First Oyster 100 - Yachting World". 12 November 2009.
  36. ↑ "Yacht Hull 100/03, an Oyster 100 Superyacht built by RMK Marine". www.charterworld.com.
  37. ↑ "RONA II - Sail On Board". Sail On Board. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
  38. ↑ "Alba Venturer | Our Fleet - Ocean Youth Trust Scotland". Ocean Youth Trust Scotland. Retrieved 2018-08-24.
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