Oyster Yachts‘s new 805 yacht is a big evolution for the storied brand, with features more likely found on a motoryacht than a sailing vessel. The U.K. shipyard announced the 805 at a private event at London’s St. Katharine Docks as part of its future transition.

The 805 was designed in collaboration with longtime partner Humphreys Yacht Design to fit between the brand’s existing 745 and 885 Series II models. But the new launch’s innovative design show how Oyster plans to evolve.

The newest model comes at a good time for Oyster, an aspirational brand among round-the-world sailors. In 2018, U.K. entrepreneur Richard Hadida acquired Oyster, which was in the midst of severe financial difficulties. The brand is now enjoying record sales “in what is a very challenging environment globally,” said CEO Ashley Highfield at the event. Oyster’s “tried and tested DNA” and strong brand loyalty among owners, noted Highfield, were primary reasons for the uptick in sales. That has prompted more creative designs, he added, with the 805 being an example of how the line will evolve.

Oyster also used the London event to name former Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös as its strategic advisor. Known for transforming the luxury Rolls marque into a modern tour de force in the automotive world, Müller-Ötvös will help with Oyster’s brand positioning and global reach.

Owners can also choose between a standard keel with 11.2 feet of draft, or a shortened 8.75-foot keel. The shorter keel allows the yacht to reach more remote anchorages, get close to shore, and, notes Highfield, “meets the Mediterranean’s seagrass regulations” for eco-friendliness.

The cockpit has differentiators like a dining table that converts into a large daybed. It’s shaded by a solar hardtop that generates three kilowatts—solar power is a feature that Oyster is making available across its entire range. New “wing” seats integrated into the coaming (vertical exterior surface) provide improved visibility at the helm. Three seascape windows and larger hull ports allow natural light into the four guest cabins, including the largest owner’s cabin ever seen on an Oyster below 100 feet. In a first, ultra-thin marble was installed in all guest heads.

robbreport.com