Oyster Yachts
Oyster Yachts is a British luxury sailing-yacht brand known for long-range cruising yachts and its distinctive deck-saloon designs.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Oyster Yachts is a British builder and brand of luxury cruising sailing yachts. The business was founded in 1973 as Oyster Marine by Richard Matthews, after he commissioned the 32-foot UFO II from naval architects Holman & Pye and Norfolk boatbuilder Landamores. UFO II won the Royal Yacht Squadron’s de Maas Cup at Cowes in 1974, and its development into the UFO 34 established the first yacht produced under the Oyster name. From the beginning, the company’s identity was closely associated with British design, construction and offshore cruising. A major design turning point came in 1978, when Oyster introduced a 46-foot cruising ketch with a deck-saloon arrangement. The elevated saloon improved visibility, light and interior living space while preserving the practical requirements of a serious cruising yacht. Deck-saloon styling subsequently became one of the brand’s most recognizable characteristics. Oyster expanded into larger yachts over the following decades, including a 53-foot Rob Humphreys design launched in 1997 and a 62-foot Humphreys design introduced in 2002. Its modern range has included yachts from roughly 56 feet to 125 feet, developed by Rob Humphreys and the Oyster Design Team, with the portfolio spanning performance-oriented blue-water cruisers, large raised-saloon yachts and superyacht-scale sailing vessels. For much of its history, Oyster operated primarily as a marketing and commissioning business while production was subcontracted to British yards. Landamores in Hoveton, near Wroxham, built a substantial proportion of the fleet. A small number of models or production runs were built outside the United Kingdom, including portions of the Oyster 49, Oyster 54 and LD43 production in New Zealand, and the 100-foot and 125-foot yachts at RMK Marine in Turkey. During the 2000s, the business progressively brought assembly in-house, and in 2019 it further integrated hull moulding through a partnership involving Lloyd’s Register. Ownership changes and financial pressure significantly affected the company. Oyster was sold to Balmoral Capital in 2008 and subsequently to Dutch private-equity firm HTP Investments BV in 2012. Oyster Marine entered administration in February 2018 after its owner withdrew financial support amid cash-flow problems. KPMG was appointed administrator. On 20 March 2018, technology entrepreneur Richard Hadida acquired the business, including its yacht operations, and began rebuilding production and staffing. Manufacturing restarted at the Wroxham yard on 15 May 2018, with the company rehiring many former employees and continuing outstanding customer contracts. Under Hadida’s ownership, Oyster has positioned itself as a specialist luxury blue-water cruising brand rather than a high-volume recreational boat producer. Its customer proposition combines bespoke or semi-custom yacht construction, ocean-going capability, design heritage, after-sales support and an active owner community. The company organizes regattas, rendezvous, dinners and boat-show events, and runs the Oyster World Rally, a supported, multi-year circumnavigation for owners. The rally began in 2013 to mark the company’s 35th anniversary and became a recurring program, with subsequent editions in 2017–2019, 2021–2023 and from January 2024. In 2025, Oyster also announced the Explorers Club for shorter curated owner expeditions. The brand has received industry recognition for several models, including the Oyster 625, 675, 565 and 745, and has twice received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
History
Oyster Marine was established in Britain in 1973 by Richard Matthews. Its first production lineage came from UFO II, a 32-foot three-quarter-ton yacht designed by Holman & Pye and built by Landamores. After UFO II won the de Maas Cup at Cowes in 1974, the design evolved into the UFO 34, Oyster’s first production yacht. The company’s defining design language developed in 1978 with a 46-foot cruising ketch featuring a deck saloon. This arrangement became an Oyster hallmark, offering enhanced visibility and interior volume for extended cruising. The brand subsequently moved into larger and more sophisticated yachts, working extensively with designer Rob Humphreys. Notable expansion included a 53-foot model in 1997 and a 62-foot model in 2002. The modern product family has extended from mid-sized blue-water cruisers to yachts of 100 and 125 feet. Oyster maintained strong ties to East Anglia and British boatbuilding. Landamores in Hoveton, near Wroxham, was responsible for much of the company’s historical production. Although some models and production runs were completed overseas, the company generally emphasized British manufacture. During the 2000s it moved assembly in-house, and in 2019 brought hull moulding further into its own production system through a partnership with Lloyd’s Register. The company changed ownership several times. Balmoral Capital acquired Oyster in 2008, followed by HTP Investments BV in 2012. A structural failure involving the inner hull of the Oyster 825 Polina Star III was investigated after the yacht sank in 2015; the investigation attributed the loss to aspects of the manufacturing process for the vessel’s internal structure. Oyster later faced cash-flow problems, and Oyster Marine entered administration in February 2018 after HTP withdrew support. KPMG acted as administrator. Richard Hadida acquired Oyster in March 2018. His ownership led to a manufacturing restart at Wroxham in May of that year and the re-employment of former staff. The revived business continued to develop luxury cruising yachts and to support a broad international owner base. Oyster has also built a community and services ecosystem around its yachts. Its events include regattas in Antigua and Palma, Mediterranean rendezvous and gatherings connected with major boat shows. The Oyster World Rally, first held in 2013, gives owners the opportunity to circumnavigate with a planned route and company support. Editions followed in 2017–2019 and 2021–2023, while another edition began in January 2024. In 2025 the company added the Explorers Club for shorter organized expeditions. Recognition has included two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and multiple model-level awards from marine publications and boat-show organizations.
- 2025
Explorers Club introduced
[1]The company launches shorter, curated owner expeditions alongside the World Rally program.
- 2019
Hull-moulding capability brought in-house
[1]Oyster takes a further step toward production integration through a partnership involving Lloyd’s Register.
- 2018
Administration and acquisition by Richard Hadida
[1]Oyster Marine enters administration in February; Richard Hadida acquires the business in March and manufacturing restarts in May.
- 2013
First Oyster World Rally
[1]Oyster organizes its first supported owner circumnavigation, initially to mark the brand’s 35th anniversary.
- 2012
Acquired by HTP Investments
[1]Dutch private-equity firm HTP Investments BV becomes the owner.
- 2008
Acquired by Balmoral Capital
[1]Oyster is sold to private-equity firm Balmoral Capital.
- 2002
Oyster launches a 62-foot Humphreys design
[1]The 62-foot model marks continued movement toward larger offshore cruising yachts.
- 1997
Oyster launches a 53-foot Humphreys design
[1]The company expands its range with a larger yacht designed by Rob Humphreys.
- 1978
Deck-saloon concept introduced
[1]Oyster launches a 46-foot cruising ketch whose deck-saloon arrangement becomes a signature feature.
- 1974
UFO II wins the de Maas Cup
[1]The prototype wins the Royal Yacht Squadron’s de Maas Cup at Cowes, helping establish the brand’s early credibility.
Products and positioning
Premium British blue-water sailing yachts combining ocean-going capability, deck-saloon comfort, design pedigree, craftsmanship and long-term owner support.
Luxury blue-water sailing yacht
Oyster 565
A mid-sized Oyster cruising yacht designed for offshore passage-making while retaining the brand’s emphasis on comfortable interiors, practical handling and deck-saloon visibility. The model received Sailing Today’s Best Luxury Cruiser recognition in 2017.
Luxury cruising sailing yacht
Oyster 625
A larger deck-saloon cruiser representing Oyster’s combination of long-distance sailing capability, spacious accommodation and premium construction. It was named Luxury Cruiser of the Year at boot Düsseldorf in 2012.
Luxury blue-water sailing yacht
Oyster 675
A substantial ocean-cruising yacht aimed at owners seeking extended passages and high-comfort living aboard. Sailing Today named it Best Luxury Cruiser in 2016.
Luxury cruising sailing yacht
Oyster 745
A large Oyster cruiser recognized for combining ocean-going performance with premium accommodation and deck-saloon design. It was named Cruising World’s Boat of the Year in 2018.
Large sailing yacht
Oyster 100 and Oyster 125
Oyster’s largest sailing yachts extend the brand into superyacht-scale cruising. The 100-foot and 125-foot boats were built at RMK Marine in Turkey, while the designs support Oyster’s focus on long-range sailing, large living spaces and bespoke ownership.
Owner expedition program · 2013
Oyster World Rally
A company-organized, multi-year circumnavigation for Oyster owners. Participants follow a planned global route with logistical and after-sales support from Oyster, turning yacht ownership into a structured long-distance cruising community.
Controversies
Marketing campaigns
- 2025Explorers Club
Global
Oyster introduced curated owner rallies lasting approximately four to twelve months, offering a shorter alternative to the longer World Rally circumnavigations.
Outcome. The program broadened Oyster’s organized-expedition offering beyond the full circumnavigation format.
- 2013Oyster World Rally
Global
Oyster created a supported global sailing expedition for owners to celebrate the company’s 35th anniversary. The initial event’s success led to recurring World Rally editions.
Outcome. The program became a recurring part of Oyster’s owner-community strategy, with later editions in 2017–2019, 2021–2023 and from 2024.
- Oyster Owner Events
Caribbean · Mediterranean · United Kingdom · United States
Oyster supports community events including the Oyster Antigua Regatta, Oyster Palma Regatta, Mediterranean rendezvous, dinners and gatherings at London, Southampton and Annapolis boat shows.
Outcome. These events reinforce the brand’s owner-community and after-sales positioning.
Brand decisions
2019
Further vertical integration of productionStrategyBackground
Oyster had progressively moved from a largely subcontracted production model toward greater control of manufacturing.
Action taken
The company brought final hull moulding in-house through a partnership involving Lloyd’s Register.
Aftermath
The move strengthened Oyster’s control over a critical stage of yacht construction.
2018
Administration and business rescueOtherBackground
Oyster Marine faced cash-flow problems after a period of ownership by HTP Investments BV, which withdrew financial support.
Action taken
Administrators were appointed in February 2018, followed by Richard Hadida’s acquisition of the business in March.
Aftermath
Manufacturing restarted at Wroxham in May 2018, and former employees were rehired to help fulfill existing contracts.
2018
Restart of Wroxham manufacturingStrategyBackground
Following the acquisition, the revived company needed to restore production capacity and customer confidence.
Action taken
Oyster resumed manufacturing at its Wroxham yard and rehired approximately 50 former shipwrights.
Aftermath
The restart supported continued construction and delivery of yachts ordered before the administration.
Recent events
- 2025
Oyster launches the Explorers Club[1]
Product launch · Campaign
Oyster introduced a program of curated owner rallies lasting approximately four to twelve months, complementing its longer World Rally circumnavigations.
- 2018
Oyster Marine enters administration[1]
Bankruptcy · Other
The boat-building arm of Oyster entered administration in February 2018 after cash-flow difficulties and the withdrawal of financial support by its then owner.
- 2018
Richard Hadida acquires Oyster Yachts[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Richard Hadida acquired Oyster Yachts in March 2018 and began restoring production, staffing and fulfillment of existing yacht contracts.
- 2018
Oyster restarts manufacturing at Wroxham[1]
Other
Manufacturing resumed at the Wroxham yard in May 2018, including the rehiring of former shipwrights.
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