BOATBUILDING50 years’ of boatbuilding23/03/2023Save articleOyster Yachts is celebrating 50 years since the company was founded in 1973.SHOW FULLSCREENOyster Yachts is celebrating 50 years of building yachts in 2023The boatbuilder now has more than 600 employees in the UK, USA and Europe and an order book that stretches to 2026.The company was founded by Sir Richard Matthews who had a vision for an Oyster 34, a cruiser racer designed by Don Pye of Holman and Pye and built using local boatbuilders Landamores in Wroxham, Norfolk.In 1980, Sir Richard introduced the Oyster HP46, a yacht that featured Oyster’s deck saloon, which became a signature feature on all Oyster Yachts.The range extended to include the Oyster 41, 43, 53 and 55 and later, working with yacht designer Stephen Jones, the Oyster SJ35.The boatbuilder has continued to evolve with the founding of a brokerage arm followed by the start of a relationship with naval architect Rob Humphreys, a partnership that has seen 17 models designed.The largest Oyster in the current fleet, the Oyster 885, was launched in 2010 and along with the Oyster 625, was the first to feature Oyster’s signature seascape windows and twin rudders.And in 2021, the company introduced its 495 model with manufacturing taking place at Hythe.Oyster yachts have now sailed more than 20 million sea miles with around 100 circumnavigations of the world carried out.Other initiatives include the Oyster World Rally that was launched in 2013.TopicsanniversaryBoatbuildingLuxury YachtSailingSailing rallyWorld rallyyacht

Source: 50 years’ of boatbuilding | News | Boating Business