Oyster, founded in the UK in the 1970s, is known for comfortable blue-water sailing yachts built for ocean passages.
1. Getting to Know Oyster
It is recognised by its centre-cockpit and deck-saloon layout, the long window line in the hull and a high level of equipment; boats that have sailed round the world appear often on the used market.
2. Ocean history and dense systems
An Oyster has often sailed thousands of miles. Well maintained, that is an advantage; on survey the rig, steering, keel attachment and the age of systems are read together with that history.
Hydraulic winches, generator, watermaker and extensive electrics are the source of the boat's comfort and are each run and checked.
3. Points We Pay Attention To
These are not claims of defects. They are the places we spend extra time on boats of this make; every boat is judged on its own use and maintenance history.
- Age of rig and standing rigging; terminals after long passages.
- Keel attachment and around the keel bolts.
- Steering system, bearings and linkage.
- Hydraulic winches and furling systems.
- Generator, watermaker and switchboard.
4. An Oyster sea trial
- Hoisting and furling; hydraulic and electric winches under load.
- Helm feel and autopilot on different points of sail.
- Under power: shaft line, stern gland and vibration.
- Generator and watermaker running under load.
5. What drives the used price
The main items that separate the price of two boats of the same model and year:
- Age of rig and sails.
- Age and maintenance of generator, watermaker and hydraulics.
- Teak deck thickness.
- Passage history and documented major maintenance.
The survey report sets out each of these with condition and a cost range, giving solid ground for negotiation. More: negotiating with a survey report.
6. Owning One in Turkey
The builder's records and owners' community can help trace a boat's history.
Ask for logbooks and invoices for major maintenance and rig replacement before buying.
Ask for the service records, invoices and any earlier survey report before the survey; work without records is noted as "could not be verified".
Frequently Asked Questions
Scope: The survey is non-destructive and nothing is dismantled; details on the survey types page.
Related Pages
Send the model, year and where the boat lies; we reply with an itemised written quote.
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