Oyster Yachts: Fifty years later

Barry and Sue Parkin, Olympians for Great Britain, passed on their elite DNA to sons Jack and Freddie who both have won youth world titles for the USA. But recent exploits for mom and dad, profiled in SAIL magazine, now involve their purchase of an Oyster 625.

With over 20 million sea miles and 100 circumnavigations of the world, Oyster Yachts is celebrating 50 years in 2023, a company known for its coveted range of award-winning bluewater sailing yachts handcrafted in the UK.

Oyster Yachts was started in 1973 by Sir Richard Matthews with his vision for the Oyster 34, a cruiser racer designed by Don Pye of Holman and Pye and built using local boatbuilders Landamores in Wroxham, Norfolk. By 1980, Matthews introduced the Oyster HP46. This yacht featured Oyster’s pioneering deck saloon, a signature feature on all Oyster Yachts.

Combining build quality and interior features that made Oyster Yachts synonymous with long-distance bluewater cruising, the range extended to include the Oyster 41, 43, 53, and 55. Then, working with yacht designer Stephen Jones, Matthews launched the Oyster SJ35, which went on the win several high-profile races.

The launch of the Oyster 435 came in 1984, and Oyster also set up its highly successful Oyster Brokerage to meet the demand of boat owners wanting to upgrade to new models.

In 1999, Oyster commissioned naval architect Rob Humphreys to design the Oyster 56. This winning relationship continues today, with the Oyster 56 becoming the most successful model, with over 75 hulls sold. Humphreys and his team, now headed by his son Tom, have since designed 17 models, including the Oyster 46, 54, 575, 655, and 72.

The largest Oyster in the current fleet, the Oyster 885, was launched in 2010 and along with the Oyster 625, was the first to feature Oyster’s signature seascape windows. Now making Oyster Yachts instantly recognizable, this supported the integration of several innovative and technologically advanced exterior and interior design features, furthering its suitability for long-distance blue water cruising.

Oyster’s expansion saw an increase in skilled British craftspeople and the introduction of manufacturing facilities at Hythe in 2021, the birthplace of Oyster’s new 495. Already established as one of the company’s most successful models, the Oyster 495 won the 2023 European Yacht of the Year award.

The company took the lead in organizing worldwide events for its owners, including the first Caribbean Regatta in Antigua in 2001 and the Palma Regatta in 2002. These events continue to this day.

As mentioned in the SAIL article, Oyster initiated the Oyster World Rally to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2013. This was a fully supported 18-month circumnavigation of the world, exclusively for Oyster yachts, which proved to be a massive success for existing and aspiring Oyster owners.

Subsequent rallies were run in 2017-18 and 2022-23, with the latest to conclude in Antigua this April which also marks the 100th Oyster to circumnavigate the world. Future Oyster World Rallies will take place in 2024-25 and 2026-27.

For the British luxury boat building company, 2018 proved to be a turbulent year. Despite a strong order book, Oyster Yachts went into liquidation though quickly rescued by gaming software entrepreneur Richard Hadida who “fell in love” with the yacht builder having sailed one of its vessels and was eager to save the brand.

“Oyster’s achievements in 50 years are too numerous to mention,” said Hadida. “But one thing is certain, our reputation is built as much on our quality of build as it is on special memories and life-changing experiences our owners have enjoyed over the last half-century.”