Oyster yachts have proven their excellent performance time and time again.
In the ARC transatlantic event several Oysters have been class winners over the years, including the Oyster 56 and 62, which were overall winners of the cruising classes.
In Antigua, where strong trade wind sailing is so often the order of the day, yachts sail varied courses providing a real test of upwind and offwind performance. In recent years an Oyster has twice been the top yacht in the cruising classes, and the Oyster 56, 62 and 72 have all been class winners.
In the classic Sydney Hobart race an Oyster won the cruising division and, more impressive still Scarlet Oyster won her class in
the 2007 Fastnet Race, sailing under the IRC rule and beating 60 other yachts in her class.
Race results are only part of what we consider sailing performance is all about, since of equal, if not greater, importance is the way Oyster yachts perform at sea day by day. With their relatively heavy displacement and fine entry leading to a smooth U-shaped forefoot, our yachts are designed to have a soft motion in a head sea, which cannot easily be achieved with the relatively light, flat bottomed hulls favoured by some other constructors.
Another important factor is stability, which not only means sail carrying power, but also comfort. Oyster yachts are designed to be stiff and, in cruising trim, their easily driven hulls and low centre of gravity bulb keels maintain good average speeds when sailing comfortably with only a modest heel angle.