NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF OYSTER - Oyster Yachts

NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF OYSTER ISSUE N 71 WINTER 2010 

O 

IN THIS ISSUE – OYSTER JUBILEE REGATTA SARDINIA, 2010 ARC START 

AND NEW OYSTER 885 UPDATE

CONTENTS 

03 WELCOME 

David Tydeman 

04 OYSTER LIFE 

News from the world of Oyster 

08 OYSTER JUBILEE REGATTA 

– SARDINIA 

Louay Habib 

22 OYSTER WORLD RALLY 

23 2010 ARC START 

Barry Pickthall 

27 ROW TO THE POLE 

Jock Wishart 

28 ANTIGUA TO RIO 

Paul May 

ISSUE N O 71 WINTER 2010 

08 28 37 46 

FRONT COVER PICTURE 

Axel Moorken’s new Oyster 575, 

Endless One. 

Photo: Kurt Arrigo 

EDITOR 

Liz Whitman 

34 THE NEW OYSTER 885 

David Tydeman 

37 OYSTER REGATTA – GRENADA 2011 

38 OWNER PROFILE 

– ALBERTO VIGNATELLI 

Cristina Fonzar 

44 SUPERYACHT UPDATE 

David Tydeman 

46 MISS TIPPY 

Brian and Sheila Norton 

54 GONE WITH THE WIND 

Stephen Hyde 

59 OYSTER AT THE BOAT SHOWS 

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS 

Barry Pickthall 

Louay Habib 

Cristina Fonzar 

PRODUCTION EDITOR 

Rebecca Twiss 

62 FAMILY DENT’S LEAP OF FAITH 

Martin Dent 

74 SAILING TO HAVE FUN 

Alan Brook 

85 RED SEA PARADISE 

Liz Cleere and Jamie Furlong 

92 TO BARTICA AND BACK 

Steve Powell 

98 DESTINATION ASIA 

Bart Kimman 

102 TURKISH DELIGHT 

Brian Long 

106 ON THEIR WAY… 

FROM THE EDITOR 

We publish Oyster News twice a year and we know from our 

readers that the articles they most enjoy reading about are the 

contributions from Oyster owners. If you have a story to tell or 

information about cruising in your Oyster please let us know. 

Photographs are always welcome with or without a story. 

email: liz.whitman@oystermarine.com 

or rebecca.twiss@oystermarine.com 

Oyster News is published by Oyster Marine Ltd. Oyster News is for promotional purposes only, privately circulated, and cannot form part of any contract 

or off er. Views, details and information herein are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher who will not be held responsible for the consequences of any 

error or omission. Pictures and illustrations are liable to show non standard equipment. 

54 62

WELCOME 

In these uncertain times, I’m delighted to report that Oyster remains a very solid company. Our order book is 

developing well; brokerage prices have been improving and your investment in your Oyster remains secure! 

Lead times are extending again with the next available Oyster 625, 

now hull #4, and the next 575, hull #15 – for delivery in Summer 2012. 

We will launch the fi rst new Oyster 625 in London at our Private View 

in St Katharine Docks next April. Th ere has been strong interest in the 

new Oyster 885 and it was an exciting week in mid-November when the 

deck mock-up arrived. Alongside all of this, plans are developing for the 

launch of the fi rst Oyster 100, which will take part in the 2011 Dubois Cup 

and Loro Piana Superyacht Regattas next June. 

We remain committed to providing an excellent service to all Oyster 

owners in the form of technical help and spares, as well as running events 

for owners and their families to enjoy. Our Jubilee Regatta, hosted by 

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo in September, brought together 

30 Oysters from across the decades, across the fl eet and across continents, 

with the Italian-owned, 30-year old Oyster 37, Andrea, on the start line 

alongside the newly launched, UK-owned and custom-built Oyster 82, 

Starry Night of the Caribbean, which features many of the latest 

developments and innovations in design and build. 

We support the start of the ARC each year with a team of technical staff 

to help owners prepare for their crossing and this year’s Owners’ party on 

Th ursday 18th November had a special signifi cance to it. Alan Brook, aft er 

decades of service to Oyster and having retired earlier in the year, fulfi ls 

a lifelong dream as he and his wife Sue sail their new Oyster 56, Sulana, 

across the Atlantic alongside the 18-strong Oyster fl eet taking part in this 

year’s event. It was a treat to raise a glass with them. 

Th e 2013-14 Oyster World Rally, conceived as a celebration of Oyster’s 

40th anniversary, and announced in the last issue of Oyster News, has 

been very signifi cant. We now have more than 25 Oysters confi rmed and 

over 60 more serious expressions of interest, including some non-Oyster 

owners who are now in discussions with either the new sales team or our 

brokers! With a 30-yacht maximum fl eet and over two years to go to the 

start in January 2013, this is a fantastic achievement for what will be a really 

unique event. 

We are mindful that, exciting though this major event is, not everyone 

will either want or be able to take part. We are now working up a 

three-year plan to fl ow from our Grenada Regatta in April 2011, through 

Palma in September 2011 to the BVI in April 2012, our Olympic Regatta at 

the Royal Yacht Squadron in July 2012, to the start of the World Rally and 

to ensure we can run some events in parallel with it. 

As usual in Oyster News, it is the cruising stories from our owners that 

capture the imagination and this issue really does feature some amazing 

and unusual cruising locations. My thanks to every one of you for sharing 

your adventures with us at Oyster and readers of Oyster News. 

Here at Oyster, there is as always much to achieve, and I express my 

thanks to all the Oyster Group staff for getting out of bed each morning 

with so much enthusiasm for what they do! 

I wish you all a Happy Christmas and New Year and look forward to seeing 

some of you at our London Owners’ Dinner and the January Boat Shows. 

Sincere regards to you all, 

David Tydeman 

CEO, Oyster Group 

WINTER 2010 3

4 

OYSTER NEWS 

Oyster life HEADLINES 

a seafaring adventure 

David Holliday 

BOOK LAUNCH 

FOR OWNER 

DAVID HOLLIDAY OBE 

Oyster owner, David Holliday, 

who with his family has owned 

three Oyster yachts since 

1992 and currently owns the 

Oyster 72, Kealoha 8, has just 

had a book published about 

his voyage round the world 

with the 2008 World ARC. 

Th e book, ‘Kealoha 8 – 

A Seafaring Adventure’, 

is available online from the 

publishers Arima Publishing: 

www.arimapublishing.co.uk 

EDDIE JORDAN JOINS 

THE OYSTER FLEET WITH A 655 

PURCHASED BY HIS FAMILY TRUST 

As a Formula 1 fan, David Tydeman has enjoyed 

putting the deal together with Eddie Jordan who is 

certainly an entertaining character. Eddie and David 

fi rst met at the Turkish Grand Prix earlier this year 

and Eddie was given a quick tour around our 

Superyacht build project, which is only 15 kms from 

the race circuit. His interest in Oyster developed 

from there and discussions took place on various 

types and sizes of Oyster yachts, hoping that we 

OYSTER 56 MOST POPULAR YACHT IN THE ARC 

As the fl eet of 18 Oyster yachts began their fi nal 

preparations in Las Palmas ahead of the start of 

the ARC and their 2700-mile transatlantic passage 

to St Lucia, we had offi cial confi rmation that the 

Oyster 56 is the most popular yacht to have been 

sailed in the ARC. 

Oysters from across the range have been amongst 

the most prolifi c participants in this popular, 

annual event with over 250 Oysters having taken 

part since the fi rst ARC 25 years ago. But it’s the 

Oyster 56 that easily wins the accolade of being 

the most prolifi c model of any marque for at least 

the last ten years (in fact since the organisers 

FROM 

THE WORLD OF OYSTER 

could shape a deal in time for him to join us at the 

Sardinia Regatta. Eddie joined David for a day’s 

racing in Cowes Week followed by a visit to the 

Oyster 655 at the Southampton Boat Show – both 

providing good ‘pontoon gossip’. Eddie has been a 

long-standing customer of Sunseeker and still owns 

a 37m Sunseeker – quite a ‘support-boat’ for his 

Elan 450, which started his sailing interest two 

years ago. Th e Elan was designed by Oyster’s lead 

designer, Rob Humphreys, and his loyalty to Rob 

has certainly infl uenced his choice of moving to 

Oyster. We look forward to seeing Eddie at our 

London Owners’ Dinner and Grenada Regatta. 

started keeping records) with 44 Oyster 56s having 

made their Atlantic crossing with the ARC fl eet. 

For owner Richard Smith, who made his fi rst ARC 

crossing in his Oyster 56 Hawk Wing in 2005, this 

year’s event in his Oyster 655 Sotto Vento will be 

his fourth ARC, whilst for Alan and Sue Brook who 

own the new Oyster 56 Sulana, the 2010 ARC 

will be their fi rst transatlantic crossing. Th is year’s 

event also sees three of the new Oyster 575s, 

all launched earlier this year, making history in 

their fi rst ARC, with On Liberty, Endless One and 

Can Do Too leading the way for the new Oyster 

575 to perhaps take that top spot in years to 

come as the most popular yacht in the ARC fl eet.

BRIDGE PARTY ON BOARD HMS DAUNTLESS 

Two days aft er the Boxing Day Tsunami in 

2004 that caused such devastation throughout 

the Indian Ocean, long time friend of Oyster, 

Barry Cager, sailed into Coco de Mer and 

immediately set about trying to provide 

practical help to those in need. Many of those 

who survived had lost not only their homes but 

also their only means of earning a living, their 

fi shing boats. Barry contacted Oyster to ask 

for assistance in helping some of those 

aff ected and together with Owners at the 

London Boat Show we were delighted to raise 

enough money be able to have a new longtail 

fi shing boat built for the Jupasert family. 

OYSTER LIFE 

In September, the new Royal Navy Type 45 Destroyer, HMS Dauntless, sailed into Southampton 

to take part in the Southampton Boat Show. As Oyster is affi liated to the ship, we were lucky 

enough to have the opportunity to host a small private party for some of our customers, who 

enjoyed drinks on the bridge followed by a tour of the ship and supper – a really unique 

opportunity, which we were delighted to be able to take advantage of. 

DEGREE SUCCESS FOR THANAREE JUPRASERT 

A few months later, Barry contacted Oyster 

again to ask if we would support the fi sherman’s 

daughter, Th anaree, to make it possible for her 

to attend university in Bangkok. Oyster agreed 

to fund a four-year scholarship, which enabled 

Th anaree to undertake and complete her 

degree in Hotel and Tourism from the 

Dhurakijpundit University in Bangkok earlier 

this year. Her fi nal grade was an excellent 85%, 

a huge achievement considering that all her 

lectures were conducted in English. We are 

delighted to have played a very small part in 

helping Th anaree complete her education 

and wish her every success for the future. 

NEW ATLANTIC 

CROSSING GUIDE 

Anyone lucky enough to fi nd the new 

edition of the RCC Pilotage Foundation 

Atlantic Crossing Guide in their 

Christmas stocking may notice rather 

a lot of Oyster pictures throughout the 

book, in particular Mike and Devala 

Robinson’s Oyster 46, Sea Rover, which 

also features on the front cover, taken 

as she approached St Lucia. 

Jane Russell, the author of the new 

edition, is the wife of David Russell, who 

is Engineering Manager at Landamores. 

Just as Jane was starting the project, 

Mike and Devala Robinson were taking 

delivery of Sea Rover, their new 

Oyster 46. Hearing of their plans to 

cross the Atlantic, David encouraged 

Jane to contact them. Th e result is a 

wonderful selection of photographs and 

many observations and contributions to 

the text of the book. Th e new edition is 

packed with updated information, 

including references to many useful 

websites. Part I covers all the many 

aspects of preparing boat and crew for 

an Atlantic crossing. Th e range of routes 

and ports around the Atlantic circuit 

(Part II) has been extended to include 

advice about cruising the coasts of North 

and West Africa, taking the route to Brazil 

via the Cape Verdes, heading westwards 

across the Caribbean towards Panama 

and cruising the Atlantic Intracoastal 

Waterway (ICW) up the east coast of 

the USA. Chapter 18 discusses more 

northerly routes including the Viking 

Route via Iceland, Greenland and 

Newfoundland. Th e Atlantic Crossing 

Guide is available to buy online at 

www.acblack.com 

WINTER 2010 5

6 

OYSTER IN AMERICA 

NEW OYSTER 

REPRESENTATIVE IN RUSSIA 

Oscar Konyukhov joins the Oyster 

team as representative for the Oyster 

range of yachts from the Oyster 46 to 

the Oyster 885, in the Russian Federation. 

Oscar can be contacted at 

oscar.konyukhov@oystermarine.com 

Tel: +7 495 725 47 03 

Mobile: +7 910 477 09 70 


It was champagne all round in Oyster’s Newport offi ce following the sale of three 

new Oysters just aft er the Annapolis Sailboat Show in October – two Oyster 575’s, 

and a 625. What was one of the sunniest shows for years certainly helped to 

bring out the visitors who enjoyed looking over two beautiful Oysters, the Oyster 

56, Champlain and the Oyster 72, Magrathea. It was the US premiere for the 

Oyster 72 and renowned yachtsman and broadcaster Gary Jobson found time 

to take her sailing and will be reporting on the yacht in a future issue of Yachting 

magazine. During the show, Oyster CEO David Tydeman hosted the annual 

Annapolis Owners’ party, which was as usual very well attended. 

ROUND THE WORLD YACHTSMAN ARRIVES IN IPSWICH 

Widely recognised as one of the world’s 

most experienced and successful ‘round-theworld’ 

yachtsmen, Swedish sailing star, 

Magnus Olsson, arrived at Oyster’s HQ at 

Fox’s Marina in Ipswich during the summer 

to join owner, Lars Johansson on board his 

new Oyster 56, Enjoy Life, for the delivery 

passage back to their native Sweden. Magnus, 

who skippered Ericsson 3 to an honourable 

fourth place in the Volvo Ocean Race 

2008-2009, has competed in no less than six 

Whitbread/Volvo Ocean round the world yacht 

races. He will certainly have found life on board 

this new Oyster 56 a little more comfortable 

and we look forward to him joining us on board 

Enjoy Life at an Oyster Regatta in the future. 

CHRISTMAS IN THE CARIBBEAN 

ROYAL 

SOUTHERN 

OYSTER WEEK 

27 JUNE - 1 JULY 2011 

Following the success of 

this year’s event, the Royal 

Southern Yacht Club invites 

all Owners to join them for 

another informal and fun 

rally in 2011, which will again 

be supported by the Oyster 

team. Oyster 53 owner, 

Colin Hall, who masterminded 

this year’s event, looks forward 

to receiving entries. 

For more details or to enter, 

please contact Colin at: 

colin.hall43@btinternet.com 

or the Sailing Secretary at 

sailing@royal-southern.co.uk 

Oyster 62, Dorado owner, Terry King-Smith, has a tip for anyone heading for the Caribbean this 

Christmas on board their yacht – if you have youngsters on the boat there is no better place to be 

on Christmas Day than Mustique. Th e island holds a Christmas party at Basil’s Bar for families and 

those on board visiting yachts are invited to attend. Presents are handed out by Santa Claus much 

to the children’s delight. Th ere is a fantastic atmosphere in the harbour, and it’s a really great place 

to be at Christmas time. However you won’t fi nd any sprouts to go with your turkey!

NELSON’S PURSUIT RACE – ANTIGUA 

When one thinks of Caribbean Regattas, 

it’s Antigua Classics and Antigua Sailing Week 

that immediately spring to mind, but each 

New Year in Antigua, there is also the less 

well known, but well supported, Nelson’s 

Pursuit Race. 

Originally conceived as a fun event to add 

some sailing interest to the festive season by 

Stan Pearson of Antigua Rigging and Tommy 

Patterson, who still act as the Race Committee, 

the event commemorates Lord Nelson’s famous 

pursuit of the French fl eet, under the command 

of Admiral Pierre Villeneuve, across the Atlantic 

in 1805, culminating in the blockade of Cadiz, 

and the subsequent battle of Trafalgar, Nelson’s 

greatest victory, during which he was tragically 

shot and mortally wounded by a French sniper. 

Th e race takes place on New Year’s Eve, with 

a timed start below historic Fort Charlotte, 

sited above the Pillars of Hercules, at the 

entrance to English Harbour. Th e lowest 

rated yacht sails over the start line at 1100 

carrying the French fl ag, with the rest of the 

fl eet pursuing it, at timed intervals. Th e 

winner is the fi rst yacht over the fi nish line. 

Registration and start time allocation is held 

during a social evening at Antigua Yacht Club, 

in Falmouth Harbour, on the 29 th December 

at 1800, and everyone is welcome. 

Th e course is approx 18 miles long, comprising 

a reach out toward Guadeloupe, a run back 

inshore to Curtain Bluff , and a beat back to 

the fi nish line. Only working sails are 

OYSTER REGATTA PALMA 

OYSTER LIFE 

permitted, no spinnakers or other special light 

wind sails are allowed, so there can be no 

excuse for not having enough crew, and if 

entrants have not been measured, it’s no 

problem, an appropriate start time will be 

awarded. Th is is most of all a fun event. 

In previous years there have been as many 

as forty yachts taking part, ranging from 

singlehanded live-aboards, through elegant 

classics, to some of the latest performance 

superyachts with some famous names amongst 

them including Peter Harrison’s 115 foot ketch 

Sojana, and the 140 foot classic Rebecca, which 

holds the course record. Last year the brand 

new 100 foot Performance Yacht Liara went 

around in 89 minutes, and won, despite starting 

an hour and a half aft er Alexander Hamilton, 

an elderly wooden schooner built on the 

neighbouring island of Nevis, and the lead yacht 

carrying the French fl ag, which was passed by 

everyone else along the way. 

Th is very gentlemanly event really is champagne 

sailing at its best with Caribbean trade winds 

and crystal clear turquoise water. If you are 

anywhere near Antigua this New Year, please 

come and join us. 

Richard and Diane Watson who submitted this 

article have been cruising around the Caribbean 

on their Oyster 485, Sobriyah, for several years 

and have made Antigua their winter base. 

For more details about the Nelson’s Pursuit Race, 

contact Richard at sobriyah@gmail.com 

or Stan Pearson at stan@antiguarigging.com 

27 SEPTEMBER - 1 OCTOBER 2011 

Our 2011 Med Regatta sees the Oyster fl eet 

return to Palma, always a popular destination 

for our Regattas. As usual the Real Club Nautico 

will host the event. Entry is open now and 

an entry form can be downloaded from our 

website or please contact Jacqui Kotze 

jacqui.kotze@oystermarine.com 

OYSTER EVENTS 

2011 

London Boat Show 

7 - 16 January 

London Owners’ Dinner 

Royal Th ames Yacht Club 

8 January 

Oyster World Rally Forum – London 

9 January 

Boot Düsseldorf 

22 - 30 January 

Oyster Regatta – Grenada 

11 - 16 April 

Oyster Private View, London 

4 - 7 May 

Oyster Brokerage Spring Show 

13 - 15 May 

HISWA Amsterdam 

In-Water Boat Show 

30 August - 4 September 

Cannes International Boat 

and Yacht Show 

7 - 12 September 

Newport Boat Show 


Southampton International Boat Show 


Monaco Yacht Show 


Oyster Regatta – Palma 

27 September - 1 October 

Genoa Boat Show 

1 - 9 October 

Annapolis Sailboat Show 

6 - 10 October 

Annapolis Owners’ Party 

Date to be announced 

Hamburg Boat Show 

29 October - 6 November 

Hamburg Owners’ Dinner 

29 October 

ARC Owners’ Party 

17 November 

ARC Start 

20 November 

2012 

Oyster Regatta – BVI 

2 - 7 April 

Oyster Olympic Regatta – Cowes 

9 - 14 July 

2013 

Oyster World Rally 

January 2013 - April 2014 

WINTER 2010 7

8 


OYSTER 

JUBILEE 

REGATTA 

PORTO CERVO 

“FOR OUR 25TH JUBILEE REGATTA, WE THOUGHT WE SHOULD GO SOMEWHERE A BIT SPECIAL AND 

WERE DELIGHTED TO BE ABLE TO FACILITATE THIS IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE YACHT CLUB COSTA 

SMERALDA AND THE YACHT CLUB PORTO ROTONDO, BOTH OF WHICH ARE SUPERB CLUBS, IN 

FANTASTIC LOCATIONS, THAT HAVE A REPUTATION FOR HOSTING HIGH QUALITY EVENTS. OYSTER 

OWNERS LIKE TO GET TOGETHER, SHARE EXPERIENCES AND ENJOY SAILING AND I AM DELIGHTED 

TO SAY THAT THE FEEDBACK FROM THE OYSTER JUBILEE REGATTA HAS BEEN EXTREMELY POSITIVE.” 

DAVID TYDEMAN, CEO OYSTER GROUP

JUBILEE REGATTA – PORTO CERVO 

BY LOUAY HABIB 

WINTER 2010 9

10 

Th e world famous Yacht Club Costa 

Smeralda was a fi tting venue for the Oyster 

Jubilee Regatta. Th e Oyster family is truly 

international and at this event, 30 stunning 

examples from the Oyster fl eet, from a 

30-year-old Oyster 37 to a just-launched 

Oyster 82, fl ying the fl ags of eight diff erent 

countries, took centre stage in this glamorous 

location in Porto Cervo. 


In the late 1950s, the young Aga Khan, Prince Karim 

al-Hussayni, was sailing along the Costa Smeralda. 

He fell in love with the place and created what is now 

Porto Cervo. Famed Italian architect Michele Busiri Vici, 

considered the father of Mediterranean architecture, 

joined Luigi Vietti and Jacque Couelle, to create a luxury 

resort village for the world’s rich and famous. 

Th e Aga Khan’s vision was to create a perfect environment 

for yachts, and in 1967 founded the Yacht Club Costa 

Smeralda. Th e clubhouse was designed by Peter Marino 

and overlooks Porto Cervo Marina. It is considered one of 

the most prestigious and beautifully functional structures 

of its kind, anywhere in the world. Th e club is tastefully

complemented by fi ne materials and displays a vast 

collection of antiques and artifacts from all over the world. 

A panoramic poolside terrace was the grand setting 

for several fantastic parties during the Oyster Jubilee 

Regatta. Whilst the 24 sumptuous guest suites, each with 

a private terrace overlooking the harbour, were in high 

demand throughout the event. Adjoining the club, the 

Piazza Azzura was the perfect location for competitors 

to share a coff ee before racing and to mingle for a post 

race drink at the complimentary regatta bar. 

At the skippers’ briefi ng prior to the start of the event, 

Edoardo Recchi, Sports Director at the Yacht Club 


Left : Th e Oyster fl eet at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda 

Right top: At the helm of Scott Gibson’s Oyster 72, Stravaig 

Costa Smeralda, welcomed all of the competing yachts, 

whilst at the poolside cocktail party at YCCS later that 

evening, the Club’s General Secretary, Jan Pachner, 

invited owners and their guests to enjoy all the facilities 

that the prestigious yacht club has to off er. 

Aft er the cocktail party, a formal dinner was held on the 

breath-taking poolside terrace. From the elevated view, 

the Oyster fl eet was a magnifi cent spectacle; 30 stunning 

yachts gathered together for a memorable rendezvous. 

Fine wines and sumptuous food was complemented by 

excellent company; old acquaintances were renewed 

and new friendships made. 

WINTER 2010 11

12 

“We look aft er Stravaig as well as she 

looks aft er us, as sailing her allows us to 

enjoy the companionship and support of 

a great team of people and we are always 

looking forward to our next adventure.” 

Scott Gibson, Oyster 72, Stravaig 

OYSTER NEWS

LEWMAR RACE DAY 

Champagne start to racing 

With azure blue skies and a warm breeze, 

the Costa Smeralda provided sublime 

conditions for the fi rst day’s racing. A gentle 

northeasterly breeze built during the day, 

giving the majestic Oyster fl eet some 

spectacular sailing conditions. 

Th e fl eet started the fi rst race of the event on schedule, 

on a stunning 15-mile coastal course, using the granite 

islands of the La Maddalena archipelago as natural buoys. 

Peter Morris on the Oyster 72, Cookielicious, had a 

fantastic day on the water. It is a truly family aff air on 

board. Peter was accompanied by his sons, Dan and Ben 

and daughters-in-law, Tracey and Sade, whilst Peter’s wife 

was back at home, looking aft er their grandchildren. 

“We all enjoy these occasions immensely. Oyster 

Regattas are a great way to spend time together,” 

commented Peter. “We don’t just talk about business 

all day either, it is a great way to get the family together 

and simply enjoy each other’s company. Whilst I have 

been an Oyster owner for many years, my Oyster 49 

is back in Lymington. Th is is the sixth Oyster regatta 

that we have taken charge of Cookielicious. Th e 

arrangement allows us to just enjoy the occasion and 

relax. Skipper Michael and crew Charlotte provide an 

immaculate service and, like ourselves, know that the 

most important aspect of coming to an Oyster Regatta 

is to have a wonderful time on board a stunning yacht. 

We have had better results at previous events, but it 

has been a great experience to sail in such an amazing 

place, on a great yacht with my family.” 

Th e fi rst day’s racing at the Oyster Jubilee Regatta was 

a very special day for Alberto Vignatelli, who was 

beaming with delight as he crossed the fi nish line to take 

fi rst place in Class 1, on his birthday. Alberto was at the 

helm of his new Oyster 72, AlbertOne 3 for the entire 

race, a member of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda for 

over 20 years, Alberto has also recently become a father. 

“When my son was just eight weeks old, he came sailing 

on AlbertOne 3 . She is a beautiful yacht and also a very 

safe one, I am planning many more adventures for us 

together, including the Caribbean next year.” 

From Hamburg, Gerd and Annemarie Köhlmoos’ new 

Oyster 54, Sarabande, got off to a winning start. Putting 

in a polished performance and winning both line honours 


Far left : Scott Gibson’s Oyster 72, Stravig 

Above top: Alfresco drinks party at Hotel Romazzino 

Above bottom: Th e Oyster 72, Cookielicious 

in Class 2 and also fi rst in class on corrected time. Aft er 

racing, the Piazza Azzura was buzzing with excitement, 

250 owners and guests had enjoyed a tremendous day 

on the water. Over a few drinks, sailors discussed tactical 

decisions with a large slice of good humour. 

Th at evening, the festivities continued with a glittering 

cocktail party and dinner at the Hotel Romazzino. 

Nicknamed ‘the white one’, Busiri Vici’s fl owing design 

of whitewashed rounded walls and terraced arches 

give this stunning hotel its signature style. Considered 

one of the world’s most beautiful resorts, the décor is 

dominated by mosaic tiles of blue and green, to mirror 

the Mediterranean Sea, and subtle pink and coral 

coloured marble details imitate the rugged landscape. 

Cocktails were served on the terrace overlooking the 

sea and Mortorio Island, aff ording dramatic views of 

the Costa Smeralda’s rugged shore, as the moon cast 

a golden light over the waters. 

What can only be described as a sumptuous gourmet 

banquet was served at the beach-side restaurant, aft er 

which those with enough energy danced the night away. 

WINTER 2010 13

14 

DOLPHIN SAILS RACE DAY 

Fun and Frolics 

Th ree of the Oyster 56s decided to join in the fun, by 

taking a cooling dip in the ink-blue waters of the Costa 

Smeralda. Aft er raft ing the yachts together, over a dozen 

sailors from Temerity, Rock Oyster and Spirit of Spring, 

leapt from their yachts en masse. Th e fun and games 

alerted several inquisitive dolphins to the starting area. 

Quite apt, as the day’s race was sponsored by Dolphin Sails. 

It was several hours before racing could get underway, 

a coastal passage race to nearby Porto Rotondo. 

Th e Oyster 82, Pandemonium, owned by Stuart Smith 

and Barry J Cooper Jnr, was the fastest around the 

course in Class 1. But victory on corrected time went to 

Trevor Silver’s Oyster 655, Roulette v2. In Class 2, it was 

the Scottish duo of Bill Munro and Susan Harris that took 

line honours racing their Oyster 575, Boarding Pass III. 


A lack of wind caused a delay to racing on Day Two of the Oyster Jubilee Regatta, but the 

international fl eet showed their fun-loving nature during the postponement. None more so than 

Hailey Lawrence, the Australian crew member’s highly accomplished water-skiing demonstration 

behind the Oyster 82, Starry Night of the Caribbean, was a moment to savour. 

But with the Oyster 54, Sarabande, hot on their heels, 

just three seconds behind, the German yacht claimed 

their second victory on corrected time. 

Racing in Class 1 was Jonathan and Jane Mould’s 

Oyster 72, Koluka. One of the most popular models 

of Oyster at the Regatta, there were no less than six 

examples of this impressive yacht racing, but all very 

individual yachts. Koluka is a prime example of the 

distinctive features that can be aff orded to Oyster Owners. 

Below deck, the beautifully appointed interior off ers 

superyacht luxury but above deck the accent is on high 

performance. Koluka has a carbon-fi bre mast and ‘Park 

Avenue’ boom complemented by a deck layout, which is 

more in keeping with a racing yacht. Koluka has one of 

the sleekest deck and cockpit designs, which combines

with the performance hull to provide a powerful, sturdy 

yacht, which can cross oceans at speed and in comfort. 

“I had previously owned a racing yacht and that 

is primarily why I was attracted to the Oyster 72.” 

Explained Jonathan Mould. “Our fi rst big adventure was 

to cross the Atlantic. On board were both my daughters, 

who had just fi nished university, and it was a memorable 

experience for all of us. Jane joined us in the Caribbean 

and we spent some time cruising Koluka from Antigua 

and many other tropical islands, as far south as Grenada. 

Th is is the fi rst time we have brought the boat to Sardinia 

and I must say that coming into Porto Rotondo today 

was reminiscent of our time in the Caribbean, the 

stunning landscape is very similar to Falmouth Bay 

in Antigua.” 

Th e Yacht Club Porto Rotondo is undoubtedly one of 

the pearls of the Costa Smeralda, the club is situated 

in a magnifi cent natural bay, and is one of the bestknown 

places in Sardinia. Th e ‘New England’ style white 

and azure clubhouse, built entirely of larch wood, was 

designed by Venetian architect, Sergio Malgaretto. Th e 

club was established by the combined eff orts of brothers 

Nicolò and Luigi Donà dalle Rose, who literally created 

Porto Rotondo, and Luigi was there to welcome all of the 

Oyster Owners, as they arrived in Porto Rotondo. 


Left : Fun and games aboard the Oyster 56 Temerity 

Above top: Yacht Club Porto Rotondo’s Commodore, 

Luigi Carpaneda 

Above bottom: An overnight stop at Yacht Club Porto Rotondo 

Participants enjoyed the hospitality of the Yacht Club 

Porto Rotondo during an exclusive cocktail reception, 

which was attended by all the Club’s offi cials, including 

the Club’s Commodore, Luigi Carpaneda and Club 

President, Luigi Donà dalle Rose. Aft erwards, the Oyster 

family enjoyed a lavish dinner at the club. Th e grandeur 

of the local fayre was punctuated by intricate displays 

of fruit carving and butter sculptures, in the main square 

outside the yacht club. 

Kris Bewert, skipper of the Danish Oyster 62, Golden Gate 

and his Swedish crew, enjoyed the hedonistic atmosphere 

in Porto Rotondo. “Golden Gate was named aft er the 

famous bridge because it is a symbol of the aspirations 

of the owner. Th e Oyster 62 is like a bridge to adventure. 

We plan to sail the yacht over to the Caribbean and we 

are looking forward to some great times ahead.” 

During the dinner, Oyster CFO, Chris Hicks presented 

Commodore Carpaneda with a half model of an Oyster, 

as a token of thanks for their hospitality. Oyster Owners 

could not have wished for a warmer welcome on this fi rst 

visit to Porto Rotondo. Th ey appreciated the atmosphere 

Porto Rotondo off ers; familiar and culturally lively, 

combined with a simple and happy-go-lucky cheerfulness. 

WINTER 2010 15

16 

PELAGOS YACHTS RACE DAY 

Clash of the Titans 

Sailing on board an Oyster 82 is an awe-inspiring 

experience, especially in good breeze, and two of these 

outstanding yachts showed immense grace and power, 

as they dueled in their quest for race victory, in at times, 

very feisty conditions. 

Pandemonium owned by Stuart Smith and Barry J 

Cooper Jnr. had a three-hour close encounter with 

Starry Night of the Caribbean, skippered by Philip 

Scully. Th ere was a full-on match race between these 

two leviathans from the start, right to the fi nish. It was 

a powerful display with seldom more than a boat length 

between these two magnifi cent Oyster 82s. 

Starry Night of the Caribbean got away well, but a 

textbook gennaker hoist by Pandemonium gave them an 


Day Th ree of the Oyster Jubilee Regatta in Porto Cervo showed the sheer power of the Oyster 

range. Th e 30 yacht fl eet was fully tuned up, enjoying a top wind speed of 20 knots on a spectacular 

course, through wonderous bays and past stunning rocky out-crops, along the Costa Smeralda. It was 

an incredibly exciting day for all, but the highlight was the titanic battle between the two Oyster 82s 

at the front of the fl eet, Starry Night of the Caribbean and Pandemonium. 

early advantage. As the breeze built, these yachts were an 

impressive sight, locked in battle, heading for the rugged 

island of Monaci. On a tight reach, but beautifully balanced, 

Pandemonium and Starry Night of the Caribbean were 

inseparable. Huge gusts of wind were emanating from a 

squall off shore, but the two yachts were in full control, as 

they gybed in perfect choreography. 

Th e next mark was Seca di Tre Monti, a rock marking 

the entrance to the staggeringly beautiful Gulf of 

Arzechena. Th e two giants continued their duel, 

squeezing through the narrow gap between the 

mainland and Bisce Island. With time-aged granite 

rocks barely feet away, the two yachts were grappling 

for the lead. With some excellent boat handling, 

Starry Night of the Caribbean managed to break

the deadlock, taking a slender lead and the gun but 

Pandemonium beat their rivals 

on corrected time, to win the clash of the titans. 

Aft er racing, the crews of the two Oyster 82 yachts 

exchanged good wishes, gentlemen to the last. 

Pandemonium was the victor but they had both 

enjoyed an exhilarating day on the water, at the Oyster 

Jubilee Regatta. Aft er racing, Stuart Smith, co-owner of 

Pandemonium, was elated about the exciting day on the 

water, as he shook the hand of every crewmember aboard. 

“Th at was a lot of fun today, fantastic racing. Th e guys 

were really up for it and did a great job, we got a real 

taste of what Pandemonium is capable of.” 

Barry J Cooper Jnr. explains why the duo decided on an 

Oyster 82. “We wanted a yacht that we could sail all 

over the world and aft er a bad experience with another 

yacht builder, we decided to go with Oyster as they had 

a lot of experience and reputation in building the type 

of yacht we wanted. But also because they have excellent 

aft er sales service which is tremendously important.” 

In Class 1, line honours went to Richard Smith’s 

Oyster 655 Sotto Vento who had their own close duel with 

Trevor Silver’s Oyster 655 Roulette v2. Sotto Vento 

crossed the fi nish line just six seconds ahead of their 

rivals, winning the day’s race. 

In Class 2, Gerd and Annemarie Kohlmoos’ Oyster 54, 

Sarabande took line honours and their third win in a row on 

corrected time, to post a perfect scoreline over three races. 

Following the daily aft er-race refreshment on the 

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda’s Piazza Azzurra, owners and 

guests attended a Cocktail Party on the Club’s pool terrace, 

which enjoys stunning views over Porto Cervo Marina. 

With no formal dinner that evening, many of the crews 

elected to have dinner on board for the penultimate 

night of the regatta, including Oyster 82, 

Pandemonium. Many of the sailors on board come 

from Louisiana, including owners, Stuart Smith and Barry 

J Cooper Jnr. On the menu was Stuart Smith’s Cajun 

Gumbo, a spicy thick soup of meat and shellfi sh, which 

he proudly announced to be his mother’s secret recipe. 

With Johnny Cash playing on the deck speakers and a 

few cold beers, the crew of Pandemonium had a great 

evening, but they were not alone. Th e crew of Oyster 

655, Sotto Vento celebrated their line honours victory 

with a rousing rendition of the hymn, and latter-day 

England Rugby anthem, Jerusalem. Perhaps it was 

Sotto Vento that evoked the wind Gods for the 

following day? 


“Th at was a lot of fun today, fantastic racing. Th e guys were 

really up for it and did a great job, we got a real taste of 

what Pandemonium is capable of.” 

Stuart Smith, Oyster 82, Pandemonium 

Left : Close racing for the Oyster fl eet 

Above top: Stuart Smith and Barry Cooper Jnr’s Oyster 82, Pandemonium 

Above bottom: Th e Oyster fl eet locked in close battle 

WINTER 2010 17

18 

PANTAENIUS RACE DAY 

Th e Mistral’s arrival 

By dawn, it became obvious that there would 

be no further racing for the last day of the 

Oyster Jubilee Regatta. Th e Oyster fl eet 

remained dockside at the Yacht Club Costa 

Smeralda. Th e infamous Mistral wind had 

arrived, gusting up to 60 knots and howling 

along the rugged coastline. 

Prehistoric granite bedrock typifi es the Costa Smeralda 

and the Mistral wind has a lot to do with creating this 

spectacular and magical location. Outside the marina, 

Mother Nature whipped up a confused and foaming 

sea state with waves of up to six metres, recorded in the 

infamous Boniface Strait. 

With no racing, the overall results aft er the previous 

three days became fi nal and the winners of the Oyster 

Jubilee Regatta were announced at a prize-giving held 

at the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, which was presided 

over by Club Director, Enrico Molé, Sports Director, 

Edoardo Recchi and Oyster CEO David Tydeman. 

Trevor Silver’s Oyster 655 Roulette v2 was declared 

winner of Class 1 and Gerd and Annemarie Kohlmoos’ 

Oyster 54 Sarabande, the victor in Class 2. Prizes were 

also awarded to the winners of each day’s race and for 

the Concours d’Elegance. 

Trevor Silver, owner of Roulette v2 hails from London 

and was modest in victory and quick to praise his crew: 

“Obviously we are delighted to win here in Porto Cervo. 

We have had a bit of luck but I believe that the secret 

to our success was that the core of this crew has been 

together for some time and get on extremely well. 

Although we still have a few debates on board! I am 

absolutely delighted with the boat, Roulette has been fast 

since I got her two years ago and we have sailed her a lot, 

including the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and recently 

the beautiful sailing grounds around Croatia. I plumped 

for the Oyster 655 because it is one of the sportiest 

models in the Oyster range; a fast hull shape and carbon 

mast gives Roulette a great turn of speed.” 

Gerd and Annemarie Köhlmoos’ Oyster 54 Sarabande 

comes from Hamburg, as do all of the crew and aft er 

sailing their new yacht out from the Oyster yard at 

Ipswich they cruised extensively in the Baltic Sea before 

bringing her to the Mediterranean. Th eir win in Class 2 

was convincing, winning every race on corrected time 

in a fl eet of 15 Oysters. 


Th e Concours d’Elegance winners in Class 1 were 

Scott Gibson’s Oyster 72, Stravaig and Al Parrish 

and Paula Mott’s Oyster 655, Proteus. In Class 2, 

John Marshall’s Oyster 56, Rock Oyster and the 

new Oyster 575, On Liberty. 

Built in 2008, the Oyster 72, Stravaig can accommodate 

up to eight guests including two double cabins with 

en suite heads, there is a wealth of wood below decks, 

including the stunning main saloon and an aft cabin, 

which is truly magnifi cent. A carbon mast and boom with 

high-tech sailing systems have been well laid-out to off er 

performance but also simplicity in design and operation. 

Clean lines and exceptional attention to detail makes 

Stravaig a really head-turning yacht that is stylish but 

also very practical. 

Stravaig has also been fi tted out with entertainment in 

mind, a state-of-the-art media system is located in the 

main saloon and each double cabin, allowing guests 

to view their own fi lms from the main DVD system or 

listen to music from their iPod. Children, (or adults that 

are young at heart), can be fully entertained with the 

latest gaming station and an extensive range of water 

sport equipment for water skiing, wake boarding, diving, 

snorkeling, fi shing, and kayaking. 

“Stravaig is designed to be relaxing and enjoyable.” 

Commented Scott Gibson. “But that doesn’t mean that the 

boat is not used in the way that she was intended, we love 

sailing her. With Stravaig, we have crossed the Atlantic and 

raced and cruised extensively in the Caribbean and 

Europe. We look aft er Stravaig as well as she looks aft er 

us, as sailing her allows us to enjoy the companionship 

and support of a great team of people and we are 

always looking forward to our next adventure.” 

At the prize-giving, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda 

Commodore, Riccardo Bonadeo, was full of praise for 

the Oyster family. “Th is is the 11th regatta staged by 

the club this year, with boats ranging from Maxis and 

Superyachts to 8-metre one-designs, but I can safely 

say that this has been one of the most entertaining we 

have hosted. Th e relaxed, family-oriented atmosphere, 

combined with the beauty of the Oyster boats made for 

a wonderful week of sailing and socialising.” 


Above top left : Th e crew of the Oyster 72, Stravaig 

Above top right: Trevor Silver’s Oyster 655, Roulette v2 

Above bottom: Mariacristina Rapisardi, owner of Oyster 72, Billy Budd 

At the fi nal prize-giving, Italian owner, Mariacristina 

Rapisardi, was presented with a special achievement 

award by Oyster Group CEO, David Tydeman. For the 

past fi ve years, Mariacristina and her partner, Giovanni 

Cristofori have been on an epic adventure with their 

Oyster 72, Billy Budd. Th e yacht was specially designed 

for exploration. “ We have been all over the world and 

visited some marvellous places and met the most 

wonderful people. But it is the high latitudes that I will 

never forget. So remote and silent but with amazing 

wildlife and scenery, it is like visiting another planet. 

It is the most exhilarating place on earth which gives 

one the intense emotion of total freedom.” 

Following the fi nal prize-giving, owners, crews and the 

Oyster team closed the event in style at a Gala Dinner 

hosted by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda. Fantastic food 

and wine, great company and music from the band 

fl own in especially from Milan for the event, had owners 

and crews partying into the small hours. 

Owners of Oyster yachts travel the world, and conversation 

at the Gala Dinner centred on their adventures; past, 

present and future. Oyster Owners talk about their 

yachts as having their own persona, because they are 

just as individual as themselves. Th e yachts are, in 

essence, like them, part of the Oyster family, and built to 

fulfi l their own personal adventures. 

WINTER 2010 19

20 

CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE 

Presented by Oyster Brokerage 

CLASS 1 

Stravaig 72 Scott Gibson 

Proteus 655 Al Parrish & Paula Mott 

CLASS 2 

Rock Oyster 56 John Marshall 

On Liberty 575 Rovinj LLP 

RACE 1 – SPONSORED BY LEWMAR 

CLASS 1 

1st AlbertOne 3 72 Alberto Vignatelli 

2nd Roulette v2 655 Trevor Silver 

3rd Sotto Vento 655 Richard Smith 

4th Proteus 655 Al Parrish & Paula Mott 

CLASS 2 

1st Sarabande 54 Gerd & Annemarie Köhlmoos 

2nd Amanzi 56 Mark Howard 

3rd Boarding Pass III 575 Bill Munro & Susan Harris 

4th Temerity 56 Peter & Barbara Rogers 


OYSTER JUBILEE REGATTA 

PORTO CERVO 

RACE 2 – SPONSORED BY DOLPHIN SAILS 

CLASS 1 

1st Roulette v2 655 Trevor Silver 

2nd Luna of London 62 Roberta Martignon 

3rd Pandemonium 82 Stuart Smith & Barry Cooper Jnr. 

4th Anabasis 655 Heinrich Schulte 

CLASS 2 


2nd Boarding Pass III 575 Bill Munro & Susan Harris 

3rd Spirit of Spring 56 Stuart and Carolyn Popham 

4th Temerity 56 Peter & Barbara Rogers 

RACE 3 – SPONSORED BY PELAGOS YACHTS 

CLASS 1 

1st Sotto Vento 655 Richard Smith 

2nd Roulette v2 655 Trevor Silver 

3rd AlbertOne 3 72 Alberto Vignatelli 

4th Pandemonium 82 Stuart Smith & Barry Cooper Jnr. 

CLASS 2 


2nd Rock Oyster 56 John Marshall 

3rd 

Solway Mist 

of Kippford 

46 Allan & Shirley Cook 

4th Boarding Pass III 575 Bill Munro & Susan Harris

YCCS PRIZE 

AlbertOne 3 72 Alberto Vignatelli 

THE OYSTER REGATTA TROPHY 

CLASS 1 

1st Roulette v2 655 Trevor Silver 

2nd Sotto Vento 655 Richard Smith 

3rd AlbertOne 3 72 Alberto Vignatelli 

4th Pandemonium 82 Stuart Smith & Barry Cooper Jnr. 

CLASS 2 


2nd Boarding Pass III 575 Bill Munro & Susan Harris 

3rd Temerity 56 Peter & Barbara Rogers 

4th Spirit of Spring 56 Stuart & Carolyn Popham 


“I am absolutely delighted with the boat, Roulette 

has been fast since I got her two years ago and 

we have sailed her a lot, including the Caribbean, 

the Mediterranean and recently the beautiful 

sailing grounds around Croatia. I plumped for the 

Oyster 655 because it is one of the sportiest 

models in the Oyster range; a fast hull shape and 

carbon mast gives Roulette a great turn of speed.” 

Trevor Silver, Oyster 655, Roulette v2 

Photos: Tim Wright/photoaction.com 

and Mike Jones/waterlinemedia.com 

WINTER 2010 21

22 

Following the announcement in the last issue 

of Oyster News of an Oyster World Rally to 

celebrate Oyster’s 40th anniversary in 2013, 

we have received a really positive response from 

owners and non-owners alike. Some of those had 

already been planning to sail around the world, 

whilst others have seen this as a once-in-a-lifetime 

opportunity to complete a circumnavigation 

with the reassurance of being part of a large 

fl eet of Oysters, with the service and support 

from Oyster’s technical team that ensures. 

As we go to press with this issue, we have 

25 Oysters confi rmed to be on the start line in 


OYSTER WORLD RALLY 2013– 2014 

the Caribbean in January 2013 and a further 

50+ serious enquiries, a really fantastic result, 

given that we can only take a fl eet of 30 yachts 

and with just over two years to go to the start! 

We are now working up some specifi c plans to 

make this a really memorable and unique Oyster 

event. We will be running a series of seminars 

over the two-year build up and will help entrants 

with boat preparation and servicing in the latter 

part of 2012, just as we do with the Atlantic Rally 

for Cruisers (ARC) each year. Th e fi rst full 

briefi ng is planned to link to our Private View at 

St Katharine Docks in London in late April 2011. 

We are holding an informal forum for those 

who have entered and any other owners who 

are interested in this event at the London Boat 

Show on Sunday 9 January, following our 

Owners’ Dinner the evening before. Th e forum 

will run from 1,100 to 1,300 and it is hoped this 

will be an opportunity to meet owners who have 

already completed a circumnavigation, run 

through the routing options and planning 

requirements and talk to the team at Oyster 

about how we expect to manage the event. 

If you would like to attend, please contact 

Jacqui Kotze at jacqui.kotze@oystermarine.com

THE 25TH ARC 

THE 

25 th 

ARC 

18 OYSTERS JOIN THIS TRANSATLANTIC PARTY 

Th ere was both an air of celebration and excitement in Las Palmas in November 

when a record fl eet of 233 yachts set out from Gran Canaria at the start of the 

25th Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). Th is annual migration from European waters 

to the warmer climes of the Caribbean also attracted 18 Oysters. 

BY BARRY PICKTHALL 

WINTER 2010 23

24 

“All 18 Oyster owners were 

to be congratulated on their 

high standard of readiness. 

For this, thanks in part goes to Eddie 

Scougall and his Oyster Service 

Team who worked tirelessly to 

ensure that each yacht set out in 

fi ne fettle.” 


For some crews, including Richard Smith a veteran 

of the event, with four ARC’s to his credit, and 

his friends aboard his Oyster 655 Sotto Vento, 

this was another bite of the cherry, having 

enjoying the last event so much, when they 

fi nished 5th in class. 

A little more nervous was Alan Brook and his 

family who were using the ARC as a fi rst stage in 

an ambitious round the world cruise aboard their 

new Oyster 56 Sulana. Alan, who retired as MD 

of Oyster Marine earlier in the year aft er over 

30 years service with the company, has headed 

up the Oyster support team at this event for 

more years than he cares to remember, but this 

was to be his fi rst time taking part. “We’ve been 

here too long and we are really keen to get going” 

he said during the last week, having spent much of 

his time sewing leather patches on anything likely 

to chafe, including he said, his underwear! 

Statistics show he has picked the right boat. 

During the past ten years, some 44 Oyster 56s 

have taken part and head the list of the most 

popular cruising yachts in the ARC – fi ve more 

than the Beneteau 50, eight more than the First 

47.7 and 17 more than the Amel Super Maramu. 

In 2009, these popular 56ft Rob Humphrey 

designs took the fi rst four places in class and as 

David Tydeman said to Brook and Don Smyth, the 

owner of Shaya Moya, the other Oyster 56 in this 

25th event in his welcome speech at the Oyster 

cocktail party: “So there’s no pressure then!” 

All 18 Oyster owners were to be congratulated 

on their high standard of readiness. For this, 

thanks in part goes to Eddie Scougall and his 

Oyster Service Team who worked tirelessly to 

ensure that each yacht set out in fi ne fettle. 

“Th ey’ve been fantastic,” said John Noble, the 

American owner of the new Oyster 655 Neki, 

who was looking to this voyage as a break from 

trouble shooting man-made and natural disasters 

like the Haiti earthquake and BP off shore oil well 

leak in the Gulf of Mexico! 

If there were a Concours d’Elegance prize, then 

my vote would go to the crew of Axel Moorkens 

Oyster 575 Endless One. Not only were they 

ready to sail a full two days before the start, 

but the crew had fully protected all the yacht’s 

beautiful furnishings right down to laying lino 

across all the cabin soles. 

For John Noble and his family, this was the start 

to a great adventure. Having taken delivery of 

Neki – Hindu for nobility – the previous month, 

he and his family enjoyed a shake-down cruise 

fi rst to the Channel Islands and then to Cascais, 

before leaving the yacht to be delivered to 

Las Palmas for the ARC. Once across the 

Atlantic, he and his family intend to take a 

Christmas cruise around the Windward Islands 

before heading down to the Grenadines to take 

part in the Oyster Caribbean Regatta in April.

Alan Brook and his wife Sue have similar plans 

with their new Oyster 56 Sulana. “She’s packed 

to the gunwales with everything I can think of 

that we could need on a round the world 

cruise.” He said. Th e Brooks certainly weren’t 

going to go dry, for bottles of wine fi lled every 

spare nook and cranny. “When it came to 

packing up the house, I saw my wine cellar and 

decided ‘I’m not leaving all that for the house sitters 

to drink’ and brought it all with us.” Alan laughed. 

Brook can remember the fi rst ARC, 25 years ago 

when Oyster encouraged owners to embrace 

the event concept drawn up by former journalist 

Jimmy Cornell. Jimmy and his wife Gwenda, 

THE 25TH ARC 

now retired, were also in Las Palmas to join the 

25th anniversary celebrations and reminisce 

about the past. 

“25 years ago, Las Palmas was a dirty commercial 

port, very diff erent to what it is now. Th en, there 

were no shops and restaurants, or even a marina, 

and cleaners would sweep up the syringes each 

morning left there by drug addicts the night 

before. But we still attracted 204 entries including 

a large number of Oyster owners. 

Th en, the race went to Barbados because 

Rodney Bay in St Lucia was just a mosquitoridden 

undeveloped inlet. It took the Caribbean 

quite some time to appreciate the European 

marina concept with their shops, restaurants and 

hotels, but now the facilities in St Lucia are as 

good as anywhere.” 

During these 25 years, Jimmy has seen many 

changes, not least in the size and comfort levels 

of Oyster yachts, which remain the most popular 

class. “Th e boats are bigger, faster and better 

equipped, but the nature of the event has not 

changed because the challenge of crossing an 

ocean remains just the same. We simply provide 

the canvas for crews to paint their own 

adventure.” He says. 

WINTER 2010 25

“Th e boats are bigger, faster and better 

equipped, but the nature of the event 

has not changed because 

the challenge of crossing an ocean 

remains just the same.” 

Jimmy Cornell, ARC Founder 

26 

Photos: Ian Roman & Barry Pickthall 


25 years on, the event could not have been better 

organised. Aft er being entertained to typical Canaries 

fare and a fi rework display at the Real Club Nautico, 

even the early morning rain did not dampen spirits. 

A team of divers stood by on VHF Channel 11 ready to 

free anchors, and Eddie Scougall and his crew helped 

throw off the lines of their Oyster charges as a 

marching steel band serenaded the crews out of the 

harbour. Th e sun fi nally broke through moments 

before the start gun fi red and this enormous fl eet 

ran away under spinnakers. 

Th e unseasonable weather posed a few question 

marks. “Do we head north and endure steady head 

Sestina Michael 

Wilcznski 

Oyster 

Heritage 

Rainmaker John Salmon Oyster 395 

Lightwave 

Apparition James Blazeby Oyster 45 

NaughtyNes David Edwards Oyster 46 

Lady 

of Avalon 

Deborah 

& Guy Tolson 

Oyster 

46HP 

Siri Ros Elisabeth Rowntree Oyster 485 

Dragonfl y Andreas 

Zimmermann 

Oyster 53 

Surya Jac Janssen Oyster 54 

OYSTER ENTRANTS 

winds, overcast skies and occasional rain 

showers, or go south and hope the forecast of 

light, fi ckle downwind conditions turns out to be 

false?” Alan Brook was asking himself at the start. 

My own guess is that most will have plumped for 

the lesser of two evils. Whatever their decision 

the comradeship within the 18-strong Oyster 

fl eet was set to continue with crews keeping in 

daily contact with each other on the radio and 

internet during the 2,700 mile crossing to 

Rodney Bay. 

See www.worldcruising.com/arc for daily 

updates and fi nal results 

Sulana Alan & Sue Brook Oyster 56 

Shaya Moya Don Smyth Oyster 56 

On Liberty Rovinj LLP Oyster 575 

Endless One Axel Moorkens Oyster 575 

Can Do Too Mike Freeman Oyster 575 

Golden Gate Krister Bewwert Oyster 62 

Neki John Noble Oyster 655 

Sotto Vento Richard Smith Oyster 655 

Daena Maciej Slusarek Oyster 655 

Apollonia Anthony Auger Oyster 70

At the end of July 2011, Scots born 

adventurer, Jock Wishart, will lead a 

crew of six people in an attempt to 

become the fi rst to ‘Row to the Pole’, 

which is being sponsored by Old 

Pulteney, who are helping Jock in his 

attempt ‘to raise a glass of Malt’ at 

the North Pole and more seriously to 

highlight the already dramatic eff ect 

of climate change on the ice around 

the Polar Regions. 

Th is is an arduous and gruelling undertaking, 

which if successful will be one of the last truly 

global fi rsts and possibly the greatest ocean 

row ever. Th ere is a fi rm commitment from 

Terrestrial television to attempt to show this 

feat live (in itself quite a challenge). 

Jock Wishart has established an international 

reputation as a leading adventurer and 

sportsman. Within the space of 18 months alone, 

he rowed across the Atlantic in his Mount Gay 

Rum-sponsored rowing boat, led the crew which 

established 15 new world speed records for 

powered circumnavigation in the Cable and 

Wireless Adventurer and captained the team 

that broke the London-Paris rowing record in the 

CNA Maritime Challenge. He is the only man 

ever to have walked unsupported to a Pole and 

rowed across an ocean. 

ROWING AND THE OYSTER FAMILY 

Born in Dumfries, Scotland and educated at 

Dumfries Academy and Durham University, 

Jock is one of Britain’s leading ‘Corinthians’. 

He has represented his country at rowing and 

yachting and is a veteran of the 1980 America’s 

Cup, as well as being a former European Dragon 

Boat Racing Champion. A British University 

championship medal winner in rowing, sprint 

canoeing and weightlift ing, he was Project 

Leader of the team that broke the Round Britain 

powerboat record in 1989. His lifetime interest 

in polar exploration led to him honing his 

pioneering spirit as a member of the fi rst 

team to walk unsupported to the Geomagnetic 

North Pole in 1992. 

Jock is also passionate about Oyster yachts and the 

people who sail them and the rowing connection 

features in a big way. 

“It all came about some years ago when an old 

Durham University rowing friend, Robert Gillespie, 

owner of the Oyster 82 Sarita asked me to come 

racing with him in Palma and so a long and happy 

relationship with Oysters began. A couple of 

years later we competed in Oyster’s BVI Regatta 

with a crew of younger Durham Alumni who 

came out on condition they all contributed to 

the purchase of a fl eet of Firefl y dinghies for the 

university sailing club. 

Th is was an event, which Sarita subsequently 

won and a generous contribution followed for 

the purchase of the six dinghies, which have 

already enabled the Durham girls team to 

reach the fi nals in the last two British University 

Sailing Championships. 

Th e Rowing/Durham/Oyster connection goes 

even further with another former rowing 

partner from Durham, Tom Bentley, who 

owned the Oyster 53, Second Wind. Tom 

hosted a party of Durham Alumni for Oyster’s 

2005 Trafalgar Regatta in Cadiz, surely one of 

the greatest Oyster regattas we have all been 

privileged to attend. 

David Kidwell owner of the Oyster 435, 

Twice Eleven, is also another old rowing mate 

with his wife Tamsin being a former President of 

Durham University Women’s Boat Club. David 

and I have shared many rowing experiences and 

we were also founder members of the Kingston 

Royals Dragon Boat Racing Club competing 

successfully in many international regattas over 

the years. 

To illustrate that Oyster owners are always up for 

a challenge, Finn Jari Ovaskainen former owner of 

the Oyster 56, Ulrika, approached me at Oyster’s 

2009 Palma regatta and is now entering a Finnish 

team ‘Santa Claus’ to compete in the biennial Polar 

Race I organise in April 2011. For more information 

about that see: www.polar-race.com 

It all goes to prove what interesting and 

successful people Oyster owners are. 

Great people, great boats, great friends. 

Jock Wishart 

Follow Jock’s Row to the Pole Challenge at: 

www.rowtothepole.com 

WINTER 2010 27

28 


ANTIGUA 

TO RIO 

BY PAUL MAY, OYSTER 45 TABOO

OWNER REPORT – TABOO 

“WHY DO YOU WANT TO LEAVE THE 

CARIBBEAN?” WAS THE QUESTION MY 

WIFE AND DAUGHTERS ASKED WHEN I 

TENTATIVELY FLOATED MY PLAN TO SAIL 

OUR OYSTER 45, TABOO, TO BRAZIL. 

“SO WE CAN ALL GO TO THE RIO 

CARNIVAL” WAS MY REPLY. 

Aft er two transatlantic crossings and nearly eight years 

in the ‘windies’, we had enjoyed some great sailing and 

holidays. Th e list of our most memorable occasions is 

extensive, but highlights have to include: over 500 nights 

at anchor – oft en by beaches and bays inaccessible 

from the land; two green fl ashes and far too many rum 

punches; some rough weather including 59 knots in 

Tropical Storm Olga, which Taboo handled comfortably; 

taking part in all the Oyster Regattas in Antigua and 

the BVI, and coming 6th place overall in one of them; 

winning the Concours d’Elegance, and receiving a 

special ‘Spirit of the Regatta’ prize in 2009. 

Once we had made the decision to head to Rio, Taboo, 

together with my sailing friends Martin, Graham, Tim, 

Karen and Roger, left Antigua on Tuesday 5th January 2010 

as the sun was close to setting. We headed south on port 

tack, and remained on that tack for the next 950 miles. 

We passed south of St Lucia at dawn on the 7th January 

and watched the Pitons disappear astern – this was to be 

our last sight of the Caribbean and any land for two weeks. 

WINTER 2010 29

30 


Long, regal ocean swells of 2 to 3 metres became the 

norm, interspersed with a mixed bag of smaller waves 

from various easterly directions. 

Th e wind was predominantly 25 to 30 knots from north 

of east interspersed, on a regular basis, by squalls with 

gusts of 40 to 50 knots. Taboo performed comfortably, 

as usual, and kept up speeds of 7 to 11 knots. 

We treated ourselves to DVD fi lm nights in the cockpit on 

several dry evenings. Th e highlight for me was ‘Th e boat 

that rocked’! Most mornings we breakfasted on fresh baked 

bread, rolls or pancakes. Even in squalls and sailing closehauled 

through lively seas, the galley was in constant use. 

On most days throughout the journey, we sent entries 

and photos via our satellite phone and email to our 

blog, which was run by my daughter, Louise, up until 

we reached Recife when Louise joined the Taboo crew. 

Aft er that, my PA Marcella, kindly kept the blog up to 

date. Th e responses from our blog visitors were a great 

source of humour and support. 

Bill Lewis, a sailing friend and fellow Oyster owner, emailed 

us two or three grib weather fi les each day to assist our 

understanding of what Mother Nature had in store for us. 

As usual on a long passage, food became the major 

topic of conversation with an increasingly competitive 

cooking environment. Freshly caught fi sh gave us 

the opportunity to try new recipes including sushi. 

Th roughout the journey, we followed the tried and 

trusted ‘on passage’ alcohol policy of a beer at Happy 

Hour and one glass of wine with dinner. 

Our watch system worked well, with three watches of 

two crew doing three hours per watch overnight. Th is 

gave everyone the opportunity of a good long night’s 

sleep even during squalls. 

At night-time we oft en found it useful to sail with the storm 

jib, hoisted on the detachable inner forestay, and a partly 

reefed genoa. As a major squall approached, we could 

‘de-cutter’ by furling away the genoa (and taking a reef 

in on the main). Our speed and direction were kept sure 

and steady with this routine, and the off -watch more 

able to sleep undisturbed. On Saturday the 16th January, 

we had a signifi cant wind-shift , which caused us to come 

off of the port tack we had been on for 1,036 nautical 

miles! We also changed the ‘ship’s time’ to only three 

hours behind the UK. 

At 2am on Sunday 17th January we crossed the equator 

and at breakfast a modest toast was proff ered to Neptune. 

Despite a full professional inspection of the rig in Antigua, 

we lost our baby stay with a ‘ping’ and a temporary 

solution with a couple of blocks and a spare halyard 

was rigged swift ly and safely. Oyster Aft er Sales quickly 

and helpfully despatched a replacement via one of our 

crew fl ying from the UK to join us at Recife where it was 

promptly fi tted. 


Dolphins visited us on a regular basis, oft en in groups of 

up to 30 or more. One pod of insomniacs even frolicked 

around us in the dark. Oil rigs, supply vessels, fi shing 

boats and ‘stick and fl ag’ markers began to appear in 

our path as we closed the coast towards Fortaleza. On 

Wednesday 20th January, we again tacked on starboard 

aft er a mere 500 miles or so on port tack, we were now 

some 150 miles from our landfall in Brazil. Along the coast, 

electric storms became a feature of most nights, with 

sheet and fork lightning illuminating the sea all around us. 

On Th ursday 21st January, we docked stern-to at the 

Fortaleza ‘marina’ and endured a tedious fi ve hours of 

form fi lling at three diff erent offi cial offi ces. Once that 

task had been completed, believe it or not aft er leaving 

the Caribbean 3,000 miles to the North, we went to a 

night-time beach concert... of reggae music. Bob Marley’s 

original Wailers were playing and so we danced almost 

until dawn to the best Caribbean music in Brazil. 

Slightly hungover the next day, we re-fuelled Taboo, 

in temperatures of nearly 30ºC, via a bowser towed by 

a 1930’s Ford pickup truck to the nearest petrol station. 

We left Fortaleza for Recife knowing we were to encounter 

a stiff head wind and an adverse current of 1 to 2 knots. 

“We treated ourselves to DVD fi lm 

nights in the cockpit on several dry 

evenings. Th e highlight for me was 

‘Th e boat that rocked’!” 

Aft er three days of determined motor sailing, we arrived 

at Recife at night. We anchored away from the main 

quayside and waited until dawn before docking at the 

Cabanga Yacht Club marina, which is only accessible at 

or near to high tide. 

Having said goodbye to our crew, Roger, in Fortaleza, we 

now had to bid farewell to Martin and Graham. Fresh 

new crew had been waiting for us in Recife for a few 

days (my eldest daughter Louise, her friend Jamie, and 

old Taboo hands Mark and Geoff rey). We all set about 

prepping Taboo, helping with repairs and provisioning. 

On Friday 29th of January, we re-fuelled, direct from a 

fuel tanker (that usually replenishes petrol stations), and 

set off on high tide to Salvador, our next destination, 

some 260 miles South. 

WINTER 2010 31

32 


Happy Hour arrived as we emerged in the late 

aft ernoon sunshine from Recife harbour. And then, 

succulent steak sandwiches, salad and a glass of Merlot 

set us up for the night watch. A full moon with steady 

winds overnight of 18-22 knots capped off a fabulous 

fi rst day for the new crew. 

Dawn on the morning of Monday 1st February saw 

us entering the magnifi cent bay on which the city of 

Salvador sits on the northern shore. Th e bay could 

provide a full season’s sailing on its own, but we were on 

a tight deadline and limited our exploration to walking 

the streets, squares and churches of the city that had 

once been the capital of Brazil. 

“Aft er nearly 5,000 miles, Taboo had 

brought us safely to Rio, ready to explore 

the city and see the famous Rio Carnival, 

which was stunning.” 

While we were ashore, the national cocktail, the 

Caipirinha, was sampled most evenings. Made with a 

shot or two of Cachaça, lime wedges and some sugar 

over ice, the drink lived up to its name as ‘fi re water’! 

Interestingly, we learnt that during Brazil’s discovery, the 

explorers would use the Cachaça spirit as fuel for their 

lamps when their lamp oil ran out – strong stuff . 

We departed Salvador for Buzios, a popular cruise 

ship destination about 100 miles East of Rio de Janeiro. 

Anchored near the local yacht club, we watched the 

cruise ships ferrying their guests to and fro, sometimes 

in short, choppy seas. On one day four ships were at 

anchor to seaward of us. Th e town and its beaches, 

similar to a Greek island in geography and hospitality 

are delightful places to visit on a non-cruise ship day. 

On the 8th February, we continued to Rio where we 

arrived mid-morning the following day and were met 

by my wife Diane and our younger daughter Lizzy. Th e 

Yacht Club of Rio de Janeiro anchorage, between the 

statue of Christ and the Sugar Loaf, became our base. 

Aft er nearly 5,000 miles, Taboo had brought us safely 

to Rio, ready to explore the city and see the famous 

Rio Carnival, which was stunning. Over 25,000 dancers 

and infectious samba rhythms – a really great experience. 

Photos: Taboo Crew 


WINTER 2010 33

34 


THE NEW 

OYSTER 885 

DESIGNED BY ROB HUMPHREYS 

Th e deck mock-up for the fantastic new 

Oyster 885 arrived in November and it 

gave us the fi rst opportunity to touch and 

feel what this exciting yacht will be like. 

BY DAVID TYDEMAN 

We learnt a lot in the development of the Oyster 

Superyacht tooling with RMK Marine in Turkey – 

which is world class, and have made a decision 

to move away from the hand-built plugs we’ve 

previously used across the rest of the Oyster deck 

saloon range. Th e Oyster 885 mould plugs are 

being CNC-cut on 5-axis machines, and the deck 

mock-up in the photos is a 5-axis cut polystyrene 

simple version. Th is allows us to tweak the design 

and make some minor changes in full scale.

Th e clean lines of the deck saloon structure run 

stylishly into the cockpit surrounds and helm 

consoles. Placing the winches aft keeps the 

cockpit free of sheets and provides a great space 

for relaxing underway. 

We’ve kept the fore and aft deck areas as free 

from clutter as we can to maximize sunbathing 

and leisure space and she’ll certainly turn some 

heads once on the water. Th e VPPs emphasize 

the performance possibilities and she’ll be 

nearly 10% faster upwind than the Oyster 82 

INTERIOR FEATURES: 

• 

• 

• 

Th e master suite and two aft guest cabins can 

be fi tted with additional pullman berths and/or 

double berths much as the Oyster 82 does now. 

Th ere will be two choices of saloon layout 

with either a single or split-level confi guration. 

Th e space for the third guest cabin, just 

forward of the saloon, can be arranged 

as a snug or library/offi ce area. 

• 

• 

885 UPDATE 

in 15 knots of wind and will eat up the miles 

on those long passages. We’re excited about 

the benefi ts of the twin rudders, noting that the 

centreboard twin rudder version we’ve already 

completed on the Oyster 82, points higher and 

is quicker upwind than the standard 82. 

We’ve designed the interior around fi ve modules 

as below to facilitate some personalisation and 

the whole yacht and engineering is set out to a 

high specifi cation. Everything is being modelled 

in our Catia 3D soft ware so we can maximize 

Th e crew area can either have a crew mess 

or be reconfi gured to provide two heads or 

a larger galley. 

Even though our preferred recessed deck 

option provides nearly four cubic metres more 

stowage space than the Oyster 82, we’ll be 

able to off er a full transom door and fl ush aft 

deck option to create an even larger lazarette 

or ‘toy store’ if required. 

the use of every cubic inch below decks. 

At just over 300 cubic metres interior volume, 

the 885 will have nearly three times the space 

of an Oyster 575 and more than twice the 

volume of the Oyster 655! 

Th e fi rst hull moulding is expected at SYS 

for fi t-out starting in early Summer 2011 

and Oyster 885-01 will be on show at 

the Southampton Boat Show in 2012. 

WINTER 2010 35

36 

A HOLIDAY THAT DOESN'T MAKE 

YOU WANT TO READ A BOOK. 

IT MAKES YOU WANT TO 

WRITE ONE. 


How the story develops is entirely up to you. Th e thrill of sailing in the world’s most beautiful cruising 

grounds? Sharing the discovery of a deserted palm-fringed island with your family or friends? Or spending 

a lazy day at anchor, lost in your own thoughts? However you look at it, an Oyster Charter is truly inspiring. 

Whether you are an expert yachtsman or complete novice, your dedicated crew will ensure your holiday is 

an enjoyable and fulfi lling experience on board one of the most luxuriously appointed cruising yachts afl oat. 

Which is probably why people say the time spent on their Oyster Charter will go down as one of the most 

exciting chapters of their lives. 

Please call +1 401 846 7400, email molly.marston@oystermarine.com or visit us online. 

SAIL | BROKERAGE | CHARTER | REFIT 

www.oystercharter.com

OYSTER REGATTA – GRENADA 

OYSTER REGATTA – GRENADA 

11-16 APRIL 2011 

In a change to our usual Caribbean Regatta locations of Antigua and the British Virgin Islands, April 2011 will 

see the Oyster Regatta fl eet heading south for the celebrated ‘spice island’ of the Caribbean, hailed as one 

of the most scenic and friendly islands in the West Indies. 

Th is small nation actually consists of three 

islands: Grenada, Carriacou, and Petit 

Martinique. Grenada is by far the largest of 

the three islands, which are located in the 

Eastern Caribbean at the southern extremity 

of the Windward Islands, only 100 miles north 

of Venezuela. To the north lie St Vincent and the 

Grenadines; to the south Trinidad and Tobago. 

Grenada is a rolling, mountainous island, 

covered with fragrant spice trees and rare 

tropical fl owers. Bordered by stunning 

beaches, and dotted with picturesque towns, 

this verdant island has long been a major 

supplier of nutmeg, cloves, ginger, cinnamon, 

and cocoa. Th e seductive scent drift s through 

the colourful Saturday markets and Grenada's 

dense forests. In the interior of this volcanic 

island are cascading rivers, waterfalls and lush 

rain forests. Th e island is ringed with miles of 

sugar-fi ne white sand beaches and coral reefs, 

including the world famous Grand Anse Beach, 

which stretches for two miles on the edge of 

the capital, St. George's, widely held to be the 

loveliest city in the Caribbean. Its horseshoeshaped 

harbour is surrounded by a rainbow 

of dockside warehouses and the red-tiled roofs 

of traditional shops and homes. 

Th e Oyster Regatta will be hosted by the new 

Camper & Nicholson’s, Port Louis Marina, where 

owners can look forward to a very warm welcome. 

General Manager of Port Louis Marina 

Glynn Th omas commented “I am delighted 

the Oyster Regatta will be held in Port Louis. 

It will be a wonderful spectacle to see these 

beautiful yachts berthed in Port Louis Marina. 

I am also delighted with the support received 

from the Government and other areas of the 

yachting industry for the Oyster Regatta. 

Grenada is a fantastic venue for this event, 

and those taking part are sure to enjoy some 

great sailing on the water and some uniquely 

Grenadian hospitality ashore.” 

If you are going to be in the Caribbean next 

spring, we hope you will come and join us for 

some fun racing, great parties and beach 

barbecues. We hope to plan an event, that will 

showcase the best that Grenada has to off er 

including an opportunity to try your hand at 

some local Grenadian workboat sailing, trips 

into the rain forest and visits to the nutmeg and 

cocoa processing plants, not to mention the 

local rum distilleries! Entries are coming in fast 

so if you want to join in and haven’t entered yet, 

please do so as soon as possible so we can 

ensure we have a berth reserved for you. 

A provisional programme and entry form 

can be downloaded from our website. 

For more details or to enter the Grenada 

Regatta please contact Jacqui Kotze 

email: jacqui.kotze@oystermarine.com 

WINTER 2010 37

38 


alberto 

vignatelli 

THE NAUTICAL FASHIONISTA

OWNER PROFILE – ALBERTO VIGNATELLI 

A perfect yacht must essentially be 

perfectly fi tted to its owner – like 

clothes to the wearer. Even more so, 

when the owner happens to come 

from the world of fashion and design 

itself. Th is is the case with the new 

Oyster 72, AlbertOne3 , owned 

by Alberto Vignatelli, patron of 

Club House Italia, producer and 

distributor of well-known brand 

names such as Fendi Casa, 

Kenzo Maison and others. 

BY CRISTINA FONZAR 

WINTER 2010 39

40 

“As soon as I boarded an Oyster 

the very fi rst time, how she was 

built and equipped told me 

immediately that here was the 

boat for me and my family.” 


Alberto Vignatelli, Italian entrepreneur of great 

charisma and strong personality, has always had 

a love of beauty in all its forms – and a passion for 

the sea and sailing. Born into a family of furniture 

manufacturers, he founded the company in the 

early 1970s, and had a head start in acquiring 

and honing his skills and techniques in furniture 

making, upholstery and raw materials. His tireless 

energy and drive, vision, enthusiasm, and fl air 

for new ideas are all very much part of the man 

himself and his inimitable style. 

However, with so many talented competitors in 

a country renowned for quality and design, he 

needed to fi nd something to set him apart from 

his peers. His intuition led him to develop what 

have become distinctive collections of furniture 

bearing well-known fashion hallmarks. 

Th us with Fendi, the ensuing success not only 

made Club House Italia synonymous with 

impeccable standards, but resulted in invitations 

from many other important fashion houses. Th is 

led Vignatelli to bring a diverse range of brands 

all under one roof, where each collection could 

display its own personality through dedicated 

production processes, characteristic features, 

surfaces, style and staff , but avoiding at the same 

time any possible overlapping. To showcase all 

these brands in key worldwide locations, 

Vignatelli developed a retail arm, Luxury Living, 

which is becoming widely known as synonymous 

for quality, glamour and skilled craft smanship.

For Alberto, it was love at fi rst sight with Oyster: 

“As soon as I boarded an Oyster the very fi rst 

time, how she was built and equipped told me 

immediately that here was the boat for me and 

my family, ensuring us all the maximum guarantee 

of safety at sea. I knew the Italian shipbuilders 

were top of the class for beautiful outlines and for 

speed, but I opted for a more traditional vessel 

that perfectly matched my requirements.” 

Luxury Living Yacht Division (the contract 

division of Club House Italia) has worked in 

close collaboration with the Oyster yard to 

produce this Oyster 72. With decor entirely by 

Fendi Casa, it has seen an important partnership 

between two world leaders in their respective 

fi elds; a partnership other Oyster owners might 

well emulate when customizing their own craft . 


“Considering how my business philosophy 

and that of Oyster happily coincide, we 

have in fact produced a catalogue”, says 

Vignatelli. “It gives our complete range 

of high-class yacht decor for people 

looking for that touch of elegance, which 

distinguishes our production, without in any 

way compromising the features of safety and 

seaworthiness typical of an Oyster”. 

WINTER 2010 41

42 

“It is a fantastic boat – one of 

the few you could safely go 

all round the world in.” 


Vignatelli’s undisputed passion for yachting and 

the pure enjoyment of escaping to sea with his 

family and friends, has led to the creation of 

the Luxury Living Yacht Division, which, apart 

from Oyster, boasts other important partnerships 

resulting in fi ne superyachts such as a Princess 72, 

a Pershing 115, a CRN 28m and a Benetti 59m. 

Both above and below decks on AlbertOne 3 , 

Fendi Casa is the undisputed character wherever 

you look – showing how materials of the highest 

quality are handled with expert craft smanship 

and care. Shades of ivory, mother-of-pearl and 

beige enrich the yacht with refi ned detail. From 

the living quarters right through to the bedrooms 

and decks – all are stamped with Fendi Casa. 

Th e Fendi Outdoor collection, too, with its soft 

towelling and white and navy-blue water 

resistant cashmere, adorns the outside leisure 

areas to the same degree of luxurious comfort. 

Likewise, the distinctive chinaware bearing the 

Luxury Living hallmark, brings to the table that 

same ubiquitous sense of class. However, refi ned 

does not mean slow and heavy as AlbertOne 3 

showed at her debut, no less. At the fi rst Italian 

Oyster Regatta held in Porto Cervo in September, 

for example, she won the YCCS Trophy. Th ey all 

celebrated with such a fantastic party and 

Vignatelli felt particularly proud to have won on 

home ground in Porto Cervo at the club where 

he has been a member for many years. 

“To be at the helm is one of the greatest thrills 

for me. It takes me back to when I used to go 

horse riding. In fact, there is a strong similarity 

between what you feel when you mount a horse

and being at the tiller. When you feel the wave 

throbbing beneath you, you just have to follow 

on – as you do when you break into a gallop”. 

His many business engagements only allow two 

weeks’ holiday on board a year, but for Vignatelli 

sailing is vital. 

“I get my best ideas on board. At sea I can be at 

one with myself, with nature, with God. Th e sea 

helps us to understand where we have come 

from and where we are heading. At night when 

all is pitch black, with no other lights except the 

stars, it is then that I begin to ponder and 

understand many things – and that whoever 

created this marvellous world must be truly 

great. And out there, I somehow feel I can talk to 

Him. And don’t let’s forget that sailing has terrifi c 

value as a character-builder. When sailing you 

Fair wind AlbertOne 3 ! 


learn to measure yourself against one of the 

most implacable elements and, I assure you, the 

sea is not something to be trifl ed with. You have 

to be tenacious, decided, have character and 

passion. It is for this reason, I think, that 

yachtsmen are rarely ‘bad apples’, but, in my 

experience, honest, sincere and above all real.” 

Since the launch of their Oyster 72, Vignatelli 

and his wife Olga have already covered 2,500 

miles to bring AlbertOne 3 from the UK to Italy. 

“During the trip we had to face winds of over 

40 knots! It is a fantastic boat – one of the few 

you could safely go all round the world in. 

Th e idea is, who knows, in future to stay in the 

Mediterranean in summer and then winter in 

the Caribbean”. 

“To be at the helm is one of the 

greatest thrills for me. It takes 

me back to when I used to go 

horse riding. In fact, there is a 

strong similarity between what 

you feel when you mount a 

horse and being at the tiller.” 

WINTER 2010 43

44 

Just outside the fi t-out shed doors I could 

see the huge 45 metre-long wooden case in 

which the new carbon mast lay ready to fi t to 

this fi rst Oyster 100. Turning around 180 degrees, 

I watched the deck being fi tted to 100-02 in 

fi t-out line astern of 100-01 and just to the left , 

the fi rst Oyster 125 sits higher on her cradle 

almost dwarfi ng 100-02. 


OYSTER 

SUPERYACHT 

UPDATE 

Standing on the protective covers over the new teak planking on the aft deck 

of Oyster 100-01, I looked forward to watch the amazing hydraulically operated 

anchor launching system being tested way up front and tried to imagine being 

at the helm of this yacht next year. Th e size and technically advanced nature of 

these new yachts is awe-inspiring. 

BY DAVID TYDEMAN 

Oyster 100-01 will be sailing in the Dubois Cup 

and Loro Piana Regatta in Sardinia in June 2011 

and I am really looking forward to showing the 

sailing press and public just how good these new 

Oyster Superyachts are. Th ey will be a great credit 

to the Dubois and Oyster design teams and to the 

careful work by RMK. Nazenin V, the 52-metre 

Sparkman and Stephens yacht built for the founder 

of the RMK shipyard, Rahmi Koç, has received 

accolades around the world since she was 

shown at the Monaco Yacht Show in September. 

She demonstrates the quality we will produce 

from this joint venture between Oyster and 

RMK Marine.

Around the yard intensive eff ort is visible 

everywhere, and in the few weeks since my 

last visit, four 35-45 metre motor yachts have 

arrived at RMK for winter refi ts, together with a 

one-year-old Lagoon 62 catamaran having some 

upgrades to her electronics! In addition, despite 

the very low levels of activity around the other 

60 or so commercial shipyards in the bay, the 

commercial shipyard side of the RMK yard has 

four 65m search and rescue vessels under 

construction for the Turkish coastguard – this is 

an amazing place led by enterprising people 

and worth a visit by any Oyster owner. 

Tucked away in the corner of the yard is an old 

steel paddle steamer, which RMK intends to 

restore at some point, adding to Rahmi Koç's 

amazing collection of vessels. He has followed 

the trend of his father and set up a very eclectic 

transport museum in downtown Istanbul, which, 

amongst thousands of items, features a London 

double-decker bus and a Dakota, and will soon 

have the restored railway carriage used by 

Kaiser Willhelm in the early 1900s to visit Turkey 

in the diplomatic arrangements happening at 

that time. Th e carriage is being restored by 

Rahmi bey’s special team at his nearby museum 

workshops and I enjoyed a tour around the 

SUPERYACHT UPDATE 

warehouses and facilities. Th e manager talked 

me through how the workshops cover all the 

diff erent skills needed to do anything required 

by the patron – and this currently varies from 

restoring a UK built 50-year old lifeboat, a 

30-year old Riva powerboat, making replicas 

of historic lamp posts, precision restoration of 

oil paintings and valuable artwork, to repairing 

a 1930s Hollywood movie camera! Tucked 

away in one corner is the original eye surgery 

equipment from the specialist hospital his father 

philanthropically set up over 50 years ago and 

much of the workshop's output decorates the 

lobbies of Koç Group operational offi ces and 

the hotels it owns across Turkey. 

Having seen all of this we realised it was the 

perfect home for a 1918 52ft , unique Fife Motor 

yacht we have been trying to fi nd a buyer for 

through SYS. Needing probably £750,000 

spent on her, Falka is an historic vessel and 

has sadly been sitting under a plastic cover in 

Southampton for several years. I was delighted 

to fi nd that Rahmi bey was enthusiastic about 

restoring her and it has been a great pleasure 

to donate the vessel to his museum. She’ll arrive 

in the museum workshops in Istanbul before 

Christmas and we’ll watch her two-year 

restoration with interest. 

THE RAHMI M KOÇ MUSEUM 

Choosing to build the Oyster Superyachts in 

partnership with the Koç Group has certainly 

led to some very diverse experiences! 

We plan to base 100-01 in a marina near the yard 

during the winter months, before handing over to 

her new owner in Spring 2011. Th is will allow us a 

sensible amount of time for sailing trials, thorough 

commissioning and testing of every item of 

equipment on the yacht and also time for the 

international yachting press to spend time on 

board, many of whom have already visited the 

yard throughout the build process. 

I look forward to reporting on her sail trials in 

the next Oyster News. 

Oyster owners who would like to visit RMK 

and see the Oyster Superyachts in build are 

welcome to do so – please contact Liz Whitman 

for details or to make an appointment 

liz.whitman@oystermarine.com 

Far left : Th e hull of the impressive Oyster 125 

moves into the fi t-out facility at RMK 

Above left : Falka, the 1918 Fife motor yacht 

Above right: RMK restoration projects 

Bottom: Exhibits at the Rahmi M Koç Museum 

Th e museum is located on the shore of the Golden Horn and close to the main motorways that 

run through and around Istanbul. Just a few minutes from the Old City, it can easily be incorporated 

into a day's sightseeing programme and is well worth including in your next visit to Istanbul. 

For details about visiting the Rahmi M Koç Museum please visit: www.rmk-museum.org.tr 

or email: info@rmk-museum.org.tr 

WINTER 2010 45

46 


Miss Tippy 

Th e Norton Family of fi ve explore the South Pacifi c as 

part of their circumnavigation with the Blue Water Rally 

on board their Oyster 56, Miss Tippy. 

By Brian and Sheila Norton, Oyster 56, Miss Tippy

OWNER REPORT – MISS TIPPY 

We had a wonderful time in the Marquesas, starting at 

the island of Nuku Hiva and then visiting Ua Poa and 

the famous Bay of Virgins in Fatu Hiva. We hiked up to 

cascading waterfalls, visited old ceremonial sites where 

cannibalism used to be practised and met many friendly 

locals. In Fatu Hiva we bartered clothes and toys in 

exchange for woodcarvings, tapa (ornately decorated 

cloth made from bark) and fruit plucked from gardens. 

Th e Polynesians have a strict protocol that gift s must be 

reciprocated and even small gift s for children provoked 

some gift in return. Th ings that are readily available for 

us at home are highly valued in these remote islands. 

One lady insisted on giving us an expensive wooden 

carving in exchange for a football for her son and 

another gave us tapas in exchange for small pieces 

of rope and half a bottle of perfume. 

WINTER 2010 47

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Aft er the Marquesas we continued with the Blue Water 

Rally to visit various island groups stretched across the 

South Pacifi c to Australia. Th ese included the Tuamotos 

and Society Islands in French Polynesia and the Cook 

Islands, Niue, Tonga, Fiji and Vanuatu. Each group, and 

indeed each island, has distinct characteristics and it 

feels that we have really only scratched the surface by 

visiting a sample of islands in each archipelago. 

“Th e family we had met in Huahine had 

told us there were two types of boat in 

Fiji. First: those that had hit a reef, and 

second: those that were about to!” 

Th e Tuamotos, were the fi rst group. Known also as the 

‘dangerous’ isles the archipelago comprises atolls, which 

are only as high as the tallest palm tree. Coral reefs 

wrap around large lagoons. Infrequent passages through 

the fringing reefs can be hazardous since they generally 

have an outgoing current due to the continuous infl ow of 

water from the Pacifi c over the reefs. We were advised to 

approach the islands by day and have lookouts in the 

rigging to spot uncharted reefs! Th e population of each 

island varies enormously, although all of the islands 

were remote and unsophisticated by western standards. 

Crystal clear, turquoise seas in the lagoons and outside 

the passes provided fantastic diving and an ideal 

environment for many black pearl farms. 


We visited one farm and were fascinated to be shown 

the various steps in the process from seeding to 

harvesting of these glossy jewels. We swam and dived 

with many species of fi sh including a multitude of sharks with 

which the children have become quite comfortable now. 

On one memorable occasion Annie and I even managed to 

snorkel with a pod of dolphins outside the lagoon. 

Aft er the simplicity of the ‘dangerous isles’ it was a 

relatively short hop of a couple of hundred miles to the 

sophistication of Tahiti and the beginning of the Society 

Islands. We took a break from the rally here and went to 

Easter Island. While it is possible to sail to the island, the 

few anchorages can be uncomfortable and hazardous 

so we opted to fl y. Easter Island is a truly mystical place. 

We toured the island extensively, visiting volcanoes and 

the sites of many statues during our stay. Having been 

almost wiped out by disease and internal fi ghting, the 

Rapa Nui people are fi ercely proud of their heritage 

and are happy to share their island with visitors. 

Aft er rejoining the rally we had a leisurely cruise around 

the beautiful Society Islands including Moorea, Huahine, 

Raiatea, Tahaa and the famous Bora Bora. Th ese are 

lush islands set amidst azure lagoons and deep blue 

seas. Th e backdrops to anchorages were oft en dramatic, 

within deep bays such as Cooks Bay in Moorea or set 

against majestic volcanic peaks that characterize islands 

such as Bora Bora. Th e relaxation was very welcome 

aft er the major passages of the previous six months. We 

enjoyed some spectacular diving and swam with stingrays

in Moorea. In Tahaa we visited a turtle sanctuary with 

some friends and were able to take a rescued turtle away 

with us to release back into the lagoon. Finally we found a 

perfect little hideaway on a beach at the south of Huahine 

and spent a week there, frolicking in the sea with another 

cruising family from Australia. 

As Bora Bora faded over the horizon we said ‘Au Revoir’ 

to French Polynesia and set off in variable winds to 

Suwarrow some 500 miles to the North West. Suwarrow 

is one of the Cook Islands and is a large unspoilt atoll. 

It is uninhabited apart from two caretakers who spend 

six months a year there. Th ese two guys quickly became 

our friends and they took us diving, fi shing and hunting 

for coconut crabs as well as hosting several barbeques. 

When we left they gave us sapling trees to plant so that 

we would always have a connection with the island. 

From the Cook Islands we headed to the small island 

of Niue. Th e coastline is rugged and exposed. To 

overcome this, Niue has a dock with a crane to hoist 

tenders onto dry land. Niue Yacht Club welcomed us 

warmly and many of us became members. Th is must be 

the only yacht club in the world where its membership 

outnumbers the population of the island! Th is small 

independent island suff ered from a catastrophic 


hurricane a few years ago and its population has 

plummeted from over fi ve thousand to less than two 

thousand in a few years. Numerous abandoned houses 

are scattered around the island and give it a faintly 

ghostly feel. Nonetheless, Niue has some spectacular 

coastal scenery with deep caverns and crashing waves. 

We enjoyed diving in the crystal clear water and went 

into a cave infested with sea snakes before surfacing to 

see our fi rst whale swimming past about forty metres 

away from us. Our short stop in Niue made a welcome 

break en route to Tonga. 

Tonga comprises three groups of islands and we headed 

for the Vavau group in the north. Th e Kingdom of Tonga is 

the only remaining Polynesian monarchy and it has never 

been brought under foreign rule. As a result the culture 

is quite diff erent to other islands that had been more 

infl uenced by Europeans. Offi cials still wear traditional skirts 

made from woven pandanus leaf mat and mingle with 

others dressed in a more westernised style. We cleared 

customs and immigration in the main town of Neiafu 

and then enjoyed various organized events around the 

islands including a Tongan feast, dinghy racing and beach 

barbeques. Th e Vavau group is hard to match as a cruising 

ground. Within the island group it off ers protection and 

calm seas much like the British Virgin Islands. 

WINTER 2010 49

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However, yachts are still relatively uncommon here and 

there is no crowding in the anchorages. Th e topography is 

beautiful with the islands bordered by cliff s and white sand 

beaches. It would be fun to cruise here for many months 

but our itinerary meant that we had to move on within a 

couple of weeks towards the treacherous waters of Fiji. 

Th e family we had met in Huahine had told us there were 

two types of boat in Fiji. First: those that had hit a reef, and 

second: those that were about to! Th e route through to 

our fi rst destination in Savu Savu took us through a maze 

of reefs and islands. We were shocked to see a ship on 

top of one of the reefs we steered past. Th ese perilous 

seas have seen many ships and boats of all sizes founder 

but luckily none on the rally succumbed to the dangers. 

Fiji is large, with almost one million people dispersed 

over some 100 islands across 1.3m square kilometres 

of sea. Th e majority of the population lives on the main 

islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. We made landfall 

in the latter and were duly entertained by the local 

yacht club in the main town, Savu Savu. Th ey organized 

barbeques and held a traditional kava ceremony in our 

honour. We saw no sign of the racial tensions between 

indigenous Fijians and Indo-Fijians, which have led to 

a number of recent coups. On the contrary we found 

the Fijians to be one of the most hospitable and friendly 

people we have met on our trip. 

Once away from the main town it was fun to visit villages 

where custom demands that you must present Kava to 

the Chief and get his permission to enter. Th ese small 

villages are oft en only connected by a daily bus but we 

found that they held vibrant strong communities. At one 

village we were invited in for lemon tea by a lady and sat 

in her humble rickety hut learning about their life before 

joining a group of ladies who were practicing traditional 

songs and dancing for an upcoming festival. Meanwhile 

the men played rugby on a makeshift pitch, which 

straddled the main road in the village and children ran 

happily around as the late aft ernoon sun started to set. 


Time and time again on this trip we have met people who 

are poor by western standards but who are rich in quality 

of life aff orded by living in strong communities within 

bountiful environments where food can be harvested 

from the sea or from the fruit trees in their gardens. 

“Time and time again on this trip we 

have met people who are poor by 

western standards but who are rich 

in quality of life.” 

Aft er Savu Savu we visited several anchorages around 

Vanua Levu and then crossed Bligh Channel to the 

magnifi cent Yasawa Islands. Many of the soundings in 

Bligh Channel originate from those provided by 

Captain Bligh aft er he was cast adrift from the Bounty 

and was being chased by Fijian cannibals… you certainly 

get a new sense of respect for the man! In the Yasawa 

islands we visited the Blue Lagoon made famous by the 

movie of that title. We swam with manta rays and had 

dinner with villagers in one of their houses. Aft er a few 

unforgettable days we enjoyed a beautiful sail to the 

Musket Cove resort on one of the smaller Fijian Islands. 

Aft er months of anchoring it was nice to be moored 

stern to at this resort and enjoy some of the comforts of 

resort life for a while. Th roughout Fiji we enjoyed diving 

among some of the best soft corals in the world. 

From Fiji we sailed to Vanuatu. We cleared customs 

in the main city of Port Vila, arriving at night in strong 

winds. While we were there they celebrated a milestone 

of 30 years of independence and held a big festival, 

which gave us a wonderful opportunity to see the local 

community. However, we were keen to explore the 

more remote islands. We set sail for Ambryn and felt 

as if we had stepped back in time when we visited local 

WINTER 2010 51

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villages with palm-clad huts and no electricity. One of 

the village chiefs took us on a seven-hour trek through 

the jungle, across ash plains and then along narrow 

ridges up to the lip of the crater of a volcano so that 

we could peer nervously down at the fi ery bubbling 

cauldron below. We camped that night in a palm 

frond lean-to at the base of the volcano and shared 

accommodation with a variety of large spiders! 

From Ambryn we set off north to Espiritu Santo 

and went diving on the President Coolridge, which 

is cited as one of the best wreck dives in the world. 

Th is vast ship had been converted by the Americans from 

a cruise liner to a troop carrier during WWII. On reaching 

the US Pacifi c base in Espiritu Santu it hit one of their own 

mines and sank only a short distance from the shore. 

Aft er another 800 miles we reached Mackay in Australia 

and booked into the marina for some repairs and 

maintenance. Th e day aft er we arrived we were met 

by Robert Vrind, who was our Oyster Project Manager 

while Miss Tippy was being built. It was great to meet 

him again and tell him how well our boat has served us 

across the oceans. He now runs a charter business in 

Airlie beach and we enjoyed some great times with 

him and his family. Aft er settling into Mackay we fl ew 


down to Sydney to visit some friends and see the sights. 

A particular highlight was undertaking the Sydney Bridge 

Climb on Annie’s 10th birthday. Th e organization of the 

climb is second to none and you feel safe, but nervous, 

as you clamber up and over the steel girders overlooking 

the Opera House and the harbour. Th e abundance of 

material goods and commercialism of the city were such 

a contrast to the tranquility of the Pacifi c islands that our 

fi rst few days were quite overwhelming. However, we 

soon got into the swing of things again and it wasn’t long 

before the girls remembered the joys of retail therapy! 

We returned to Mackay and then spent a month cruising 

up the Eastern Coast of Australia within the protected 

waters of the Great Barrier Reef. We explored the

Whitsunday Islands where we saw many whales on 

their annual migration. When we had a calm period we 

anchored out on the barrier reef for a couple of nights. 

We were out of sight of land with only the submerged 

reef for protection and it felt very eerie to be out there 

alone at night. Th e diving and snorkelling were superb 

of course. Th e Australians seem to be managing their 

marine environment well. Th ere are many protected 

marine parks and the abundance and size of the fi sh you 

encounter are a testament to their success. Between the 

marine parks we managed to do some fi shing. We lost 

a few lures before getting used to the large and agile 

Australian fi sh and managed to catch a variety of Tuna, 

large Mackerel and Wahoo, as well as a tasty Trevelli. 

Aft er the Whitsundays we spent some time in Airlie 

Beach before heading up to Port Douglas near Cairns 

and then onward north to Lizard Island. We traced 

Captain Cook’s footsteps to the top of the island, which 

he visited to fi nd a path through the maze of the Great 

Barrier Reef just aft er he had grounded. From there we 

also took a day trip aboard Miss Tippy to the outer reef 

to dive the famous Cod Hole. Large friendly potato cods 

inhabit this area and they are happy to be stroked by 

visiting divers! From Lizard Island it was a bit of a dash 


up around Cape York and across the Gulf of Carpentia 

edging the Northern Territory and into Darwin. We only 

stopped a couple of times to wait for fair tides, since they 

can run at up to 6 knots at times. One such stopover was 

aptly named Escape River. We entered at night in 30-knot 

winds and duly found ourselves tangled up in some pearl 

farm lines that were unlit in the middle of the river. Luckily 

we managed to free ourselves while being cautious not 

to get too near the water, which is infested with many 

vicious crocodiles in this part of Australia. 

Just as we were fi nally entering Darwin, a large rolling 

black cloud of biblical proportions gathered and we 

were soon hit by a squall with 40-knot winds and 

torrential rain. Miss Tippy shrugged it off as ever and 

we were soon safely anchored outside Darwin. Having 

reached Darwin it feels that we have now turned the 

corner for home. However we still have numerous 

exotic locations to visit in Asia, the Middle East and the 

Mediterranean on our way home and we are looking 

forward to the new adventures ahead! 

Photos: Th e Norton Family 

Follow Miss Tippy’s progress with fi lms and regular 

updates on the family’s blog at www.rock2rock.co.uk 

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GONE 

with the wind... 

...ONE OYSTER’S TRIP AROUND THE WORLD. 

BY STEPHEN HYDE, OYSTER 56 A LADY

DECISION TIME 

OWNER REPORT – A LADY 

BY THE END OF 2008, WE HAD DECIDED THAT WE WOULD SAIL AROUND THE 

WORLD WITH THE WORLD ARC FLEET IN OUR NEW TOY – OUR LOVELY OYSTER 56, 

BUILT IN 2002 AND PURCHASED BY MY WIFE AILEEN AND I IN LATE 2006. 

We renamed our pride and joy A Lady. Along with changing the 

name, we also changed the hull colour to navy... a royal colour! 

In 2007, we installed a brand new E120 Raymarine chartplotter, 

the most up-to-date marine navigational technology available, 

plus an AIS; both of these are amazing bits of equipment and 

meant that we were ready to take on the World! 

WINTER 2010 55

56 

24TH JUNE 2009 

A Lady sailed out of her homeport of Crosshaven, 

bound for La Coruña, Spain, the crew consisted of 

my brother Rom, Aileen, Denis O’Sullivan and Vera. 

Th e passage was 510 nautical miles and from the very 

start we had lots of wind, a spanking reach, (as my 

father would describe these conditions) and we arrived 

at our destination in a cool 2.5 days. From there, we 

sailed to the Azores, Portugal, Madeira, Lanzarote and 

eventually onto Gran Canaria for the start of the ARC 

on Sunday 22nd of November 2009. 

In Las Palmas we were delighted to meet Oyster’s 

Customer Care Manager, Eddie Scougall and the Oyster 

Service Team, who did a head-to-toe examination of 

A Lady, and in fact all the Oysters taking part in the 

event. We are lucky to still have a mast on our boat 

today, thanks to their detection of a crack at the 

gooseneck and the Oyster team’s heroic eff orts to apply 

some splints before the start of the ARC. Th is saved our 

carbon fi bre stick from destruction in the 2770 miles of 

strong winds, which followed from the start. 

THE ARC 

Our crew for the ARC was John O’Connor, 

Mark Newenham, Dermot O’Meara, Jeanne Briarly and 

myself. Th is trip was 2,770 miles and we expected it to 

take 16 to 18 days. In typical fashion we had lots of wind 

from the very start. We fl ew our new parasail spinnaker 

on the very fi rst night when the wind reached 32 knots. 

Frightful... this was not what we ordered! But then 

this boat seems to bring its own wind, and we had 

3,600 sq ft of sail up there, so we were screaming along 

at 11-12 knots, but she carried it all very comfortably. 

Th e ARC proved to be a great trip in a great boat, 

we never seemed to be under pressure, except once, 

when the wind reached 36 knots with the Parasail still 

fl ying – the situation scared us all! We were just carrying 

too much sail in too much wind and it was too wild to 

safely take it down. According to Murphy’s law, of course 

this all happened in the middle of the night, and we all 

breathed a sigh of relief when the wind abated at dawn 

and we could take it down. 

Th e crew were great, we fl ew the kite for 75% of the 

trip, and every day it had to be dropped on deck and 

a couple of feet cut off the halyard and the guy as the 

chafi ng was enormous. Our own three guys and one 

girl worked like trojans, but were also well fed, everyone 


was keen to take a turn in the galley to show off their 

culinary skills. Th e galley on an Oyster is just so user 

friendly even in big seas. Dinners ranged from roast belly 

of pork, leg of lamb, cottage pies, fresh fi sh of the day 

from the sea, pasta dishes and so on, of course these 

were accompanied by roast potatoes, creamed spuds, 

veg, and sometimes dessert. Mostly consumed in the 

cockpit, or as we called it ‘Th e Starlight Restaurant’. 

We seemed to have our own breeze almost all the way, 

very rarely going below 22 knots, and we were the fi rst 

boat in our class to cross the fi nish line just 14.5 days 

later (putting us well ahead of schedule). Actually, the 

fi rst four boats in our Class to fi nish in St Lucia were all 

Oyster 56s. 

CHRISTMAS 2009 

Following the ARC, we spent Christmas cruising the 

Grenadines with some of our children and had a great 

time. Th e weather, the sun, the beautiful Prussian blue 

water, the wonderful beaches, the swimming, and of 

course the elegant A Lady, our lovely Oyster 56, taking 

care of the whole family.

THE START OF WORLD ARC – 

ST LUCIA TO LAS PERLAS ISLANDS 

6TH JANUARY 2010 (1,100 MILES) 

Th e fi rst leg of the World ARC departed St Lucia for 

Panama and was the start of a trip that would take us 

around the world and back to St Lucia by April 2011. 

Th e Crew for this leg was Stephen and Aileen Hyde, 

Donal Mc Clement and Kevin Dwyer. Th is leg (as with 

all legs on the ARC and World ARC) was basically a 

race from Rodney Bay, St Lucia, to the San Blas Islands 

(distance of 1,100 miles). 

However, we decided that as we were in this neck 

of the woods, we would also take in the ABC Islands 

(Dutch West Indies) on route. Th ey were beautiful 

islands and well worth the diversion and extra mileage, 

we really enjoyed the whole scene there and again we 

travelled in excess of 20 knots of wind all the way there. 

We spent fi ve days in the ABC Islands and on leaving 

we had a nice reach with 20+ knots, however when we 

were north of Columbia, the wind reached up to 56 

knots for a short period, again we were well reefed 

and on a broad reach, giving us some exciting sailing. 

OWNER REPORT – A LADY 

We arrived at the beautiful San Blas Islands on the east 

coast of Panama a few days later and spent a week 

there enjoying the sheer beauty of these tiny atolls, 

before sailing, via Portsmouth, to Shelter Bay Marina at 

the eastern end of the Panama Canal and spent a few 

days there waiting our turn to transit the Canal. 

We were joined there by Grattan Roberts and his son 

Richard, from Cork. Grattan’s great grandfather was the 

Captain of the SS Sirius, a side-wheel, wooden-hulled 

steamship, built in 1837 for the London-Cork route 

operated by the St George Steam Packet Company. 

Th e following year she opened a transatlantic steam 

passenger service when she was chartered for two 

voyages by the British and American Steam Navigation 

Company and became the fi rst steamship to cross the 

Atlantic, from Cork to New York. 

THE PANAMA CANAL 

For us, the Panama Canal promised to be the ultimate 

experience, and it was. Th e sheer scale and size of the 

operation was breathtaking and the locks themselves 

were awesome. It was dark when we passed through 

from the east side of the Canal up into the world’s 

biggest man-made lake. Th e lighting and the diesel tow 

trains moving along the side of the canal were electric. 

Th e feeling of a milestone having been achieved was 

truly fantastic. We anchored in the lake for the night. 

Th e following morning the wind was very light so we 

motored across the lake and down the far side into the 

Pacifi c where we spent a few days in Flamingo Bay. 

PANAMA TO ECUADOR 

31ST JANUARY 2010 (725 MILES ) 

From Flamingo Bay we sailed to the Perlas Islands, west 

of Panama; again these were beautiful islands, but totally 

diff erent to the San Blas Islands, high and green with 

little in the way of sandy beaches. Grattan and Richard 

left us in the Perlas Islands to return to Ireland. 

Th e wind from Panama to our next destination, Ecuador, 

was little or nothing and we spent most of the trip under 

engine, something we were not used to! What’s more, we 

had our jackets on crossing the equator, could you believe 

that… it’s supposed to be really hot on the equator. At least 

that’s what we were told in school! We spent two weeks 

in Ecuador, which we did not enjoy very much, mostly 

because the port of La Libertad was dirty and exposed. 

A number of boats, including ourselves suff ered damage. 

WINTER 2010 57

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ECUADOR TO THE GALAPAGOS 

18TH FEBRUARY 2010 (530 MILES) 

Again, this leg had very light winds and whilst we spent 

some time under engine, we covered the distance in the 

allotted time of 3.5 days and were still one of the fi rst 

boats to arrive in St Christobal. However, on the way, 

something happened to our E120 Raymarine unit and we 

lost detail as a result, but we could still set courses and 

the radar, AIS and all other functions worked perfectly. 

We spent a couple of weeks in the Galapagos Islands. 

Th e wild life and bird life were truly amazing. It really 

lived up to all expectations in that respect, but we felt it 

was overrated, over priced and over regulated. Just for 

good measure, while we were there, a mini tsunami hit 

the island as a result of an earthquake in Chile, so we 

had to take the boat to sea in the middle of the night 

to avoid any damage. As we were anchored bow and 

stern, we tied one of our big fenders to the stern anchor 

before we left the harbour, which was stolen while we 

were at sea. We also had a fi ll of dirty diesel that gave us 

grief for many months aft er. 

THE GALAPAGOS TO THE MARQUESAS 

7TH MARCH 2010 (3000 MILES) 

Aft er a few hours of little or no wind, a steady breeze fi lled 

from our port side and we had a fantastic sail all the way 

to the Marquesas. Th is was one of the best sails of the trip 

so far, never too much wind or too little wind. My lasting 

memories of this trip (apart from the great sailing) were the 

stars at night, billions of them, dancing up there every night, 

the milky way, the southern cross, Saturn, and so on. 

Th en there were the fl ying fi sh and squid, yes squid, all over 

the deck every morning. One morning, we had 59 fl ying fi sh 

and 22 squid on the deck, we were like a sailing fi sh factory! 

We had our own personal race with Crazy Horse, an 

American owned Sundeer 60. We eventually took all the 

honours and were like a bunch of happy bunnies at the 

ball, or should we say at the prize giving. Each leg of the 

trip is a race in itself, and it’s dog eat dog from the start. 

We arrived in Hiva Oa aft er sailing 3,000 miles in just 

16 days, an average of 7.8 knots. 

We spent three weeks cruising these beautiful Islands. 

We visited Hiva Oa, Fatu Hiva, Tahuata, Ua Pou, and Nuku 

Hiva, before sailing on to the Tuamotu Islands, all part of 

the French Polynesian Islands. Th e scenery and beauty of 

these Islands, coupled with the hospitality and food really 

necessitates a whole article of its own. 

Th at’s an interesting thought – are we sailing around the 

world, or eating our way around the world? 

So far, since we left Cork, we have sailed 13,780 nautical 

miles and have visited 53 destinations in eight diff erent 

countries with lots more still to experience… 

Follow A Lady’s progress at http://blog.mailasail.com/alady

Oyster 46 Oyster 54 

Oyster56 Oyster 575 





LONDON AND DÜSSELDORF BOAT SHOWS 

ON YOUR VOYAGE 

OF DISCOVERY 

PUT OYSTER 

ON THE MAP. 

You don’t have to explore the four corners of 

the earth to fi nd the world’s most beautifully 

made yachts. Th e London and Düsseldorf Boat 

Shows are the perfect destination. 

Here, we can introduce you to the exciting and fulfi lling 

experience of ordering a new Oyster, the peace of mind when 

choosing an Oyster Brokerage yacht, and the ultimate holiday 

experience of an Oyster Charter. However you decide to enjoy an 

Oyster, we look forward to helping you on your way to a journey 

of a lifetime. 

At London you will fi nd Oyster in a new position at the east end 

of the Boat Hall. Please visit the Events section of our website 

where you can fi nd more details about each show and where 

you can also make an appointment to view our yachts by 

completing the online Boarding Pass request form. If you prefer, 

you can of course book a boarding time by contacting our sales 

team direct. 

London Boat Show 

7-16 January 

Stand Nº H79 




Boot Düsseldorf 

22-30 January 

Stand Nº 16C58 



Call +44 (0)1473 695005 

or email us at: yachts@oystermarine.com 

WINTER 2010 59

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SOUTHAMPTON YACHT SERVICES 

OYSTER YACHTS BUILDERS | CLASSIC YACHT REFITS AND REPAIRS | SUPERYACHT REFIT AND REPAIRS 

SMALL WORKS DIVISION | MOTORYACHT REFIT AND REPAIRS | CUSTOM NEW BUILDS 

Th e 78ft Mylne Classic, Alinda V, has slipped 

quietly back into the water following an extensive 

12 month refi t at Oyster’s Southampton Yacht 

Services yard, part of the Oyster Group. 

Th is beautiful, classic ketch was fi rst launched 

in 1934 by Alexander Stevens and Sons in 

Glasgow and has since spent long periods 

in the eastern Mediterranean. 

Th e interior was stripped out to the iron frames 

and the teak planking, engine and tank spaces 

were scanned and fully engineered in CATIA/CAD 

soft ware. New systems were drawn and fi tted in 

3D prior to installation, enabling the engineering 

team to work concurrently with painters, 

joiners and shipwrights. Th e engine room was 

extensively detailed to accommodate a new 

main engine, two generator sets, hydraulic 

system, watermaker and air-conditioning, with 

new fuel and water tanks, batteries, water 

ALINDA V REFIT COMPLETED AT SYS. 

pumps and a water treatment plant in the 

original tank spaces. 

Th e accommodation was slightly modifi ed to 

incorporate en suite heads for all three guest 

cabins; the saloon updated to include a chart 

table and improved stowage, while the galley 

and crew cabins benefi tted from the remodelling 

of the galley and crew heads. Th e joinery 

faithfully copied the style of the original, with 

new oak paneling refl ecting the original patterns. 

Lightweight granite and marble surfaces were 

fi tted to the heads and galley, with fi xtures and 

fi ttings styled to suit the period. 

On deck, the rig had previously been modifi ed 

in the 1960s to a Bermudan format. By fi tting 

in-mast furling masts and furlers, the team at SYS 

was able to extend the spars allowing Alinda V 

to be fi tted with her original 3,000 sq ft sail plan. 

Combined with a full suite of hydraulic winches 

and power pack, this will allow Alinda V to be 

easily sailed shorthanded. Th e original windlass 

and steering systems were refurbished, new 

anchor systems installed in the hull and mooring 

systems improved with additional fairleads. 

All deck equipment was returned to cast bronze 

fi ttings. Deck hatches and the doghouse were all 

discreetly modifi ed to create more space, light 

and ventilation. Th e cockpit coamings were 

extended to incorporate navigation repeaters 

from the doghouse instruments. 

Th e result of this extensive refi t is that Alinda V 

is instantly recognisable, both above and below 

deck, as the pedigree classic she was designed 

and built to be. However, her classic lines hide a 

multitude of modern and practical engineering 

solutions that, together with her new fi xtures 

and fi ttings, ensure she is perfectly equipped for 

life in the 21st century.

SEA LION 

Sea Lion is a 67 ft Yawl built by Abeking and 

Rasmussen in 1953. She is currently undergoing 

an almost complete rebuild at SYS. A large 

number of frames have been replaced and new 

ring frames at the mast have been constructed 

to improve strength in this area. Th e hull has 

been completely re-planked using the West 

system epoxy resin and mahogany. 

RIVA 

NEW OYSTER 885 TO BE BUILT AT SYS 

SOUTHAMPTON YACHT SERVICES 

Th e doghouse has been completely renewed 

and is due to be fi tted onboard in December. 

New joinery has been built in a traditional style 

and is being prepared ready for installation once 

tanks and undersole piping is complete. Now 

that the hull has been refi tted on the keel it is 

clear what a very pretty yacht she will become. 

At the other end of the size scale SYS has just 

completed the refi nishing of a 28’ 1970 Riva 

Aquarama. Th e varnish was removed from this 

iconic motor yacht hull and almost invisible 

repairs made to minor damage sustained over 

a 40-year life. Th e hull was stained and then 

22 coats of varnish applied to achieve the 

exceptionally high quality fi nish demanded for 

a Riva yacht. Fittings and trim were renewed 

and replaced as required. Th e result is a gleaming 

craft that will continue to give great pleasure for 

many more years. 

Renowned worldwide for their refi t and repair 

work on Classic yachts, Southampton Yacht 

Services is also responsible for building some 

of the larger models in the Oyster range and 

currently has fi ve new Oysters in build including 

the fi rst of the new Oyster 625s. SYS will start 

work on Oyster’s newest model in the fl eet, 

the Oyster 885 in the next few months, with 

the fi rst yacht expected to be on the water in 

summer 2012. 

HETAIROS ARRIVES FOR 

WINTER REFIT AT SYS 

Th e beautiful 140ft Abeking and Rasmussen 

ketch Hetairos has recently arrived at 

Southampton Yacht Services for substantial refi t 

work this winter. Hetairos, designed by Bruce 

King, was built using the wood epoxy system in 

1992 at the same time that Southampton Yacht 

Services were also building 80ft yachts in the 

wood epoxy system and has always been a 

striking yacht wherever she has sailed. 

Th e refi t that Southampton Yacht Services 

will be carrying out will include work on the 

hydraulic centreboard system, the rudder, 

winch plinths, propeller and shaft ing. Her hull 

will be completely repainted and her rig is 

being fully overhauled and repainted. Th e 

skilled workforce at Southampton Yacht 

Services are delighted to be working on such 

an iconic vessel and returning her to her full 

glory, ready for next season. 

SYS SUPPORTS OYSTER 

WORLD RALLY OWNERS 

With just over two years to go to the start of 

the Oyster World Rally in January 2013, SYS 

has received their fi rst enquiry for a pre-rally 

‘health’ check. Th e US-owned Oyster 53 

Golden Pearl will arrive in the UK next 

summer, and will undergo some refi t work to 

ensure she is in A1 condition and ready to take 

part in Oyster’s Olympic Regatta in Cowes in 

July 2012, before heading back across the 

Atlantic with the 2012 ARC and on to the start 

of the Oyster World Rally. Of course you don’t 

need to be planning a circumnavigation to 

enjoy the benefi ts of having the team at SYS 

check over your Oyster! Contact Andy Willett 

to discuss your own requirements. Email: 

andyw@southamptonyachtservices.co.uk 

WINTER 2010 61

62 


OWNER REPORT – ELVIS THE GECKO 

FAMILY 

DENT 

TAKE 

A LEAP 

OF FAITH 

On the 1st of March 2009, the Financial Times ran a front page story 

breaking the news that Martin Dent had resigned from Deutsche Bank 

aft er two decades in the City and on Wall Street. Th e article noted that 

despite the credit crisis creating a boom for Martin’s business (he had 

built and run Deutsche’s Distressed Debt/Junk bond trading business) 

Martin was preferring to sail the Pacifi c with his family… 

It was when my wife intercepted the email 

confi rming an order for Pacifi c charts and 

fl ags that she fi rst knew something was up. 

Oh that, and when I quit my job and asked the 

headmaster if we could take our three children 

out of school. Up until then ‘doing the Pacifi c’ 

had been the usual pipe-dreaming chat 

reserved for my sailing mates in the offi ce. 

BY MARTIN DENT OYSTER 66, ELVIS THE GECKO 

However, you have to be careful dreaming as 

an Oyster owner – these yachts will take you 

anywhere and the next thing you know the pipe 

has been replaced by a serious Class A habit! 

I’d really been hooked since 2005, when Oyster 

Brokerage had dealt me the 66 as something 

soft to be getting started on. 

WINTER 2010 63

64 

For a six-month stint on your boat with a young 

family, I don’t think that there can be many 

better routes than starting in the Caribbean and 

ending in French Polynesia. You start in a great 

place and then it just gets better and better all 

the way. It has real variety in terms of lands, 

people and passages. It gets harder to stay in 

touch with home, a defi nite bonus; the people 

you meet get nicer along the way, the water 

gets clearer, and the fi sh and coral become 

more colourful and plentiful. Finally it is all down 

wind, down current, trade wind sailing with 

plenty of wind – we sailed approximately 

8,000nm and our total passage engine hours 

were just ten. 


Involving the family in the fi nal preparations and 

adjusting the boat to longer-term accommodation 

was great fun, whether it was upgrading the 

stereo, provisioning favourite brands of 

chocolate or wine and rum in bulk. Whilst this 

was going on, in what turned out to be the 

most valuable aft erthought, we got our PADI 

certifi cates. As for the more serious marine 

preparation we got a lot of help and advice from 

Oyster; besides Aft er Sales we were able to 

draw on the Oyster presence that invades 

Antigua at the time of their annual Caribbean 

Regatta and most spectacularly for us in the 

great Scottish form of Eddie Scougall. I hired 

Eddie for fi ve days to run me through each 

system onboard, which he did in spades, besides 

sorting a load of problems, and the jokes were 

thrown in for free! 

We settled on Bonaire as our fi rst port of call, 

which gave us a fast 3-day broad reach. 

On arrival we were immediately confronted with 

its strong Dutch organisation and regulations. 

Th e island’s marine environment is strictly 

protected, anchoring prohibited anywhere, and 

we were not even allowed to take a mooring, as 

58 feet was the limit. However there was space 

in the one excellent marina (Harbour Village) 

and the benefi ts of these regulations became 

immediately apparent on our fi rst snorkel trip.

Soon we were putting our newly scored PADIs to 

good use. Th e amazing underwater environment 

gave us a small taste for what was to come – 

and it tasted good. 

At the time everybody was talking about pirates 

so, as we continued west, it seemed the done 

thing to give the coastline of Columbia a wide 

berth – probably unnecessary but it added some 

spice every time we spotted some wandering 

fi shing boat on the radar. I found it hard to 

imagine pirates wanting to venture out in open 

boats in the 35-40 knot easterly but our Oyster 

blasted along nicely, surfi ng in comfort on the 

two-metre seas. 


A daytime arrival at the San Blas is defi nitely to be 

recommended, and this was the only place where 

we found the charts not to be mapped accurately 

to the GPS position. Th e Kuna Indians were, 

however, exactly as advertised in the guidebook 

and we were all moved by their simple tribal 

existence. You could spend months exploring this 

archipelago, but the prospect of breaking into the 

Pacifi c was sucking us towards Panama and a few 

days later we were heading up to Colon. 

Transiting the Panama turned out to be very 

straightforward, the pilot that we had on board 

was fantastic and the whole thing was a great 

education for children and adults. In the locks 

we were raft ed up with a catamaran whose two 

“You have to be careful dreaming as 

an Oyster owner – these yachts will 

take you anywhere and the next 

thing you know the pipe has been 

replaced by a serious Class A habit!” 

hulls provided an excellent port side fender! 

From previous experience with catamarans 

we were relieved that this cat crew were not 

sporting their usual tight speedos. When the 

inevitable waterfi ght did break out, as the photo 

shows, the cat owner had to resort to opening 

up with a hose in his vain attempt to counteract 

the element of surprise as his crew were 

bombarded by the young Oyster brigands. 

Excitement levels all round were ‘off the charts’ 

and champagne was fl owing as we went 

through the fi nal locks and entered the Pacifi c. 

A 72 hour blast in Panama City – restaurants, 

retail therapy, and a couple of nights in a hotel 

in this buzzing metropolis provided the complete 

contrast to the previous six weeks and to the 

coming four months. It wasn’t all roses, and 

Panama at the same time provided the low point 

in the trip being the only place we experienced 

dishonesty. Th is was magnifi ed by the intense 

heat and humidity and I could not wait to leave. 

A ripping passage to the Galapagos soon brought 

us all back on form. Once we’d zig-zagged out 

past all the ships who were waiting to transit the 

Canal we were soon on our own except for the 

abundance of wildlife. Th e fi rst pod of dolphins 

we sighted was in the hundreds, if not thousands. 

We sailed south for three days before our 

progress was slowed by the north running 

Humbolt current and the wind shift ed to the 

east. Aft er nearly two months of down wind 

sailing it was actually refreshing to beat against 

wind and current. And most importantly the sea 

temperature dropped ten degrees; some good 

honest cold weather swept away all the 

Panamanian funk. All crewmembers revelled in 

their British-ness as out came the duvets that 

had been stowed away and on came the fl eecy 

jackets during the night watches. 

Th e children by now were thriving in the onboard 

life, especially on passage. Routine was key: the 

daily washdown and removal of fl ying fi sh and 

squid, the weekly art competition, Friday fi lm 

night, daily bread making, cake baking contests 

and best of all, the weekly quiz on all the places 

visited. Th e quiz took a few days to prepare and 

there was big excitement on the day. 

WINTER 2010 65

66 

When I look back it formed the basis for all our 

education. By now the kids were doing their own 

watch in the aft ernoon, and were joining the night 

watches. At fi rst I thought this was because of the 

shooting stars, or the phosphorescent dolphins 

torpedoing towards the hull, but then I realized 

that it was the chocolate. 

As our latitude approached zero, the boat took 

on a spooky feeling, the deck was deserted save 

for Ray – the autopilot. All the human inhabitants 

of Elvis had disappeared to their cabins and 

were busy constructing their outfi ts. Dressing up 

is de-rigueur when crossing the equator, but on 

Elvis, costume design is serious business. Our six 

year old raided the galley and completely 

wrapped herself up in aluminium foil and was 

the fi rst to make her appearance at the party 

dressed as a sardine. Th en a jellyfi sh arrived, 

Josh appeared as a hammerhead shark and 

Claire a pink lobster, and so on. Th ings went 

from bad to worse as an aft ernoon of games 

began under the humiliating supervision of 

Neptune (Tash). 

As we got closer to the Galapagos a few 

diff erent seabirds joined us. A brown booby 

took up residence on the boom, for three 

days. From his vantage point, ‘Bobbington’ 

as he became known, was able to overlook all 

proceedings down in the cockpit. It was as if 

he was watching over us and whenever you 

climbed on deck there he was looking down, 

night and day. Every once in a while, Bob would 

glide up to about the mast-head height, swoop 

around, then dive down spectacularly and grab 

a fi sh, and then he’d be back to snooze and 

crap it off on our boom. It was one of the 

lessons that we would learn about seabirds 

from our Galapagos guide that the fi rst thing a 

seabird does when it catches a fi sh is to unload. 

Th e birds’ digestive system works so fast that it 

can do this almost immediately, enabling the 

bird to get airborne again quickly. Th e other 

bird that joined us at night was the Swallow 

Tailed Gull – a night feeder. It made a strange 

cackling sound, which was funny to hear out 

there in the dark as we sailed along. 


Th e bursting of our ‘life at sea bubble’ was more 

than made up for by making landfall at the 

Galapagos. We had timed our arrival to be in 

daylight for all the usual reasons, but you would 

not want to miss the dramatic multicoloured and 

multi-shaped rock formations. Th e welcoming 

committee included a pilot whale and dolphins 

breaching on the bow, sea turtles, and the famous 

blue-footed boobies were crashing into the sea. 

It happened to be my son’s ninth birthday so we 

had chocolate cake and party music on as we 

sailed along the north side of San Cristobal and 

it was an extremely excited and happy boat that 

dropped anchor in Wreck Bay. 

Wreck Bay is not the main port of the Galapagos, 

which is Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz. However 

it is the fi rst island you come to and although 

a smaller town, it proved to be a special place, 

a much more sheltered anchorage than Puerto 

Ayora, and we could have stayed for a month. 

It is hard to describe – an Ecuadorian outpost, 

faded offi cialdom, a fair amount of men wearing 

tight uniforms, but they might be riding on the 

back of someone’s scooter or just walking along, 

everybody looks you honestly in the eye and 

smiles. Th ere is absolutely no sense of crime or 

any bad vibe. Our children could just run around 

the streets, make friends, whilst we hung out at 

the café. Another good spot was the little town 

beach, which humans shared with sea lions,

which were friendly and seemed to love 

swimming and playing with us. 

To tour the islands in our own boat required a 

further permit, our cruising plan had to be fi led, 

approved by both the Ministry that governs 

the Land and by the Ecuadorian Navy, and 

then followed to the letter. I was somewhat 

apprehensive about the requirement of having 

to have an offi cial live onboard. I needn’t have 

worried. Th e guide, Santi, was absolutely 

fantastic. He didn’t stop explaining everything 

from the geology to the birds, the sealife and 

plants, and when his day job was done he got 

stuck into boat jobs. He showed us examples of 

the birds and animals that were slightly diff erent 


according to which island they were on and which 

Darwin had observed and used in his research. 

Th e week trip is quite intensive with a predetermined 

programme that takes you from 

island to island where you see amazing wildlife 

and stunning landscapes and geology, both on 

foot and with snorkel. To keep to the programme, 

generally we had night passages to get us to the 

next island. Th e Equatorial Current and the 

Humbolt collide amongst the volcanic islands 

and besides bringing the nutrients that support 

the amazing marine life they also create strong 

currents, which seem to have no pattern and 

constantly change direction. My father-in-law 

and his wife joined us for a very brief four days 

during this Galapagos tour so we had 11 on 

board. Unfortunately for the inlaws, it was a 

bit of a baptism of fi re as we were faced with 

upwind passages for their fi rst two nights. 

Not thinking, I had allocated them the forward 

starboard cabin. With 35 knots across the decks in 

upwind conditions, bashing into a heavy sea, this 

cabin becomes the worst place to be on the boat. 

It was so bouncy that they spent a lot of the time 

airborne. Th e bucket they had in their bed for the 

whole night was airborne too. It was not deliberate 

abuse of my in-laws as some have suggested! 

“Th e welcoming committee 

included a pilot whale and 

dolphins breaching on the bow, 

sea turtles, and the famous 

blue-footed boobies were 

crashing into the sea” 

Th ere is too much to describe about the wildlife 

that we saw, but the close interaction left the 

biggest impressions: the blue footed boobies, 

the sea-lions that we swam and played with and 

which slept on our transom oft en leaving 

sizeable presents, and of course the penguins 

and the marine iguanas. 

Aft er the tour we anchored in Puerto Ayora for a 

further fortnight – another place you could stay 

for months – immersing ourselves in local goings 

on. Th e wildlife experience continues as it is all 

around you – iguanas lying on the sidewalk; 

many an aft ernoon was spent sitting around the 

fi sh market where the pelicans and sea lions put 

on a show as they wait for the scraps, and of 

course the Darwin Institute, home of Lonesome 

George. I had to visit the local doctor and he 

was superb, by necessity a jack of all trades, and 

his gorgeous French wife and yoga guru, came 

onboard to design a yacht yoga programme for us. 

WINTER 2010 67

68 

We did the local dives, the most exciting of 

which was coming across a huge ball of fi sh 

about the size of a three storey house. Not 

being experienced divers we were all a little 

apprehensive about swimming into what we 

thought might be the sharks’ ‘doggy bowl’ but 

soon enough we plucked up our courage, held 

hands and swam into the middle. My 12-year-old, 

Ruby, said it was like the automatic doors in Star 

Trek as an opening appeared as you swam up 

and then closed behind you. Once inside it was 

dark until you breathed out enough bubbles, 

which created a small chimney up to the surface 

about 25m above. We played in amongst the 

fi sh until our tanks were empty. 

“How does a lad from England 

communicate with a lad from 

Fatu Iva – football of course.” 

We had heard that provisioning in the Galapagos 

for the onward passage would be a challenge 

but it was in fact the best provisioning of our 

entire trip at the lowest cost, by far. Th ere is a 

giant market of locally grown produce in Santa 

Cruz and our superb agent delivered half a cow 

to the boat: we would still be eating ‘Galapagos 

steak’ 4,000nm down the trail. 

Th e passage to the Marquesas produced the 

sailing that we’d come this way for: 3,000nm, 

25 knots SE winds, great waves to surf on, hauls 

of fresh tuna, dorado and not one single soul did 

we see or hear on the entire trip. 

We only had one problem, when a tear 

appeared in the leech of the mainsail, with about 

800 miles to go. With the main now substantially 

furled leaving only poled-out yankee and staysail, 

our boat speed dropped to 4 knots – giving us 

an extra 4 days at sea. We were contemplating 

whether to get the mainsail down to repair, not 

that easy handling 90 sq metres of sail, when 


literally mid debate the wind picked up to more 

than 35 knots and we were back at full speed 

with just the two smaller sails. Problem solved, 

provided the stronger winds held. Th ey didn’t 

hold, they strengthened, so for the last 4 days we 

had a roller coaster ride and by the time the island 

of Fatu Hiva loomed out of the clouds we were 

being swept along in 50+ knots. Th e kids loved it, 

the adults could have done with more sleep. 

It was a spooky arrival: the island’s lush highsided 

peaks are constantly in the clouds and 

no sooner had the island appeared mysteriously 

out of the clouds than it promptly disappeared. 

Fatu Iva isn’t a port of entry but I couldn’t see us 

beating back even only the 50nm from Hiva Oa, 

especially in this weather, and anyway the local 

policeman seemed delighted to see us, or 

perhaps he was drunk. In any event you could 

not pass by the stunning anchorage. Surrounded 

by sheer volcanic cliff s and huge bulbous 

volcanic pinnacles one could understand how 

the original name Baie des Verges (‘Penis Bay’) 

came about. But as one book said, it didn’t take 

long for the Catholic priests to insert an ‘i’ to 

‘Baie des Vierges’ (Bay of Virgins). 

Th ere are 600 inhabitants and no airport; aft er 

feeling pretty remote on the passage we now 

felt more remote. We revelled in the amazing 

walks – one up to a magnifi cent waterfall, full of 

unlimited amounts of luxurious fresh water. Th ere 

was an abundance of fruit growing all around, 

and the locals were keen to barter for items that 

did not come on the supply ship… for example 

rum and footballs. 

How does a lad from England communicate with 

a lad from Fatu Iva – football of course. 

On Hiva Oa and Nuku Hiva the people were 

better organised and benefi tted from a more 

diverse gene pool than Fatu. Our time in the 

Marquesas fl ew by: visiting tikis, Gaugin’s house, 

horse riding, climbing to the amazing waterfall 

from Taiao Bay in Nuku, all the while debating 

whether or not we deserved a Marquesan tattoo. 

Th e atolls of the Tuamotus provided yet another 

massive contrast – another brand of paradise. 

Navigating the entrance to our fi rst pass, the 

North Pass of Fakarava, was much easier than 

had been built up. Th e Oyster’s big Perkins made 

mincemeat of the outgoing 5 knot current and 

channel markers and spot on GPS made it all 

straightforward. Th ere is a great little community 

at the North Pass with a beautiful church and all 

sorts of goings on – outrigger canoe racing, 

volleyball, weaving, dancing etc besides the 

great dives at the pass. Oyster farming takes 

advantage of the conditions inside the reef, and 

we were given an interesting tour of one of the 

farms. Th e lagoon also gave Elvis her fi rst fl at 

water in 12,000nm and in recognition of this 

Josh and my nine year old son Bruce 

wakeboarded behind the Oyster as we 

close-reached the 30nm to the South Pass. 

Th e South Pass presented amazing dives – the 

pass was like a shark highway and the white and 

black tips were literally in the hundreds. Or you 

could just watch them from the shore – at your 

feet. We were having such a great time in 

Fakarava that we used up all our Tuamotu time 

here, only managing one other stop at Toua. 

On Toua there is just one family that lives here. 

Gaston and Valentine live off the reef fi sh they 

catch in nets, which they sell once a week to a 

supply ship that comes to the neighbouring atoll, 

but they also welcome cruisers for a barbecue 

of their own lobster and varo. 

Aft er our night with Gaston and his wife Valentine 

we set sail for Tahiti. Whilst Tahiti is a fairly exotic 

location itself, it was the prospect of the big 

Carrefour supermarket that really excited us. 

Fresh milk for the fi rst time in four months, 

a good wine selection and eight wide aisles of 

European branded goods beckoned. Th inking of 

our stomachs, we pushed Elvis along over the 

225 miles arriving at 3am, only to be denied 

entrance by Harbour Control who made us wait 

off shore until daybreak to enter inside the reef.

Of course this didn’t matter as the supermarket 

wasn’t open at that time anyway. We only had 

ten hours in Tahiti but the whole ten hours was 

spent in desperate retail therapy. Even Elvis’s 

tanks were given some diesel for the fi rst time 

since Galapagos, 4,500 miles ago – although 

only a modest top up was needed. 

Now we were into the fi nal leg of our Pacifi c trip 

– the Society Islands of Moorea, Huahini, Tahaa, 

Raiatea and fi nally Bora Bora. Geologically they 

are halfway between the Marquesas and the 

Tuamotus; they have the big volcanic peaks of 

the Marquesas but have started to sink leaving 

a reef about a mile off shore creating the calm 


turquoise water inside – so a combination of 

two diff erent brands of paradise. 

Tash guided us to a place in shallow water inside 

the lagoon in Moorea where stingrays had got 

used to being fed by humans. We found the 

spot and with the help of some tuna from Elvis’s 

freezer soon we were all swimming with, touching 

and feeding the wild rays. 

I could go on and on, but at this point of the 

trip it was all turquoise water and pure selfindulgence, 

but in Bora Bora we did fi nd 

Matetiki, the Marquesian tattoo artist we’d been 

looking for in Nuku Hiva. He’d just moved to 

Bora Bora. So the wife and I were able to 

resume our debate about whether we deserved 

Marquesan tattoos to mark what was the 

culmination of a dream come true. Finally Bora 

Bora has an airport so it was a good place to 

interrupt the dream and head back to London, 

but for what? School? Re-doing the house? 

Going back to work? Or to spend more time 

pouring over charts and planning the next 

sailing installment? 

Photographs: by Martin Dent 

WINTER 2010 69

70 

Sphinx x (Beken of Cowes) 


MODEL 

BEHAVIOUR 

When the annual Oyster Owners’ Dinner 

takes place at the Royal Thames Yacht Club 

on Saturday 8th January 2011, guests should 

allow themselves time to look at one of the Club’s 

hidden treasures. Adjacent to the Britannia Bar, 

the Model Room houses an outstanding array of 

half models. The collection is said to be second 

only in the world to that in the New York Yacht 

Club’s model room.

Th e Royal Th ames Yacht Club, dating back to 1775, has 

nearly 400 half models, illustrating the history of yacht 

design development. With the earliest model in the 

room from 1834, some of the newest include Richard 

Matthews’ 2006 Oystercatcher XXVI, alongside the 

Oyster 62 and Mike Slade’s Leopard 3 from 2007. 

Th e models have been carefully selected to represent the 

majority of Britain’s most famous and signifi cant cruising, 

racing and one-design yachts from the last 180 years. 

“To guarantee a complete and historic 

collection, the club had to commission 

model makers working to the original 

yacht design lines to build new half 

models as necessary.” 

Th e collection was started in 1935, with the Royal 

Th ames Yacht Club’s AGM minutes recording that the 

Vice Commodore, Lord Queenborough, proposed a 

committee build up a half-model collection. He stated 

that, “Th e collection will not only be historic, but 

practically interesting and although it will not in any 

sense compete with the wonderful collection in the 

New York Yacht Club, it will be of the most amazing 

interest to yachtsmen.” It is believed that the Yacht 

designer Charles Nicholson started the collection pre 

the Second World War, and he is certainly recorded as 

running the collection in the post war years. Th e Royal 

Th ames still has a Curators of Models Committee, headed 

by Charles Chapman, the Honorary Curator of Models. 

He is assisted by committee members Peter Nicholson, 

Ed Dubois, Stewart Quarrie and Royal Th ames Yacht Club’s 

Chief Sailing Offi cer Malcolm McKeag, with Charles’ wife 

Cleone performing the duty of Honorary Secretary. 

MODEL BEHAVIOUR 

By the mid 1950s the Club had around 50 half-models 

which were displayed in the billiard room. Many were 

models of club member’s yachts, oft en donated to the 

club by the owners or the builder. Th e art of model 

making pre-dates Samuel Pepys, and models were 

usually made by the yacht designer to show the lines to 

the prospective owner, or more recently were made by 

apprentices or specialist model makers as keep-sakes. 

By 1982 the prolifi c but haphazard collection was 

taken in hand by Charles Chapman, who along with 

Peter Nicholson, great-nephew of the fi rst curator, took 

over the task of organising, recording and formulating 

the rules for the Half-Model collection. Rules were set 

which required that any half models in the collection 

must be in some way signifi cant, either in design 

advancement, racing success, or in broadening and 

popularising the pastime of recreational boating. 

With signifi cant input from Peter Nicholson who provided 

invaluable advice about some of the key yachts to be 

featured, Charles Chapman and his committee set about 

creating a valid and meaningful collection. Th is ranges 

from Jack Holt’s Yachting World keelboat – the 1961 Zest 

– through to 1995’s Mustang Sally, which can claim to 

be one of the fi nest race boats of modern times; and 

from the Yachting Monthly inspired and Maurice Griffi ths 

designed Eventide to Julinar, which dates from 1875 

and is the fi rst racing yacht to depart from the traditional 

classic pilot boat form with a cutaway bow to reduce the 

underwater hull shape. While some may claim today’s 

‘modern’ designs – such as the 1992 Melges 24 with its 

slim hull, vestigial fi n keel with torpedo-shape ballast bulb 

and canoe body – were ground-breaking; the models 

on the wall show that this overall design was already in 

evidence 100 years earlier in the form of Corolla, which 

dates from 1895. 

Th e Model Room 

WINTER 2010 71

72 

To guarantee a complete and historic collection, the club 

had to commission model makers working to the original 

yacht design lines to build new half models as necessary. 

In order to ensure a factually accurate record of the 

development of yacht design, half models were scaled 

to a consistent size, all showing the starboard side up to 

deck level or foot rail height. Th e models were painted 

and decorated as the original owner had it. 

“Amongst the models is My Lady Dainty, 

the Yacht Racing Association’s 18 footer, 

which was a championship winner for 

many years.” 

With a now extensive collection of half models, the 

Royal Th ames Yacht Club needed one location in which to 

create a permanent display. While some – most notably 

the America’s Cup challengers and defenders are mounted 

in the Quarterdeck Bar, and the metre boats and memorial 

board to Stewart Morris and his dinghies are located in 

the Edinburgh Room and the Library respectively – the 

collection was re-housed in the Model Room. Chapman 

personally mounted all the models, arranging them in 

date order around the walls. Th ere is also a collection of 

one-design dinghy models from the 1886 19ft one-design 

Red – the fi rst of a trio named appropriately Red, White and 

Blue – through to a 1986 International Squib. Amongst the 

models is My Lady Dainty, the Yacht Racing Association’s 

18-footer, which was a championship winner for many years. 

A close look at her shape reveals her full fi n and skeg 

design, a design which was years ahead of her competitors. 

Th e Model Room not only creates an impressive visual 

impact – but is also the source of a quantity of useful 

information. It houses the Club’s unique collection of 


Yachting Monthly and Yachting World magazines, which 

are bound in annual volumes from the original fi rst copy 

through to the most up-to-date issue. In addition, there is a 

collection of notated historic photos of the yachts featured 

on the walls, which is kept up to date by Beken of Cowes. 

Th e collection and supporting historic documents have 

proved useful reference for many yacht designers, naval 

architects and even potential owners. A typical example 

is how the principle of what is now considered modern 

design – such as fi n and skeg – was produced in cruisers, 

racers and one-designs in the early part of the last century. 

Th is is illustrated by the 1966 Clarionet, said to be the fi rst 

of the modern-era design with a fi n keel and separate 

skeg-hung rudder. 

Looking around the room, it is easy to spot famous 

yachts, but Charles Chapman cannot be pushed to 

reveal his favourite. However, Malcolm McKeag is more 

than happy to state his – which is Sphinx, a yacht that 

dates back to 1866. It is claimed she gave the world 

the term spinnaker from having set, for the fi rst time, 

a large lightweight downwind sail. Dubbed by her rivals 

a ‘sphinxer’ – or ‘Sphinx’s acre’ on account of its size – 

it is said this created the word spinnaker. 

If you are interested in fi nding out more about the 

history of the Royal Th ames Yacht Club, please visit 

their website at: www.royalthames.com 

Oystercatcher XXVI (Tim Wright/photoaction.com) 

Clarionet (Peter Mumford – Beken of Cowes)

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WINTER 2010 73

74 


THE CONCEPT 

OF SAILING 

Fun 

IS TO HAVE 

BY ALAN BROOK, RECENTLY RETIRED MD OF OYSTER 

AND OWNER OF THE NEW OYSTER 56, SULANA 

Retiring and sailing off into the sunset is what so many of us dream 

of. But the reality is quite a strange, bittersweet moment when it 

actually happens. Now here we are in Las Palmas, with three weeks 

to go until our fi rst Transatlantic trip! However did this happen to us?

OWNER REPORT – SULANA 

WINTER 2010 75

76 


“Early retirement suddenly meant we could look to fulfi l our own 

dreams in the best possible way, with the design and construction 

of our own customized and personalised, new Oyster.”


Five years ago, aft er a week of helping 

Oyster Owners prepare for their own 

ARC adventure, my wife, Sue, and I were 

standing on the deck of Las Armas, the 

Canarian ferry acting as the ARC committee 

vessel, anchored off Las Palmas. 

We were there as guests of Andrew Bishop and 

Jeremy Wyatt, of World Cruising Club fame and organisers 

of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). Th ey had invited us 

on board to watch the start of the ARC, and given us the 

perfect opportunity to wave goodbye to the Oyster fl eet. 

Th e fl eet of over 225 yachts struggled with their spinnakers, 

each trying to fi nd enough space to cross the line safely 

before setting off on their own grand adventure. Having 

observed the stresses and strains of many of our owners, 

their families and crews, and seen the emotion of the 

moment etched on their faces as they worked hard to get 

themselves ready, the enormity of what they were about 

to do had a sudden impact. 

Sue turned to me and spoke those fateful words 

“Do you know, it’s such an exciting and emotional 

experience I almost want to do it myself on our own yacht.” 

Of course, at that time it did not seem likely to become a 

reality, but nevertheless I was stunned by this comment, 

from the lips of that self-confessed non-sailor, my own dear 

wife, and began to harbour dreams of fi nding a suitable, 

older Oyster that would do the trick for us; perhaps an old 

Holman & Pye 435 or a 46, if we were lucky. And what 

a fi ne yacht either one would have been too! 

It had to be an Oyster, of course, as I had been far too spoilt 

in my 33-plus years of helping design, sell, build and 

commission this range of yachts, but the concept of taking off 

and sailing away still seemed a far off , distant prospect then. 

Little did either of us ever expect to be in the position 

in which we subsequently found ourselves, but, early 

retirement suddenly meant we could look to fulfi l our 

own dreams in the best possible way, with the design and 

construction of our own customized and personalised, 

new Oyster 56. 

WINTER 2010 77

78 

Th at meant so much to us both. It was now open to me 

to get the latest and best of everything technical and 

electronic, according to my own opinions (not somebody 

else’s). Sue was happy to indulge me and my dreams, 

but could also be equally involved, by discussing joinery 

detailing, and taking charge of interior and exterior 

décor and fi nishing touches. Involving Sue in every small 

detail and decision along the way ensured she felt this 

was going to be her new home, too, just as much as 

mine. A fairly essential requirement for any successful 

cruising family! 

Th e meetings with my personal, appointed Oyster 

Project Manager (one Alan Brook, ably supported and 

assisted by Debbie Johnson, it must be said!) and yard 

visits were great fun. Th e key to this process being so 

successful though, was that we made the majority of 

the specifi cation decisions early, prior to the start of 

moulding, to get the basics resolved. 

Th at meant all involved were well prepared for our 

special wishes and could give due time and attention 

to planning and designing their installation and fi tting. 

I was insistent on optimizing every last cubic inch 

of storage space as this, I knew, is always a major 

consideration on board any cruising yacht. It would take 

great care and considerable eff ort by all those involved 

to maximize this and get it right. Early decisions really 

were the key to a good build programme and a carefully 

designed installation plan, that avoided loss of stowage, 

would follow. 

Having fi rst chosen our base colour scheme for the yacht, 

we asked for some sample panels to fi ne-tune the exact 

shade for the hull. For those interested: something that is 

a mix of turquoise/aquamarine/blue/jade – chosen to be 

as close as possible to the colour of the shallow seas off 

Antigua, as seen over white sand. 

With a slightly unusual gelcoat colour for our boot top 

and cove lines, we watched as Martin Bridgland and 

his loyal GRP moulding team took great care to get 

our hull and deck structures strong and exact. Th e hull 

reinforcements alone that go into an Oyster make such 

a diff erence to your on-board comfort, when cruising in 

far-off places, where rocks and coral abound. 


“I discovered it really does make such a 

diff erence to build your own yacht to your 

own specifi cation! Nothing can compare 

with that pride of ownership when it 

comes to sailing off .” 

It was also very special for me to watch old friends, like 

Tony, wearing his trusty West Ham woolly hat, work his 

magic with the delicate job of gelcoat fi nishing. I am so 

glad he didn’t retire before me! Th is is one strong boat 

and she is going to last. 

Th en, in July last year, the hull and deck were delivered 

to Landamores’ ‘new’ yard in Wroxham, to await entry 

into the fi tting-out bay that was to be Sulana’s home for 

the following seven to eight months. Yes, it is equally 

important to choose a yacht’s name early, too! Aft er 

many weeks of pondering, Sulana it was to be. 

Each one of the work force at Landamores took delight 

in gently ribbing me on all I had forgotten about yacht 

building since taking up my directorial desk job! 

However, they also took justifi able pride in their varied 

personal skills, ensuring our Oyster met our every 

requirement. I discovered it really does make such 

a diff erence to build your own yacht to your own 

specifi cation! Nothing can compare with that pride 

of ownership when it comes to sailing off . 

It was a real joy to work with Ronnie, Kevin, Terry, David, 

Gavin and his team on board, to name just a few. Several 

of them reminded my father, David, while he was visiting 

Sulana, of how they had built his own Oyster, 28 years 

earlier! Personally, I recall my fi rst-ever visit to the yard 

as a young upstart salesman, new to the industry, and 

meeting Leslie Landamore, while Leslie’s father, Anthony’s 

grandfather, called in, just to check on how ‘his boys’ 

were doing! Th ere is nothing quite like family continuity 

for generating the best of traditions and loyalties. 

Th ere were so many enjoyable moments of shared 

delight in their true craft smanship. It is also too easy 

to take for granted what goes into the build of every 


Oyster yacht, but far less so when it is you they are 

working for. We shared our concerns and thoughts and 

they would suck their teeth and then come back with 

suggestions and helpful, constructive modifi cations or 

ideas. Each of these, once kicked around, discussed, 

quoted and agreed, added that certain little ‘je ne sais 

quoi’ to the growing list of specifi cations on our personal 

master worklist. Th e fi nal design of our specially veneered 

saloon tabletop grew out of one of Ronnie Yaxley’s many 

highly valued sketches, such as I had always enjoyed 

working with in my earlier days. Th e fi nal solution, 

beautifully produced by brothers, Robert and James 

Seymour, of Wycombe Panels, stands as a permanent 

testament of the enjoyment we gained through working 

with the yard. 

Th e launch of our beautiful Oyster 56, Sulana was special 

too, with friends from near and far joining the celebrations. 

It was certainly memorable in that the heavens opened 

up early in the morning and threatened to dampen the 

whole day, but God shut off the taps with just an hour 

to go, leaving our pride and joy sparkling in the glory of 

her freshly-washed teak decks. 

Motoring out of Fox’s Marina two weeks later, waving 

goodbye to family and friends standing on the shingle of 

Ostrich Creek spit was one thing – but heading for the 

Orwell Bridge, with the Oyster staff lining the balconies 

and windows of their offi ces was something else. 

Th e Oyster team that I had grown up in business with; 

all those people I had helped pull together and worked 

alongside over all the years; they were almost as much as 

family to me and I was very unsure as to how much I would 

miss them, or they me. Notwithstanding the excitement of 

the moment, it was a very emotional morning. 

Were they cheering to see the back of me? Was this 

really the end of life as I used to know it? Would I even 

enjoy retirement and a cruising life? Only one way to 

fi nd out – go and try it! 

Th e weather forecast for the next three days was still 

forward in my mind, as was Debbie Johnson’s gloomy 

prediction of rain and wind from the southwest. We left 

Fox’s on the ebb, at half tide, to take the new fl ood and 

pick up the east coast’s ‘gravy train’ down to the South 

WINTER 2010 79

80 


Downs. Th e weather was better than it might have been, 

the yacht and crew held up well, and the Goodwin Sands 

were passed at the turn of the tide, as planned, so it was 

“carry on regardless, me hearties!” 

We decided to continue, take the whole of the ebb along 

the south coast and see how things panned out for the 

Channel Islands when closer. Some of the crew were a 

touch less than enthusiastic, as it was still bumpy and wet 

on deck for a fi rst serious passage, but they didn’t mutiny 

and continued to trust in my claims that this would be the 

last time that, as a gentleman cruising yachtsman, I would 

take them to windward in such conditions. 

As it happened, a tiny, but quite important printed circuit 

board stopped functioning as we passed Brighton, then 

a troublesome hydraulic seal that had already been 

changed once before, during commissioning, let go 

again. So that changed my view. New boat, I reminded 

myself, with things settling down under the stresses and 

strains of continuous sailing that cannot be replicated 

under commissioning test conditions. So it was an easy 

decision to put into Saxon Wharf for a short stop, to 

allow Andy Willett, of the Oyster Group’s, Southampton 

Yacht Services, to get us quickly back to 100%. 

We suddenly remembered we were retired now, so 

there was no longer any need to hurry and push on! 

What a relief and blessing. Time was on our side. 

It made such a diff erence to our fi rst three months 

on board, knowing we did not have to hurry anywhere, 

as long as we made Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, in time 

for the start of the ARC, that is! 

Earlier this year, I happened to read in Scuttlebutt, the 

following poignant note from somebody called Ginny 

Jones (who I don’t know). I thought at the time she really 

captured the essence of what this cruising life is all about, 

so I copied it down and hope she does not mind my 

quoting her: 

“How about the concept of sailing to have fun? 

Watching the changing colours of a peaceful sunset 

far offshore, as the cook and assistant (pot washer) 

clean up after a delicious supper and the watches 

change. Meanwhile some pleasant music comes out 

through deck speakers. It is The Eagles singing Hotel 

California. The watch going off is contemplating a 

good sleep and the watch on deck is sailing along 

with, perhaps, dolphins under the bow, and a full 

moon on the rise. That is what REAL sailing is all about 

– good seamanship, a good boat and good sailing, with a 

new island or venue in the offi ng and new friends.” 

Re-reading this quote now, I cannot help but smile and 

nod at the truth of what Ginny was getting at when she 

wrote this. Since our departure we have been enjoying 

our sailing in a completely new way, a way that has put 

a totally diff erent complexion on our previous life ashore. 

My wife and daughter crew now know they can trust me 

and I them. I have not taken them to windward again

since the maiden trip to Southampton. We benefi ted 

from an accurate WindGuru forecast whilst in 

Southampton and headed south, out of the Needles 

Channel under a brisk northerly! Once in Jersey we took 

a breather, enjoyed a Sunday visit to the town Church, 

to make our grateful thanks known, followed by a very 

enjoyable day out at Gerald Durrell’s fabulous zoo. 

Another weather update made it clear, however, that to 

avoid getting bottled up in the Western Approaches for 

quite a long time, we needed to think about moving on. 

We were not in a hurry, but we were still keen to sail the 

seas in a sensible fashion and avoid gales and headwinds. 

Another spell of brisk northeasterly winds were due 

to start and last just long enough to blow us down the 

French and Spanish coasts, if we left on the morrow. 

If we waited, however, there were two very deep, 

violent-looking depressions hiding out in the Atlantic 

that would soon sweep in and block off Biscay to 

prevent any properly comfortable and enjoyable, let 

alone safe yachting. We decided to head out and get 

round Ushant as quickly as we could. What a joy that 

fi rst 1,400 mile passage to Madeira was! All downwind 

and in fantastic wind and sunny weather, while the 

predicted gales swept in from the west – well behind 

us to the north. 

Th e weeks of sailing since Sulana’s launch have been 

full of planets, galaxies, shooting stars and satellites in 

the night skies, with the odd small squid on deck in the 

morning, while we have had the pleasant company of 

whales, dolphins and rare seabirds in the daytime, plus 

the joy of uninhabited islands and some amazing 

anchorages. We are still learning our seamanship and 

getting to grips with weather – and I guess we always 

will. I am constantly amazed at how much I still have left 

to learn aft er 33 years in the industry and over 50 years 

of serious sailing experience! 

I have many, many fond memories of times at sea when 

I was racing off shore and could still enjoy my sailing, 

but more recently this fi ne sport has developed into a 

professional arms race. Th e design and construction of 

yachts still bear little relationship to the demands thrown 

up by the real dangers and challenges of the sea. 


“Th e weeks sailing since Sulana’s launch 

have been full of planets, galaxies, shooting 

stars and satellites in the night skies.” 

Sadly, many of the lessons learnt from Fastnet ’79 appear 

to have been ignored or lost in the mists of time. Hence 

the direction taken by Oyster towards producing and 

developing proper cruising yachts. 

Nowadays, on board Sulana, I really relish the evening 

watch and noting the fi rst stars and planets to rise. I recall 

in my sailing past, the delivery trips home aft er racing 

were always just as much a part of the racing and just as 

much fun as the actual event itself. Th at was where our 

seamanship skills were honed. Th e return passages, oft en 

short-handed, were when a young foredeck hand got to 

steer and learn to navigate. He also got to do all the other 

jobs on board that were otherwise forbidden him. Th at is 

much the way I learnt. 

Now many areas remain guarded as the sole province 

of the professional crew. All that remains available for 

the young, enthusiastic beginner, still wet behind the 

ears, is to be told to fold himself double and lean out 

over an uncomfortable guard wire, to act as ‘rail meat’. 

Little chance to develop real sailing skills there! 

Ginny’s quote on the joys of ‘real sailing’ ended: 

“Obviously there are some folks who won’t get the 

concept, but there are many real sailors out there who 

have fond memories of some time at sea when they 

weren’t racing and could actually enjoy sailing.” 

Well, the time is now! We are ready to go and dip our 

toes in the water and cast off . See you there... 

Photos: Alan Brook, Peter Evans, 

Ian Roman and Barry Pickthall 

WINTER 2010 81

82 

2007 Oyster 72 Cookielicious 

Winner of the Oyster Palma Regatta in 2008, this 

Oyster 72 has built up a successful charter record. 

Fitted with all the optional extras that you would expect 

and presented in a truly fi rst class turn-key condition. 

Quarter shares also available at £675,000 ex VAT. 

£2,600,000 ex VAT 

Lying: Caribbean 

2007 Oyster 56 Amanzi 

Amanzi is particularly appealing to the enthusiastic 

yachtsman thanks to her cutter rig and full battened 

mainsail, off ering great sailing performance. She is 

highly specifi ed and has been in continuous care of 

a skipper to keep her in the best condition possible. 

£920,000 inc VAT 

Lying: Caribbean 

2004 Oyster 49 Galloper 

Th e Oyster 49 was designed to modernise hull profi les 

and boost performance. Th is example is a fantastic family 

yacht with three good sized cabins and sumptuous 

accommodation. She has been maintained and upgraded 

to an exceptional standard. 

£450,000 inc VAT 

Lying: Oyster UK 

www.oysterbrokerage.com 


2002 Oyster 47 Escapade of London 

Late model, one owner Oyster 47 designed by Holman 

& Pye with very light use and careful maintenance 

schedule. Presented in fi rst class condition with full level 

of equipment. Accommodation for eight in three cabins 

plus the saloon. 

£360,000 inc VAT 


Oyster Brokerage Ltd: Fox’s Marina Ipswich Suff olk IP2 8SA UK 

T: +44 (0)1473 695100 F: +44 (0)1473 695120 E: brokerage@oystermarine.com 

Oyster Brokerage USA: Newport Shipyard One Washington Street Newport RI 02840 USA 

T: +401 846 7400 F: +401 846 7483 E: info@oystermarine.com 

SAIL | BROKERAGE | CHARTER | REFIT 

NEW LISTING NEW LISTING 

2007 Oyster 655 Proteus 

Proteus has been built to MCA Charter specifi cations 

with an exhaustive list of extras. Interior joinery is honey 

teak and equipment below decks are of superyacht 

standard. Fully-battened mainsail and carbon cutter-rig 

make sailing exhilarating. 

US $3,500,000 ex VAT 

Lying: West Med 

1997 Oyster 55 Shearwater of Rye 

Very nice late model 55. A versatile and simple cutter 

rig with an in-mast furling mainsail make her easy to sail. 

Below decks she has beautiful teak interior joinery, and 

a layout that sleeps eight in four cabins, without using 

the saloon. 

£399,000 inc VAT 


2009 Oyster 62 Stuff n Stuff 

Built in 2009 and very lightly used, this boat presents 

‘as new.’ Beautiful oak interior and very high spec, push 

button sailing. Skipper maintained from new and never 

chartered. Only around 200 hours on the engine. 

Viewing highly recommended. 

£1,395,000 ex VAT 

Lying: West Med 

PRICE REDUCED 

2005 Oyster 53 Boysterous 

Th is Oyster 53 is a sloop with cutter rig and fully 

battened mainsail. Finished in American white oak, she 

off ers spacious accommodation with a light and airy feel. 

Many home comfort extras to original build including 

microwave, generator and watermaker. 

£450,000 ex VAT 


2009 Oyster 46 Leonella 

Th is g5 Oyster 46 is very well equipped, with 

generator, watermaker and electric in-mast furling. 

Leonella has sailed her crew across to the Caribbean 

and back in perfect comfort and safety. A very rare 

opportunity to purchase a 2009 Oyster 46. 

£550,000 inc VAT 

Lying: Oyster UK

OYSTER BROKERAGE – THE SPECIALISTS IN PRE- OWNED OYSTER YACHTS 

AVAILABLE TO VIEW AT THE LONDON BOAT SHOW 

2006 Oyster 82 Tillymint 

A stunning Oyster 82, beautifully built by our Southampton 

yard, TillyMint has recently had a major price reduction from 

€3,750,000 to £2,750,000 ex VAT. She is presently undergoing 

a pre-season maintenance refi t and will be available to view, 

on the water, at the London Boat Show. TillyMint features a 

We invite you to view TillyMint at the London Boat Show on Berth Nº P68. 

Please contact us to reserve a boarding time or for more information. 

Please visit our website, which is updated daily with all the latest listings and information on 

each yacht or better still, come and talk to our team at the London International Boat Show, 

where we can show you detailed specifi cations for all the yachts currently available through 

Oyster Brokerage. We look forward to seeing you. 

stunning interior; superbly hand craft ed in mahogany, with up to 

13 berths, 5 heads and panoramic saloon views. She is fi tted with 

hydraulic in-mast furling cutter rig, with full push-button control. 

Th is is a serious opportunity to purchase a luxuriously appointed 

Oyster 82 at an extremely competitive price. 

£2,750,000 ex VAT 

WINTER 2010 83

84 


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OWNER REPORT – ESPER 

Red Sea Paradise ? 

YEMEN AND OMAN VIA PIRATE ALLEY 

Jamie Furlong became a full time sailor and traveller in 2002, crewing yachts 

throughout Europe, culminating in a yacht delivery across the Atlantic, where 

he met Liz Cleere in Antigua. She was bitten by the bug and, aft er extricating 

herself from a demanding job and crippling mortgage, sold her house and 

joined Jamie in 2005. Th ey bought their Oyster 435 Esper in Turkey, where they 

spent the next three years preparing her for world cruising. 

BY LIZ CLEERE AND JAMIE FURLONG, OYSTER 435 ESPER 

WINTER 2010 85

86 

Th ings can get tense in the Gulf 

of Aden (aka Pirate Alley) 

especially in the middle of the 

night when you are maintaining 

radio silence, scanning the 

water for fast-moving shadows, 

and trying to sail in formation. 

Th e last thing you want to hear 

is your friend coming through 

loud and clear to let you know 

that he is taking in water. 

In late February we reluctantly 

left idyllic Sadla Island in Eritrea, 

with the intention of getting as 

far south as possible before 

crossing the Red Sea to Yemen. 

Th is was our fi rst taste of sailing 

in convoy. If you have never 

sailed in convoy we have one 

simple piece of advice: don’t, 

unless you have to. Th e stress 

and mental torture of trying to 

get 14 yachts of varying 

degrees of perverseness to sail 

at the same speed, in the same 

direction and in formation is like 

trying to herd cats with attitude 

that all think they are Top Cat. 

How many skippers do you 

know who like taking orders? 

Th e fi rst 100 miles from Sadla Island put the 

convoy theory to the test. Depending on the 

individual skipper some found the convoy too 

slow, some found it too fast, there were boats 

who, having been given a waypoint refused to 

deviate from it even though the leader had 

altered course, and there were yachts who 

simply strayed from their group and sailed 

where they liked. Everyone had an opinion and 

they all expressed it. Lo grimly pressed on, 

knowing from experience that we would settle 

into a rhythm... eventually. 


“We’re pumpin g out manually. We can’t find 

where the water’s comin g in... so much water’s 

comin g in at the momen t. The en gin e’s completely 

covered, the saloon is half full...” 

Adding to the general tension Cobble developed 

engine trouble during this early stage and was 

heroically towed by the Swiss boat, Anthea. 

When headwinds reduced Anthea’s speed to 

less than 3 knots Lo called a halt to our progress. 

We took shelter in the shallows, close to the 

border with Djibouti and managed a few hours 

sleep while Morris and Cillian, on Cobble, 

managed to make temporary repairs to the 

engine. Unfortunately our presence proved too 

much for the local military who, within a matter 

of hours, moved us on. By now we were used to 

being woken up at dawn by 

machine guns. It was a truly 

beautiful morning but, more 

importantly, the headwinds 

had died. Now was the perfect 

opportunity to make a dash 

across the shipping lanes of 

the Red Sea. 

Along with piracy, the Bab el 

Mandeb (“Gate of Tears” in 

Arabic) had been one of our 

biggest concerns. Th is 

notorious stretch of water 

connecting the Red Sea with 

the Gulf of Aden is divided by 

the Island of Perim, with 

Dact-el-Mayun to the west and 

the smaller Alexander’s Strait, 

only two miles wide and our 

chosen route, to the east. 

Ferocious winds oft en blow 

through these narrow channels, 

accompanied by strong currents 

and turbulent seas, making the 

Bab el Mandeb impassable for 

small boats, oft en causing them 

to shelter in a protected 

anchorage for weeks until a 

suitable window appears. 

Our departure time from 

Sadla Island had been based 

on careful consideration of weather conditions. 

By taking information from several sources over a 

sustained period (twice daily reports on every day 

of the rally) we timed the crossing well, making 

our move just as the change in wind direction and 

speed was at its gentlest. We crossed a fl at Red 

Sea and quickly passed through the Strait. 3 knots 

of current popped Esper out into the Gulf of 

Aden like a champagne cork. Th e current soon 

dissolved, but spirits were high and we were all 

on full alert as we began our journey through the 

most pirate-ridden stretch of water on earth.

Aft er many years of taking boats through 

the Gulf of Aden, Lo Brust has devised a 

simple kite-shaped sailing pattern for a 

successful convoy. He is positioned at the 

front and centre point of the kite. Group 

1 follows him a quarter of a mile on the 

starboard quarter, Group 3 mirrors 

Group 1 on the port quarter and Group 2 

B 

How the con woy worked 


A 

stays a mile directly behind Lo. At night 

the groups close in. 

Each of the groups contains four or fi ve 

boats, including a ‘leader’. Each leader 

is given a diff erent coloured fl ashing light, 

which is mounted on the stern. Th ese 

three group leaders and Lo maintain the 

kite shape by watching their AIS 

fi g.1 

THE ‘KITE’ FORMATION 

Sailing under 

normal conditions 

Sailing at night or 

when threatened 

“If you ha ve n ever sailed in con voy 

we ha ve on e simple piece of advice: 

don’t, unless you ha ve to.” 

transponder readings. Th e other boats 

in each group simply follow their lead 

boat. Th e only prerequisite for becoming 

leader is the possession of an AIS 

transponder. As Esper was one of the 

three boats in the rally with this piece 

of equipment we were given the task 

of leading Group 3. 

WINTER 2010 87 

A 

B

88 

“On Chan n el 16 a na val warship began 

a on e-sided con verstaion with a 

commercial vessel about pirates 

spotted in the vicinity” 

Aft er the exhilaration of 

making it through the Bab 

safely the convoy began to 

lose formation. Our group was 

particularly bad at staying 

together throughout the rally, 

with two boats oft en tending 

to lag behind, ending up at the 

back of the ‘kite’ formation 

with Group 2. Th is left Esper in 

the correct position as leader, 

but oft en on her own or with 

the company of only one or 

two other boats. Inevitably, 

whilst Esper was stranded, there suddenly 

appeared several fast moving skiff s heading 

straight towards us from all directions. 

“Rally boats, rally boats, close in NOW!” 

Lo was talking to us on Channel 72, while at 

the same time, on Channel 16, a naval warship 

began a one-sided conversation with a 

commercial vessel about pirates just spotted in 

the vicinity. With Lo steaming ahead of us, and 

Group 1 on our beam, the rest of our group and 

Group 2 behind, Esper was left on her own and 

vulnerable. It was a heart-stopping moment. 


The ‘attack’ turned out to be a false alarm. 

Lo informed us we were passing a fi shing village, 

but he had got the message across: the plan of 

closing in fast together, should we fi nd ourselves 

under attack, had not worked because boats 

were not adhering to his carefully planned ‘kite’ 

formation. From that moment most of the Rally tried 

harder to stay where they had been placed by Lo. 

Strangely enough, it was not the ever-present 

threat of piracy that kept us on full alert through 

this most dangerous of waters. Th e constant 

menace from haphazardly laid, and poorly 

marked, fi shing nets quickly became our biggest 

dread and took up all our 

waking thoughts. Th e coasts 

of Yemen and Oman are alive 

with fi shing vessels of all sizes 

and shapes, with nets strung 

out behind and in front of 

them. Sometimes they are lit at 

night, but quite oft en they are 

only marked with a fl oat. Most 

of the fi shing boats leave their 

lights off until a boat gets close 

to them, so navigating through 

this assault course really keeps 

you on your toes. As our group 

was on the landward side of the ‘kite’ we were 

closer to shore and more vulnerable to the nets. 

On several occasions one or other of our boats 

was snagged by them. 

Despite the niggling and whining induced by 

sailing in formation, when it came to our fellow 

rally boats being in any kind of danger everyone 

stepped up to the mark. Having towed Cobble 

over 200 miles Anthea was struck down with a 

broken head gasket just aft er leaving Aden. 

Th is time it was Lo, on Mistral, who undertook 

the towing of another yacht. In an enviable feat 

of engineering Jean Claude was able to repair

Anthea’s engine whilst being towed; by the time 

we reached Al Mukallah he was able to steer 

into the anchorage under his yacht’s own power. 

Th ere were several unscheduled night-time 

diving adventures when yachts were caught 

in nets. Anthony, of Divanty, had the most 

accessible dinghy, and time and again lowered it 

into choppy water, fi xed the outboard to it and 

motored from boat to boat with people, 

equipment and underwater torches to help 

disentangle props from nets. “It all adds to the 

excitement,” was his comment. 

For 750 miles we crept along at 5 knots in the heat 

of an Asian spring, but when Ian, of Rhumb Do, 

broke radio silence to tell us he was taking in 

water a cold chill ran through the rally. Props 

caught in nets, failing alternators and broken 

autopilots were one thing, but this was diff erent. 

As we listened in silence to Ian’s VHF bulletins, 

every boat willed him to locate the problem and 

fi x it. Th e Yemeni coastguard has a good 

reputation, but we all knew there would be no 

chance of rescuing Rhumb Do if she really was 

going down. All around the blackness was lit by 

the fl ame from a nearby oil platform, giving off a 

malevolent orange light, under-laid with the roar 

of machinery. We strained our eyes for Ian’s 

yacht, scanning an eerie horizon that looked like 

a scene from Mordor, with Sauron’s burning eye 

watching us. In the darkness, Jamie hastily 

prepared towlines as it seemed likely Ian’s 

engine had seized. Agonising minutes passed. 

Finally Ian located the problem: the end cap 

of his heat exchanger had split and broken off . 

He hastily jury-rigged a solution, while his crew, 

Robbie from Canada, baled like crazy. Once 

again we were on our way. 

It was during the leg from Al Mukallah to Salalah 

that we marked a special day and took a few 

moments to forget the pressure – Jamie’s 40th 

birthday. Since we were maintaining radio 

silence some of the yachts came alongside to 

wave and Liz managed to produce over 40 

birthday cards she had somehow kept hidden 

since Turkey. Breaking all their rules, Jamie had a 

can of beer and Liz had a small nip of scotch to 

mark the occasion. 

Among the stress and strain of sailing in convoy, 

avoiding fi shing nets and watching for pirates, 

there were priceless moments on land which we 

will remember for ever. We did not see much of 

Yemen, in fact we only saw Aden, but we fell in 

love with the people and the place. Since ancient 

times Aden has been a key port on the east west 

trading route, but aft er the withdrawal of the 

British in the late 1960s decades of civil strife 

have left the town pock-marked, dishevelled, 

and abandoned. 


Tactics for sailing in the Gulf of Aden 

We knew when we made the decision to sail through the 

Gulf of Aden we were taking a risk. By joining a rally we 

minimised that risk, a view shared by the crew of HMS Chatham. 

THE TACTICS ARE SIMPLE FOR SMALL YACHTS: 

• Sail in company 

• Have on board as many methods of communication as possible 

• Sail close to land 

• Inform the MSCHOA of your intentions long before you begin 

the journey - we reported to the UKMTO every six hours 

• Maintain radio silence 

• Use minimal lights - we used only deck-mounted navigation 

lights, no mast or steaming lights 

• Install an AIS transponder. We were tracked by the 

taskforce all the way from Suez 

• Arm yourself with knowledge and do your homework 

• Ultimately, long distance yachtsmen and women are 

adventurers and risk takers. Our lives are fraught with 

danger on a daily basis. Each individual has to assess 

whether the risk outweighs the adventure and to ensure 

every measure is taken to minimise that risk 

WINTER 2010 89

90 

We found our delightful taxi driver and good 

‘all-round bloke’, Selim, at the Victorian Prince of 

Wales pier in Tawila. It is here you land your dinghy 

on slippery steps and discuss, at great length, your 

paperwork with the local bureaucrats. Th e elegant 

columned building adjacent to the pier serves as 

the gateway to Aden for passing yachtsmen and 

women. It also serves as a gathering point for taxi 

drivers and guides. 

For a few dollars you get the standard tour, 

incorporating such highlights as the Cisterns, 

Old Aden and the Sirah Fortress. Selim prefers 

the grittier side of Aden and peppered our drives 

with potted histories, anecdotes and 

inappropriate jokes. 

He brought us to a shop in 

Crater’s market owned by his 

friend, where we drank iced 

fresh lime juice of such lip 

smacking thirst quenching 

fl avour it puts Pepsi and its rivals 

to shame. As we sat round a 

narrow plastic table, Selim 

explained how his country 

prospered under communist 

rule: women discarded the 

jilbāb, children went to school 

and work was plentiful. 

“We were happier then. 

Th e Russians sent me to 

Moscow to study engineering. 

Now we are back to the old 

ways. I drive a taxi and my 

wife wears black.” 

He demanded we eat at the 

‘Reem Tourist Restaurant’, 

which turned out to be nothing 

of the sort. It was full of locals 

(all men!) who stared and 

smiled at us. Th e kebabs 

were spicy, fresh and tender. 

He embarrassingly accepted a 

few dollars in payment at the 

end of our rides with him, 

hastily tucking the money in a 

pocket without checking it. Despite his country’s 

shortcomings Selim tries his best to be upbeat 

about life and remains one of the dearest and 

friendliest people we met throughout the rally. 

Of course, Yemen, like most Middle Eastern 

countries, is dry. But, like most Middle Eastern 

countries, if you look hard enough you will fi nd 

alcohol. Overlooking the anchorage is a dubious 


establishment called ‘Sailors Bar’ where you buy 

beer or ‘whisky’ and other spirits by the bottle. 

In a side room shady locals play cards and 

furiously smoke, occasionally glancing, poker 

faced, at the overseas patrons. Sitting on the 

water’s edge you sip your drink, while 

wisecracking girls, in the tiniest of hot pants and 

tightest of bustiers, serve your every whim. We 

were fascinated to see that even these sirens 

cover themselves from head to foot in black when 

they set foot outside the bar. 

Life was a little less interesting in Oman, but 

certainly more beautiful. In Port Salalah, where 

we were stuck for over three weeks awaiting our 

Indian visas – the system is rigged so that you 

have to use an agent. Th is has led to arbitrary 

and spurious fees being levied, with no recourse 

for the hapless yachtsman. On the positive side 

there was a good bar within walking distance 

and the beaches were untouched and 

spectacular. We were pleased to learn that 

Oman has a huge Indian workforce, resulting in 

some great restaurants delivering delicious 

no-frills curries to the workers. On the whole, 

though, Oman was dull and characterless 

compared to the other countries we had visited. 

Th ere was one memorable highpoint in Salalah, 

meeting the crew of HMS Chatham. We were 

lucky enough to be in port at 

the same time as this Royal 

Navy type 22 frigate was 

making minor repairs. Th e rally 

went on board for a talk on 

piracy and a tour of the ship, 

where we gawped at the 

weapons and coveted the 

Gatling-style gun; it would have 

fi tted nicely onto any of our 

boats. Several happy days and 

hours were spent putting the 

world to rights with the crew. 

“We gawped at the weapons and coveted 

the Gatlin g-style gun; it would have fitted 

nicely onto an y of our boats.” 

As we prepared to leave for 

the longest part of the rally, 

across the Arabian Sea to 

India, bad news arrived. Th e 

coalition’s grip of the Gulf of 

Aden was working so well that 

overnight the pirates switched 

their area of operation. Two 

piracy attacks had occurred 

off the coast of Oman, one of 

them less than 30 miles away. 

Th e UKMTO immediately 

requested that we remain in 

Salalah until they had 

investigated and ascertained 

the danger. Once again, the 

sickening fear of piracy had 

reared its head.

Cruising log for Vasco da Gama Rally 

Date From To Distance 

5/11/09 Marmaris, Turkey Port Said, Egypt 391 

11/11/09 Port Said Ismailia 40 

18/11/09 Ismailia Port Suez 46 

22/11/09 Port Suez Wadi Dome Marina 30 

23/11/09 Wadi Dome Marina Mersa Th elemet 30 

25/11/09 Mersa Th elemet Ras Sheratib 40 

26/11/09 Ras Sheratib Sheik Riyah Harbour 38 

27/11/09 Sheik Riyah Harbour Endeavour Bay 40 

29/11/09 Endeavour Bay Hurghada Marina 20 

06/01/10 Hurghada Marina Marsa Abu Makhadiq 13 

07/01/10 Marsa Abu Makhadiq Abu Soma 29 

08/01/10 Abu Soma Port Ghalib 100 

12/01/10 Port Ghalib Sharm Luli, Sudan 68 

Leg total 885 

19/01/10 Sharm Luli,Egypt Marob, Sudan 202 

22/01/10 Marob Marsa Inkeifel 91 

25/01/10 Marsa Inkeifel Suakin 114 

30/11/10 Suakin Trinkitat 44 

02/02/10 Trinkitat Khor Narawat 47 

03/02/10 Khor Narawat Massawa, Eritrea 175 

15/02/10 Massawa Ras Corali 27 

17/02/10 Ras Corali Howakil Bay 45 

19/02/10 Howakil Bay Mersa Dudo 129 

22/02/10 Mersa Dudo Sadla Island 3 

Leg total 877 

27/02/10 Sadla Island, Eritrea Eritrean/Djibouti Border 

Lat: 12 43.40N Lon: 043 07.83E 

100 

28/02/10 Eritrean/Djibouti Aden, Yemen 

Lat: 12 43.40N Lon: 043 07.83E 

110 

09/03/10 Aden Al Mukala 290 

14/03/10 Al Mukalla Salalah, Oman 350 

Leg total 850 

05/04/10 Salalah Ras al Hallaniyah 125 

07/04/10 Ras al Hallaniyah Mumbai, India 990 

26/04/10 Mumbai Jaigarh 110 

28/04/10 Jaigarh Goa 127 

04/05/10 Goa Kochi 390 

Leg total 1742 

Rally total: 4354 


USEFUL INFORMATION 

You can follow Liz and Jamie’s worldwide adventure on their website www.followtheboat.com where you will 

also fi nd more of Jamie’s photographs. Th eir popular weekly podcast is available through the website or iTunes. 

All offi cial bodies will advise yachts not to transit the 

Gulf of Aden and inform you that if you decide to sail in 

this area you do so at your own risk. Although there is no 

organisation set up to help small boats like yachts, the 

following bodies off er extensive information. Since we 

fi nished the rally MSCHOA has added a section devoted 

to yachting, including guidelines. 

MSCHOA Maritime Security Centre - Horn of Africa 

Set up by the European task force to tackle piracy in this 

area. Established the Internationally Recommended 

Transit Corridor (IRTC) Esper joined MSCHOA organisation 

to gain full access to the website. www.mschoa.org 

ICC-CCS International Chamber of Commerce: 

Commercial Crimes Service 

Go to their IMB Reporting centre for information on 

piracy and a map of piracy activity. www.icc-ccs.org 

ISAF International Sailing Federation. 

Working with the taskforce to off er advice to yachts. 

www.sailing.org 

Th e Vasco Da Gama Rally 

Th e next Rally departs India for Turkey in January 2011. 

Lo Brust, the organiser, charges a nominal sum for each 

yacht. He took away the headache of the mountains of 

paperwork and bureaucracy required in every port. 

Th e rally is really a guiding service, and Lo makes it clear 

that if you participate you must be capable of getting 

there on your own. Each skipper is reminded that he is 

100% responsible for his own vessel and the safety of 

his crew. www.vascodagamarally.nl 

Photographs: Jamie Furlong 

WINTER 2010 91

92 


OWNER REPORT – UHURU 

TO 

BARTICA 

AND BACK 

UHURU takes on the Essequibo River, Guyana. 

We left Grenada on the 1st of October having spent the 

summer ashore at Spice Island Marine, where we took full 

advantage of their excellent facilities to prepare UHURU for 

our next challenging nine-month leg – down the East Coast 

of South America, British Guyana, French Guiana, Brazil, 

Argentina, then over to the Falklands for Christmas. Before 

heading over to the Antarctic Peninsula for January and back 

up to Ushuaia, the Chilean Archipelagos, Peru, Galapagos, 

Mexico and fi nally Los Angeles, by early July. 

By Steve Powell, Oyster 62 UHURU 

WINTER 2010 93

94 


In Grenada we were joined by David ‘Botty’ Botterill, 

Olly Pettifer (my 1st Mate) and David and Tamsin Kidwell 

from Twice Eleven, a renowned and popular Oyster 435. 

We set off just as Grenada went on to Storm Watch 

status. Tropical storm ‘Otto’ was developing several 

hundred miles east of us and heading directly towards 

the Eastern Caribbean. 

One of the useful side eff ects of this was that it was 

sucking all the wind out of the Caribbean and what are 

normally steady easterlies dropped to almost no wind at 

all and fl at calm seas. So our strategy was to use this lack 

of wind and sea on the nose to motor as hard and fast 

as we could directly towards ‘Otto’, making as much east 

as we could in the process, until the wind picked up and 

we could bear away (bounce off ‘Otto’) and hopefully 

sail as close to south as possible. It became known 

onboard as the ‘Billiard Ball Strategy’. 

Well, it was a strategy that worked really well for the fi rst 

couple of days, and when the wind picked up we were 

able to get a pretty good angle on Guyana. It wasn’t 

until late on the third day that we really experienced 

wind and sea on the nose. I had hoped to reach the 

mouth of the Essequibo River at low water on the 

morning of the 4th October, but a combination of south 

southeasterly winds and a little engine trouble kept us 

tacking off shore until the morning of the 5th. 

One of our early goals on this trip was to go up the 

Essequibo River, in Guyana, to Bartica, a small mining town 

and the Guyanian gateway to the Amazon Rain Forest. 

In Chris Doyle’s latest cruising guide to Trinidad and Tobago 

he included a section on Guyana, and Simon Ward, who 

had spent a few months on the river in his 50ft sloop, 

contributed a useful report with waypoints all the way up 

to Bartica. On further inspection I realised that although the 

waypoints formed a very useful start, we would draw too 

much for a number of the sections and would have to fi nd 

our own route. We draw 2.7m (9ft ) and I always want to 

keep a minimum of 0.5m under the keel as a safety margin. 

I think his sloop drew no more than 7ft , which can make a 

very big diff erence in these waters. 

We crossed the bar (2.7m) off the mouth of the river 

about two hours aft er low water and motored through a 

relatively easy section of about 25nm to a small riverside 

boatyard at Roeden Rust, owned by Captain De Silva, 

a very aff able and knowledgeable river skipper. He had 

arranged 150 gallons of diesel to be waiting for us when 

we arrived and the next morning spent a good hour 

talking us through what to expect as we went up river. 

Aft er refuelling and spending a comfortable night in 

Roeden Rust we prepared to set out as the tide started 

to fl ood. Th en we encountered the fi rst challenge of 

the day, our stern anchor had set hard in very sticky 

mud, and it is a big heavy Danforth. Try as we might we 

OWNER REPORT – UHURU 

“All the time we were slipping along beside 

beautiful, lush rain forest jungle and palm trees, 

oft en no more than 30 feet away. Small fast, 

colourful high-bowed boats charged up and 

down the river, all intrigued with our slow and 

oft en meandering progress.” 

struggled to get it out, we tried several of the methods 

recommended in those ‘yachty mags’ where it’s all done 

in text book fashion, in a marina, and nothing goes 

wrong. Well, I can tell you with a 3-4 knot tide running 

up a fast river, nothing goes ‘text book’! 

We eventually managed to shift it but by this time we 

were a little behind schedule and I had a very muddy 

and slightly bruised crew (ego as well as physically). 

Our trip upriver was tense, I was on the helm for about 

seven hours straight, what with shift ing mud banks, 

narrow channels, brutal tidal fl ow and inaccurate charts, 

it all made for exciting times. But we were egged on by the 

certain knowledge that we are the biggest, (deepest draft ) 

modern sailboat to come up here, and the enthusiastic 

waves we got from local fi shermen tended to confi rm it. 

All the time we were slipping along beside beautiful lush 

rain forest jungle and palm trees, oft en no more than 

30 feet away. Every now and then we’d come across a 

clearing with a small farm or, on one occasion, a school. 

Small fast, colourful high-bowed boats charged up and 

down the river, all intrigued with our slow and oft en 

meandering progress. 

Although we had prepared everything right on this leg, 

and we had it all going for us – spring tides, going up on a 

rising tide, etc. when our depth dropped to just 0.4m while 

WINTER 2010 95

96 

“Had we run aground hard we would have 

probably had to wait for the next Spring tides. 

I suspect the crew would have all had a little 

sense of humour failure at that moment.” 

crossing a bar that wasn’t supposed to be there, all hearts 

stopped for a moment. I did some rapid reversing and 

manoeuvering, eventually managing to fi nd a path through, 

but I don’t think I took a breath for a good fi ve minutes! 

I’ve run aground many times in my little race boat, E’Tu 

and even, I confess, a couple of times in UHURU, 

sand/mud banks etc. and as long as you’re not going 

too fast and are prepared for it, it’s not normally a major 

problem. But half way up a rain forest river in Guyana, 

at the top of spring tides with a 3-4 knot tide running, 

that’s a diff erent ball game. Had we run aground hard 

we would have probably had to wait for the next Spring 

tides. I suspect the crew would have all had a little sense 

of humour failure at that moment. 

If I did it again I wouldn’t do it at Spring tides, although 

it does give you a little extra water at high tide, the 

downside of increased tidal fl ow and a potentially very 

long wait if you do go aground outweigh the benefi ts. 

Th e biggest challenge was the mental one of constantly 

trying to divine what was really happening under this 

fast fl owing muddy water just from our depth sounder. 

I used the tried and tested method of sailing into a 

shallow then bearing away into deeper water until you 

again hit shallow water, this helps defi ne the channel. 

But when shallows suddenly loom at you where they 

have no right to be, it makes it very diffi cult. In the 

end I spent the whole time trying to extrapolate from 

inaccurate charts, depth sounder info, and Mark One 

Eyeball where we were and what was ‘likely’ to happen 

next. I was exhausted by the time we arrived. 


We had a number of other ‘tight squeezes’, but all in 

areas that we expected shallow water. I managed to 

realign our chart plotter fairly accurately using local 

landmarks and paper charts as the reference. So as 

we progressed we became more and more confi dent. 

We arrived in Bartica at sunset, the last section a nasty 

tight little run through rocks known as ‘Rattlesnake Rocks’, 

which might give you an idea of the course we had to 

take. Finding the only piece of ‘deepish’ water we could 

safely anchor in was just off the commercial dock where 

the riverboats take gold, diamonds and people up and 

down the river, we settled down for a G&T. Job done! 

I am not going to bore you with the detail of our return 

down river, as it was a repeat of the same without too 

much drama. And I am not going to bore you with tales 

of Bartica because to be honest we didn’t have enough 

time to really go exploring, but it is a very vibrant, busy, 

mining town and the gateway to the interior. You wouldn’t 

necessarily want to spend your summer holidays here, 

but it had a lot of charm, and they take a lot of pride 

in the ‘melting pot’ nature of the racial mix here. 

We spoke with a number of locals about ‘life, the 

universe and everything’ and they were nothing but 

charming and helpful. In fact I spent a charming hour 

or two on UHURU with the Head of CID, Th e Head of 

Immigration, the Chief Customs Offi cer, Th e Chief of 

Police, and two other various ‘offi cers’, all onboard to 

check that I didn’t have any drugs or contraband. 

But it soon became very obvious all they wanted to do 

was sit on the boat and drink my precious tonic water. 

Th ey took pictures of themselves at the chart table, 

wandered around and asked questions about all the toys, 

and generally had a lot of fun. Th ey all confi rmed that we 

were the biggest boat they’d seen in Bartica, and loved the 

fact that we were on our way to Antarctica, via Bartica. 

To be absolutely honest, the adventure for us was the 

journey and it was very special. 

Photos: Steve Powell

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WINTER 2010 97

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DESTINATION HONG KONG 

When you think of Hong Kong, what pops into your mind? An iconic harbour, high-rise 

skyline, can-do attitude, busy Blade Runner streetscapes, dim sum and sailing junks, 

perhaps. You’d be right. One of the most exciting cities in Asia, with world-class shopping, 

dining and entertainment, Hong Kong does 'urban' extraordinarily well. 

BY BART KIMMAN

Th ere’s another side to Hong Kong. 

Surprising to visitors and cherished by 

residents are the beautiful seascapes. 

Looking like a cross between the west coast of 

Scotland and Australia’s Whitsunday Islands, 

it remains unmistakably Chinese as the morning 

mist lift s across layer upon layer of rugged green 

mountains. With 236 islands studded with 

golden beaches and set in jade seas, these are 

stunning cruising grounds, and a watery release 

valve for Hong Kong’s seven million residents. 

Th e territory is divided into four main areas: 

Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, the New Territories 

and the Outlying Islands. At its heart lies dramatic 

Victoria Harbour, splitting the city in two, with 

Hong Kong Island to the south and urban Kowloon 

to the north. Beyond Kowloon, between the 

Nine Dragons mountains and China, is the 

New Territories. And surrounding the whole 

lot are the Outlying Islands. 


With a subtropical climate, calm waters and little 

tidal drop, the sailing is easy. Hazards are few 

and all those islands protect the cruising grounds 

from big swells. Outside the harbour, you can 

anchor almost anywhere you like for as long as 

you want, hassle-free. Alternatively dock at one 

of the yacht clubs, most of which have pools, 

restaurants, boatyard facilities and visitors’ 

moorings or berths. And, of course, friendly 

bars for spinning a yarn with fellow yachties. 

Th e yacht clubs are spread throughout the 

territory, close to the best cruising grounds. 

The Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club, in the 

western New Territories, is conveniently located 

for access to Hong Kong International Airport 

and the long beaches of Lantau Island. It’s the 

only yacht club with typhoon-proof berths for 

superyachts, several of which are reserved for 

visitors. Th e Gold Coast is also home to Oyster 

Marine Representative, Asia Yacht Services, who 

off er a full range of services for boat owners, 

including top-quality repairs and maintenance 

and yacht management services. 

Above: Mark Talbot's, Oyster 46 Tigress anchored off Crooked Island, Hong Kong 

Asia Yacht Services can organize immigration 

and Marine Department formalities for visiting 

yachts, including registration and entry/exit 

permits. Formalities are fairly relaxed, but you 

do need to make sure your papers are in order. 

For most nationalities, visas can be granted on 

arrival. And there are no corruption issues – 

Hong Kong has the reputation for being one of the 

'cleanest' cities in Asia thanks to the Independent 

Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). 

Aft er weeks or months cruising around Asia, 

many visiting boats need some maintenance. 

Hong Kong has an excellent reputation for the 

quality of its marine servicing, with plenty of 

experienced boatyards and ready access to 

spares for repairs or even refi ts. Asia Yacht 

Services has a well-equipped yard that can 

lift boats of up to 50 tons, or 70ft LOA, with 

associated shipyards for larger yachts. 

It’s no surprise that one of the world’s busiest 

ports has an active sailing community. As well 

as a packed racing-series calendar, there are 

WINTER 2010 99

100 

several off shore events where you may be 

able to put your Oyster to the test. One of the 

biggest is the 480nm San Fernando Race from 

Hong Kong to the Philippines in April, organized 

by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC; 

the only institution in the city that voted to retain 

its 'Royal' moniker aft er the 1997 handover to 

China). Th e RHKYC also organizes races to 

Macau and back in February and May, and the 

China Coast Regatta in October. Staying within 

local waters is the club’s famous Around the 

Island Race, the biggest and most inclusive on 

the calendar, held in November. But the most 

challenging local event is the Aberdeen Boat Club’s 

Four Peaks Race, a gruelling overnight sailing and 

mountain-running combo held in January. 

For most visiting sailors, the big attraction is easy 

cruising in accurately charted waters. Th e most 

popular areas are around Lantau, Lamma Island 

and the southside of Hong Kong Island, and Sai 

Kung, on the eastern side of the New Territories. 

Th e long beaches in the country park on the 

southside of Lantau Island are a magnet for 


weekend leisure junks. Call in at the Chinese 

fi shing villages on the islands of Cheung Chau 

and Peng Chau – no cars allowed – and amble 

down the backstreets, or stop for seafood. 

At night, anchor off Hong Kong Disneyland for 

the nightly fi reworks display – a wonderful 

backdrop to a meal onboard. And keep an eye 

out for Hong Kong’s famous pink dolphins, the 

“national” animal and a truly astonishing sight. 

A string of lovely beaches on the south side of 

Hong Kong Island are popular anchorages, with 

moorings and yacht club facilities at Middle 

Island between Repulse and Deep Water bays. 

Cross the busy Lamma Channel to the beaches 

of Lamma Island, where green turtles are known 

to nest, then feast on the freshest Cantonese 

seafood at a string of restaurants in the village of 

Sok Kwu Wan. Pick a fi sh from a tank, and have 

it served up steaming hot and laden with ginger 

and spring onion minutes later. Alternatively, 

head to quiet Po Toi, an island off Stanley, with a 

small beach and an excellent seafood restaurant 

(make sure you try the black-pepper prawns). 

Above: Big Buddha – the tallest outdoor, bronze Buddha on the planet. 

Sai Kung is known locally as 'the garden of 

Hong Kong', thanks to its large country park 

and spectacular coastline. Th e calm waters 

of Port Shelter feature several little beaches 

popular with local sailors, and further afi eld lie 

the long and oft en deserted sweeps of beach at 

Tai Long Wan. Th e area has recently been anointed 

a Geopark in an eff ort to conserve its magnifi cent 

rock formations, including caves and arches that 

are navigable by kayak, and one of the world’s 

largest collections of hexagonal columns (very 

similar to the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland). 

Th e Marine Park at Hoi Ha features a surprising 

array of coral and marine life for divers – 

Hong Kong has more than 100 species of coral 

and 300 species of fi sh. 

To truly get away from it all, head north to the 

serene and usually empty waters of Double 

Haven, which can be reached only by foot 

– or by your Oyster!

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

TOP 10 ATTRACTIONS 


THE PEAK. Th e iconic view across the city from the highest point on Hong Kong 

Island is a must-see. Pick a clear day and catch the Peak Tram from Central for a 

10-minute trip on the world’s steepest funicular railway. 

BIG BUDDHA. Th e tallest, seated, outdoor bronze Buddha statue on the planet 

gazes serenely across Lantau Island. 

VICTORIA HARBOUR. Th e glittering heart of Hong Kong, best viewed from the 

deck of your Oyster. Go at 8pm, when lasers dance across the skyline nightly for 

the world’s biggest son et lumière display, the Symphony of Lights. 

NGONG PING 360. A fascinating 20-minute cable car trip that off ers amazing views 

of Hong Kong International Airport before passing over the spine of Lantau Island to the 

feet of the Big Buddha. 

WONG TAI SIN TEMPLE. Have your fortune told in this 18,000-square-foot 

temple complex that serves Hong Kong’s three major religions: Taoism, Buddhism 

and Confucianism. 

STANLEY MARKET. Packed with fashion, paintings, antiques and trinkets, with a 

seafront strip of bars and restaurants ready to perk you up aft er you’ve shopped till 

you’re ready to drop. 

DIM SUM. Literally translated as 'little pieces of the heart', this morning institution 

is the best meal of the day. Traditionally served by ladies pushing trolleys through 

packed restaurants, order as many of the dumplings and other little dishes as you 

want. Always eaten with tea. 

HOLLYWOOD ROAD. 'Antique Street' is like a museum with price tags. Browse 

the Ming furniture, Mandarin robes, ancient Chinese ceramics and junk-store fi nds. 

Th en meander up the hill to the restaurants of SoHo to take a break. 

RACING AT HAPPY VALLEY. It’s not every day you see a racecourse surrounded 

by skyscrapers. Join the throng trackside to cheer your horse down the home 

straight, or book into a box for a taste of the high life. 

THE DRAGON’S BACK. Voted Asia’s best urban hike by TIME Magazine, the 

Dragon’s Back is an 8.5km trail through bamboo forests and past gurgling streams 

along the spine of Hong Kong Island. Just 20 minutes and a world away from the city. 

WHEN TO GO 

Hong Kong has a subtropical climate with distinct 

seasons, and can be aff ected by typhoons from 

May-November. Autumn (October-December) 

is the best time to visit, with pleasantly warm 

temperatures, low humidity and plenty of sunshine. 

Winter (January-March) is cool, dry and cloudy. 

Spring (April-June) is humid and oft en wet. Summer 

(July-September) is hot and humid with occasional 

thunderstorms and temperatures hovering around 

30ºC. For up-to-date forecasts and marine 

meteorological services, visit the Hong Kong 

Observatory website: www.hko.gov.hk. 

YACHT CLUBS 

GOLD COAST YACHT AND COUNTRY CLUB 

Full-service yacht club, with typhoon-proof berths 

for superyachts and smaller boats (including visitor's 

berths). Facilities include pool, restaurants, spa, 

on-site hotel, boatyard. 

1 Castle Peak Road 

Castle Peak Bay 

New Territories 

Hong Kong 

OYSTER'S REPRESENTATIVE IN ASIA 

BART KIMMAN 

Above left : Hong Kong Ting Kau Bridge 

Above right: Sai Kung – the garden of Hong Kong 

Tel: (852) 2404 3257 

Fax : (852) 2457 8940 

Email: info@goldcoastclub.com.hk 

Web: www.goldcoastclub.com.hk 

Asia Yacht Services Limited 

Gold Coast Yacht and Country Club 

1 Castle Peak Road 

New Territories 

Hong Kong 

Tel: (852) 2815 0404 

Email: bart.kimman@oystermarine.hk 

WINTER 2010 101

102 

Whilst meandering along the 

Turkish coast from Antalya in 

the Eastern Mediterranean to 

Istanbul (with incursions into 

the Black Sea) my wife Doreen 

and I agreed, without a second’s 

hesitation, that we have loved 

every minute of the three years 

we have spent sailing these 

warm waters. 


TURKISH DELIGHT 

BY BRIAN LONG, 

OYSTER 56, Chinook 

To avoid the heat and crowds of summer, our 

sailing adventures have been enjoyed during 

the spring and autumn seasons as we eased 

our way, without a schedule, along one of the 

most benign coastlines in the world. Stopping 

in places like Kusedasi, Fethiye, Kemer, Izmir, 

Cesme plus the popular sailing Meccas of 

Marmaris and Bodrum. 

Turkey is a beautiful country with lovely people 

and a fabulous southern coastline studded 

with historic remnants of ancient civilizations. 

Monuments like Ephesus, Hadrian’s Gate and 

the wonderful outdoor concert hall, built in the 

5th Century called Aspendos and a great many 

more, too numerous to mention. 

Our latest sojourn in spring 2010 started by 

dropping Chinook back into the water in 

Ayvalik and hoisting the sails, before pointing 

towards Istanbul and the Black Sea, passing 

through the Dardanelles to the Sea of Marmaris 

and the Bosphorus. 

Th e Island of Bozcaada has stood guard over the 

entrance to the Dardanelles for centuries, but is 

now noted more as a tourist destination than a 

military outpost and people arrive in droves 

from ferries to inhabit the many fi sh restaurants 

in the town of the same name. 

Manoeuvring very carefully to avoid the 

swimmers in the pristine waters of the bay, 

Doreen dropped the anchor as I backed up to 

the dock and tied up. Zipping out the hydraulic 

passerelle I stepped ashore to connect the 

power and take a look around. 

Bozcaada is a great place to explore, a pretty 

old town surrounding the bay, charming old 

hotels and a restored Venetian fortress rising 

up high over the sea, providing wonderful 

panoramic views. It’s an easy, pleasant place 

to relax in and enjoy the local wine. 

We were reminded of the strategic military 

value of the area when, just outside the entrance 

to the Dardanelles, what appeared at fi rst sight 

to be a small rock standing just above the water 

materialised ominously into a Turkish Navy 

submarine! At the time we had no inkling that 

another interesting encounter with a naval 

vessel would occur sometime later. 

Our pilot book contained stern warnings about 

the shallows in the south entrance area to the 

Dardanelles advising of considerable silting, 

so we followed the sub into the channel but it 

soon pulled away from us at a good pace as 

we passed the ancient cities of Troy on our 

starboard side.

Once inside the Sea of Marmara we decided 

to visit Karagbiga on the south coast before 

threading our way through the astonishing 

beauty of the Adasis of Trumeili and Pasalilmani 

with the tricky shallow entrance between a tiny 

island and the picturesque mini Pasha Harbour. 

Th en on to Marmara Adasi, the largest island in 

the sea, famous for its white marble quarried 

from the north side of the island. 

Many of the best views of the most famous 

landmarks in Istanbul are from the water and 

motoring up the Bosphorus, where all forms 

of sailing are prohibited, provides photogenic 

angles of the Topkapi Palace, the Blue Mosque 

and Dolmabache Palace. 

Th ere are scores of vessels large and small 

crossing east and west, as well as container 

ships transiting the Bosphorus north and south, 

so the entrance is not a place for the faint 

hearted in holiday season. Innumerable ferries 

crisscross the entrance from the Golden Horn 

to the tourist areas on the Asian side and are 

too fast and too many to attempt picking a 

way through them, so gambling that no ferry 

skipper wanted the sinking of a Canadian 

fl agged Oyster 56 on his resumé and 

OWNER REPORT – BRIAN LONG 

possessed the skills to avoid us, I held my 

course and 3-knot speed! 

We stopped at a port just inside the Black Sea 

on the European side called Rumeli Feneri, 

which was jammed tightly with fi shing boats: 

we were a bit apprehensive about fi shy smells 

surrounding us all night and almost left again, 

until beckoned by a worker to tie alongside 

him, where we nestled, raft ed four deep. 

But there were no odours at all as the fi shing 

boats there were being refi tted and repaired 

and none were actively involved in fi shing. 

Th is is a point of entry into Turkey and it wasn’t 

long before a casually dressed offi cial dropped 

by asking for our papers and collecting 20 Lire 

from our kitty. 

Early next morning saw us heading east along 

the rarely sailed north coast of Turkey towards 

Sile, about 45 miles distant, motoring smartly 

across the North and South Traffi c Separation 

lines at the Bosphorus entrance, which 

were busy in both directions. A light wind 

came from the north east and the ever 

present swell we’d heard of was evident 

and uncomfortable, but we managed about 

5 knots, sailing just off the wind for a few hours 

until it died and our faithful Yanmar kicked in to 

help our progress. 

As we were motoring I decided to ease further 

north until the wind strengthened, as this would 

give us a better angle to make the entrance to 

the marina, and just before tacking we passed 

close to a fl eet of four or fi ve smaller fi shing 

boats; although no dive fl ag was visible, several 

of the crew wore wet suits and one jumped into 

the water. As we exchanged friendly waves we 

wondered what they were doing, speculating 

net-tangling problems were being attended to. 

Our south east tack was much smoother and 

with fresher winds we made good time 

approaching the breakwater and entrance 

to the marina, which was located on the east 

Pictures (from left to right): 

• View from the Castle on Bozcaada 

• Beach scene in the Black Sea 

• Tourist tram on Istikalal Ave Istanbul 

• Th e Oyster 56, Chinook in full sail 

• Canakalle 

• Fortress at Bozcaada 

• Rumeli Feneri at the entrance to the Bosphorus 

from the Black Sea 

WINTER 2010 103

104 

side of a large bay, with a sandy beach covered 

with red and yellow umbrellas shading the bathers 

as we negotiated the sheltered entrance with 

extreme caution. 

Our pilot book is several years old and had 

warned of silting at the entrance three to fi ve 

metres inside so we inched our way in, testing 

my nerve with the depth fi nder showing less 

than a metre under the keel at one point and 

I held my breath for several seconds. Once 

inside there seemed to be lots of room in the 

deeper water alongside the town dock in front 

of a pretty fi sh restaurant and a sailor stepped 

off a nearby fi shing boat, welcoming us with a 

smile and taking our lines. For the umpteenth 

time I thanked Chinook’s shoal keel for keeping 

us off the bottom. 

Th at aft ernoon we strolled along the waterfront to 

the sandy bay, which was covered with hundreds 

of bathers enjoying 29ºC water temperatures, 

where we relaxed in a café with shade umbrellas, 

cold Eff es and free WiFi. Th at evening the fi shing 

fl eet returned and we realized we had taken their 

spot on the dock, which didn’t seem to bother 

them as they raft ed up to unload their catch. 

Bright orange net sacks containing what 

looked like small conch shells were tossed on 

the dock, and we realized this was the fl eet 

we had seen earlier and the men were divers 

rather than fi shermen. Th eir boats equipped 

with compressors and generators. 

A large refrigerated truck arrived with a set of 

scales, they weighed dozens of sacks of shells, 

loaded them and drove off . One of the divers 

spoke English and responding to our curiosity 

explained they were a popular snail delicacy 

Pictures (from left to right): 

• Raising the anchor at dawn on Marmara Adasi 

• Loading the catapult 

• Doreen and Brian, Canakalle 

• Th e lovely Chinook in Yavlova’s marina 


of Helix Lucorum found only in the Black Sea 

and exported mainly to France. Th ey’d be out 

diving again the next day. 

Around the wide north entrance to the Bosphorus 

on the Asian side, are numerous vacation towns 

and villages with lots of beaches and crowds of 

people enjoying the sun in all forms: campers in 

tents, motor homes and vacation apartments 

and we dropped into Poraz on the east bank 

on our return to Istanbul. 

Our chart showed a mole and fi nger-piers well 

sheltered from the fast-running currents. When 

we arrived it was full of trippers from Istanbul 

and dozens of small craft were anchored in 

the bay adjacent to the marina. Th e main dock 

was full of fi shing vessels of all sizes and again, 

it seemed to be a major refi t/repair facility, 

but with a nice beach. As we crept into the bay, 

swimmers appeared oblivious to us, we dropped 

anchor behind a large gulet and fell back near a 

cardinal type marker warning of rocks near the 

shore. Local lads full of testosterone were using 

the buoy as a catapult, launching themselves 

in the air in a really novel way. It was great 

entertainment for participants and spectators 

alike and when they saw my camera they really 

hammed it up. 

Early next morning Doreen raised the anchor 

and we slipped out of the bay heading south 

with the current towards Istanbul and a date 

with the carpet salesmen at the world famous 

Grand Bazaar. 

About a dozen miles from the Golden Horn 

at the south end of the Bosphorus lay the 

charming Princes Islands, well inhabited, with 

tourists and gorgeous holiday homes nestled 

in the hills, there’s a distinctly European feel 

to them. We’d heard of a shortness of marina 

space around Istanbul but aft er spending a 

few days among the four main islands and two 

smaller ones, we learned what tight anchoring 

is all about, from people whose daily lives 

are spent in close proximity to the rest of the 

13 million inhabitants of Istanbul. 

At the south end of the Island of Heybaliada is 

a large bay and apparently there’s no translation 

for the phrase ‘Swing Room’. Th e mixture of large 

and small power and sail craft are separated 

pretty much by hope and a prayer. Surprisingly 

this seemed to work well enough as we witnessed 

no problems that a heft y push didn’t solve quickly 

and amicably. But by nightfall only a handful of 

boats remained to enjoy the relative quiet and 

solitude of well-sheltered anchorage. 

Th ere were rumours of a new marina opening 

in a town called Yalova, so we decided to sail in 

that direction. Almost fully operational but not 

yet offi cially open, the Setur-operated marina 

off ered Chinook a complimentary slip and we 

walked ashore to Yalova which was jumping. 

We experienced great food and atmosphere 

here with crowded pedestrian seaside boulevards 

surfaced in decorative paving stones, lots of 

cafés and fi sh restaurants, which we visited, 

where the food was tasty and very inexpensive. 

We liked Yavlova very much! 

Th ere was no wind as we made our way to 

Pendik just a few miles from the entrance to the 

Bosphorus where a new marina had opened just 

last year. We were motoring slowly the 12 miles 

or so hoping for a breeze and a nice push but 

typically the winds here are light in the mornings, 

freshening in the aft ernoon, probably whipping 

up 15 knots as we were docking just to make 

it interesting. 

It was then that we were intercepted by the 

Turkish Coast Guard! I saw them approaching at 

high speed at an intercept angle as we listened 

to the radio... Th e Commitments – Mustang Sally 

– not the VHF! Th ey swooped across our bow, 

turning sharply in front of us with some skill, 

almost colliding and leaving us wallowing in 

their wash, in neutral. Grabbing the handheld 

VHF I hailed them on 16 and they responded 

immediately in perfect English with instructions 

to switch to channel zero eight.

“Chinook, do you see the Warship off your 

stern quarter?” Looking back I could see the 

vessel a mile or so off and acknowledged. 

“Yes I see it”. 

“Chinook you are not to pass in front of the 

warship”. 

“OK. I am on passage to Pendik does that 

confl ict with the warship?” 

“Chinook, you must steer 270 degrees” 

(we were steering 354 at the time of intercept). 

“That’s a Roger. Steering 270 over”. 

Shortly aft er: 

“Chinook you must follow us”. 

“Roger that, following your vessel”. 

We followed them on a zigzag course at about 

six knots for some time as the warship closed 

and it became clear she was patrolling in front 

of the major port of Tuzla, which is part of 

Istanbul and only a mile or so across the bay 

from Pendik Marina. 

“Chinook turn left and maintain at least one 

mile from the warship”. 

“Roger, turning left, what course? 

“Chinook”. (Something unintelligible) 

“Say again”. 

“Do you understand?” 

“No! Say again”. 

Muttering then silence. 

Th e warship was cruising in a grid pattern back 

and forth sometimes approaching us then turning 

away in the opposite direction and we continued 

to follow the coast guard, skirting the fringes of 

the warship’s manoeuvres in a wide circle. 

“Chinook”, “Captain, you may resume your 

course to Pendik now”. 

“That’s a Roger, resuming course”. 

“Coastguard Coastguard – Chinook Chinook” 

“steering 27 degrees” “Standing by on zero 

eight and on one six”. 

“Chinook” “OK have a good day”. 

OWNER REPORT – BRIAN LONG 

And the drama was over! Th e Turkish military’s 

charming shyness to photography is well known 

and because we were being watched very 

carefully, I resisted the temptation of pointing my 

camera or anything else in their direction. Later 

we enjoyed a chilled glass of white wine and a 

cheese plate at a beautiful, Italian-style café with 

large shade umbrellas and comfortable couches; 

it was 29ºC, clear and sunny with Turkish jazz 

playing soft ly in the background, overlooking 

the marina and the loft y Minaret towers of 

downtown Istanbul. 

We casually pondered the reason for such high 

security in the Tuzla bay area, obviously there 

was something very special about the shipyards 

next to the marina, but it was some time later 

that we learned the Oyster Superyachts are 

being built right there! 

We now know these two Super Oysters and 

the two more in design stage are very special 

vessels with new high tech hull fabrication 

processes, which are a very good reason for 

secrecy. We are aware of the exceptional 

powers of persuasion and infl uence of Oyster 

but quite how the apparent enlistment of the 

Turkish Navy and Coastguard for Oyster 

Superyacht security purposes is a mystery! 

Chinook is hibernating in Ataturk Marina in 

Istanbul this winter so we’ll return next spring to 

awaken her and are looking forward to a special 

tour of the Oyster Superyacht facility in Tuzla, 

arranged by Liz Whitman, where 100/01 will be 

in the water and 100/2, 100/3 and 125/01 will 

be in-build. 

Istanbul Park is the site of the Turkish Grand Prix, 

which is located just a few kilometres from the 

Shipyard and as avid FI fans we are excited to 

be able to take in the Race whilst in the area. 

It’s not without a tinge of regret that we realize 

our time in Turkey is coming to an end, as next 

spring we’ll begin making our way out of the 

Mediterranean, catching a few of the Greek 

Islands we’d missed earlier and heading south 

west, stopping at a couple of ports in Tunisia. 

We then plan to sail down the coast of West 

Africa to the Cape Verde Islands, before the 

long crossing of the Atlantic to the Caribbean 

to join the Oyster World Rally fl eet by January 

2013, for the fi rst leg through the Panama Canal 

and on to Papieti in Tahiti. 

USEFUL INFORMATION 

FOR SAILING IN TURKEY 

CRUISING INFORMATION: 

For all details relating to cruising in Turkey, 

including entry requirements, clearance 

and immigration, go to the excellent 

Noonsite website at: www.noonsite.com 

CRUISING GUIDES: 

Turkish Waters and Cyprus Pilot 

By Rod Heikell 

Publisher: Imray 

Turkey Cruising Companion: 

A Yachtsman’s Pilot and Cruising Guide to 

the Ports and Harbours from the Cesme 

Peninsula to Antalya: Izmir to Anatalya 

By Emma Watson 

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons 

WEATHER: 

Weather forecasts from Antalya every 

3 hours available in summer time on 

VHF Chanel 67 

www.meteor.gov.tr 

TOURIST INFORMATION: 

www.tourismturkey.org 

WINTER 2010 105

106 

On their way... 

Oyster 56 Sulana 

An Oyster 56 built for newly retired Managing 

Director, Alan Brook and his wife Sue, was 

never going to be anything other than a very 

special yacht. 

With Alan’s 33 years of Oyster yacht building 

experience, it is no surprise that Sulana, built 

at Landamores, features many clever ideas and 

extra touches that maximise stowage space 

and will make the boat as comfortable as 

possible to live aboard and confi rms what many 

of us already guessed, that Alan has in fact been 

day-dreaming about this boat for decades! 

Th e crown-cut teak joinery, complete with 

custom teak saloon table and teak mast cover 

complete Sulana’s stunning interior. 

Alan’s previous ‘keep it simple’ approach to 

electronics is demonstrated in the remote control 

autopilot, four Raymarine Graphic displays, 

Lifetag system, two VHF radios, two GPS systems, 

Navtex, bank of E series displays, Active Radar 

Refl ector, SSB radio, two TVs (one with mirrored 

fi nish), touch-screen DVDs, iPod docks, laptop 

and fi xed computer installation, and dimmable 

LED lights throughout. Oh... and the two satellite 

phone systems that will ensure he’s always able 

to stay in touch with Oyster Aft er Sales! 

Sulana joined the fl eet of 18 Oysters taking 

part in the 2010 ARC. Aft er cruising the 

Caribbean she is expected to lead the fl eet 

at the Oyster Grenada Regatta in April. 

Oyster 575 Boarding Pass III 

Boarding Pass III was handed over to owner 

Bill Munro in the summer. Bill and his partner Susan 

were joined by their Project Manager, Nigel Leamon, 

for the passage down the coast from Oyster’s Ipswich 

headquarters, before they departed UK waters to join 

Oyster’s Jubilee Regatta in Porto Cervo, Sardinia. 

An overall result of 2nd in Class 2 was a fantastic result 

in their fi rst regatta. 

Bill commented ”We are keeping Boarding Pass III in 

Malta for the winter, partly because we can fl y direct 

from Scotland on Wednesday and Saturday making a 

long weekend on board a realistic possibility. 

We intend to cruise/charter our 575 in the Eastern 

Med next summer season then take in next year’s 


Oyster Regatta in Palma on route to Las Palmas 

for the 2011 ARC. We will most likely bring 

Boarding Pass back to the Med for the 

2012 summer season and then return to the 

Caribbean with the 2012 ARC. We are still 

interested in joining Oyster’s 2013 Round the 

World Rally. We are enjoying the yacht very 

much and, although not fully retired yet, we’re 

planning to spend a lot of time on board going 

forward. We are fi nding that a yacht of this 

size certainly eats up the miles in comfort and 

is exceptionally easy to handle by only Susan 

and myself. We are hoping to discover lots of 

out-of-the-way places as our new 575 will 

open up many new horizons for us to explore.” 

Oyster 575 Can Do Too 

Can Do Too was handed over to CAN Holdings 

and Mike Freeman in August and is named aft er 

Mike’s business and personal ethos of having a 

‘Can Do’ attitude to life. Can Do Too is the fi rst 

Oyster 575 fi tted with a performance carbon rig 

complete with an Oceanfurl inboom system, and 

with her dark blue hull and gold lines she has a 

really striking appearance on the water. 

CAN Holdings also own an Oyster 46 called 

Can Do, which is currently based in the Med. 

Mike’s plan for the future is for the 46 to be 

based on the West Coast of Scotland and his 

new 575 to be based in the Med aft er she has 

completed her fi rst year’s season in the Caribbean. 

We look forward to seeing Mike and Can Do Too 

take part in the Grenada regatta.

ON THEIR WAY 

Oyster 56 Enjoy Life 

Recently launched Oysters 

Lars Johansson took delivery of his new Oyster 56, 

Enjoy Life, in August and she is, by far, the most 

highly specifi ed example of an Oyster 56 to date. 

She mixes the traditional with the contemporary 

both on deck and below and has an increasingly 

rare, classic teak interior along with sumptuous 

leather upholstery combined with an array of state 

of the art audio-visual equipment. 

On deck she looks resplendent with her Awlgrip 

Blue hull and full hydraulically-controlled sail plan. 

She is fully equipped for Scandinavian cruising with 

a custom stern anchor installation and teak bow 

platform with boarding ladder. 

Enjoy Life will begin her adventure in Scandinavia 

before heading south to the Mediterranean next 

year. She was certainly in good hands on her 

maiden voyage to Sweden, being skippered by 

renowned yachtsman Magnus Olsson, who has 

six Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Races under his belt 

– he will certainly have found the luxurious comfort 

on board this Oyster 56 a little diff erent! 

Oyster 54 Pearl of Persia 

Th e new Oyster 54, Pearl of Persia was on show 

at the Southampton Boat Show earlier this year. 

Finished in Maple with tan upholstery she looks 

really stunning below deck. New owners Andrew 

and Sussanne Lock are delighted with their new 

yacht and the experience of building her has far 

exceeded their expectations. Andrew commented 

“After launch we made for Jersey and spent an 

enjoyable month getting to know the boat and 

the tides around the Channel Islands. She is now 

in Lymington for the winter where we hope to do 

a little winter sailing, weather permitting, and 

Oyster 655 Neki 

Th e new Oyster 655 Neki, which means ‘nobility’ 

in Hindu, was shown at this year’s Southampton 

Boat Show before handover to her American 

owner John Noble. She has joined the fl eet of 

18 Oysters in this year’s ARC. Neki will have an 

offi cial launch party in the Caribbean on Boxing 

Day during a family cruise with John’s wife Anji 

and young family on board. 

Owner Lars Johansson commented ”Enjoy Life 

is now well tucked in for the winter here in 

Stockholm. Next May or June, we will sail her via 

Southampton down to Cannes and the Med. 

A colleague of mine, John McMonigall just 

mentioned he has ordered a new Oyster 575, 

which he will keep in Southampton, so I may race 

him once or twice before I continue further south. 

We will then keep her in the Med for three or four 

years. If work permits, we may take a break from 

the Med after a year or two to sail to Spitsbergen 

and the Norwegian fjords. Once we have explored 

the Med, we will take her to the Caribbean for 

three or four years, and when I am properly retired, 

and everything else permitting, we plan to do the 

Pacifi c, and maybe Antarctica. So we keep the 

post-delivery dreams alive. We are very pleased 

with her and we really look forward to spending 

more time onboard.” 

then explore northern waters for much of next 

summer, possibly heading for Ireland, before 

sailing her into the Med next autumn, and 

spending much of 2012 around Greece and 

Turkey. The likely plans are to join the ARC 2012 

to take her over to the Caribbean and then 

most likely, and very tempting, join the Oyster 

Round the World Rally, leaving January 2013. 

As Sussanne is not keen to do the long transits, 

but more than happy to join at the destinations, 

I expect friends (old ones and those I haven’t 

met yet) will make up the crew.” 

Oyster 46 Juno 

Oyster 46/25 Juno was recently handed 

over to her new owner. Following a few 

weeks of sea trials around the UK, Juno set 

sail for her new homeport of Malta. She is 

fi tted out in teak with cream upholstery giving 

her a luxurious yet traditional feel below deck. 

WINTER 2010 107

108 

One Brand. 

One Solution. 

From stem to stern, Lewmar has you covered. At Lewmar, it all 

starts with innovation. We continually explore new ways to increase 

strength, save weight and more than anything — make boaters’ 

and boat builders’ lives easier. That’s why everyday sailors, 

powerboat owners, fishermen and elite racers alike have been 

turning to us since 1946. Visit www.lewmar.com for details. 

UK +44 (0)23 9247 1841 USA +1 203 458 6200 France +33 5 46 50 50 46 

Netherlands +31 (0)38 427 34 90 Taiwan +886 2 2618 5041 Italy +39 02 2699 111 

info@lewmar.com 


Anchor | Hatch & Portlight | NAVTEC ® Rigging | Sail Control | Steering | Thruster | Winch | Windlass

WINTER 2010 109

WARNING 

VAT & TAX STATUS CHANGES COULD 

SERIOUSLY AFFECT YOUR YACHT 

Wealth Warning 

Is your yacht operating under: 

• The French Commercial Yacht Exemption? 

• An Italian Lease? 

• An Isle of Man Charter Structure? 

If so then you may have serious issues with 

regards to its VAT and tax status. 

Do you want to wait until the potential problem 

becomes a very real issue, or would you prefer to 

implement an effective solution now? 

Contact us to discuss the potential problems and solutions: 

Declan O’Sullivan • dos@pelagosyachts.com • +441624 819867 (office) • +447624 461317 (mobile) 

Chris Stewart • crs@pelagosyachts.com • +441624 819867 (office) • +447624461050 (mobile) 

www.pelagosyachts.com

Oyster Marine Ltd 

Tel: +44 (0)1473 688888 

Sales Team: Tel: +44 (0)1473 695005 

Aft ersales: Tel: +44 (0)1473 690198 

Email: yachts@oystermarine.com 

www.oystermarine.com 

Oyster Marine USA 

Oyster Brokerage USA 

Tel: +1 401 846 7400 

Email: info@oystermarine.com 

www.oystermarine.com 

Oyster Marine Germany 

Tel: +49 40 644 008 80 

Email: yachten@oystermarine.com 

www.oystermarine.de 

Oyster Representatives 

Oyster Marine in Asia 

Bart Kimman 

Tel: +852 2815 0404 

Email: bart.kimman@oystermarine.hk 

Oyster Marine in Italy 

Tommy Moscatelli 

Tel: +39 0564 830234 

Email: tommy.moscatelli@oystermarine.it 

Oyster Marine in Russia 

Oscar Konyukhov 

Tel: +7 495 725 47 03 

Email: oscar.konyukhov@oystermarine.com 

Oyster Marine in Ukraine 

Alex Krykanyuk 

Tel: +380 512 580 540 

Email: alex.krykanyuk@oystermarine.ru 

Oyster Charter 

Tel: +1 401 846 7400 

Email: molly.marston@oystermarine.com 

www.oystercharter.com 

Oyster Brokerage Ltd 

Tel: +44 (0)1473 695100 

Email: brokerage@oystermarine.com 

www.oysterbrokerage.com 

Southampton Yacht Services Ltd 

Saxon Wharf Lower Street 

Northam Southampton SO14 5QF England 

Tel: +44 (0)23 8033 5266 

Fax: +44 (0)23 8063 4275 

Email: sales@southamptonyachtservices.co.uk 

www.southamptonyachtservices.co.uk

www.oystermarine.com

NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF OYSTER - Oyster Yachts

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