New boat briefing
The sixth generation More space and better aesthetics – Oyster take a top-down approach
When builders point to the greater volume of a new model over its prede- cessor the risk is that the increase has been achieved at the expense of looks. More volume rarely leads to better aesthetics. Yet Oyster’s G6 range marks a step forward in both areas, delivering sleeker, more modern appearance while offering significantly more space above and below decks. But the new style is much more than simply a smart exercise in creating a good-looking, voluminous boat. Since the G6 range was first announced in 2012 the project has been an ambi- tious one that extends from the new flagship of the fleet, the 118 that is currently in build, through seven models, to the recently announced 565 and 595s. A comprehensive new line- up that is arguably one of the boldest in the company’s history. There are certain details in the G6 approach that stand out immediately. Stepping onto the new 745 (above) most noticeable is the sleeker, lower- profile deck with its tinted, wrap-around saloon windows. The landscape- oriented ‘seascape’ hull port lights are another signature of the new marque. Cleaner-looking, clutter-free decks are also part of a new style, as are sail plans that incorporate blade jibs, bowsprits, swept-back spreaders,
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full-width chainplates and carbon rigs. And when you drill down into the detail on deck, the arrangement of con- trol lines that run back discretely to cockpit-mounted rope clutches makes for an intelligently laid-out configuration that is easier to use, while relying on fewer winches than would traditionally have been the norm. Leading the jib sheets aft in this manner has also addressed the issue of keeping flog- ging lines away from the guest cockpit! But this is still a long way off the full story behind the development of the G6 range. Instead, the starting point for the project was the gradual change in the size of boats that owners were happy to handle themselves and the way in which they used them. The increased volume that is a feature of the G6 range came from a different area of development. Frequently new models are devel- oped as owners look to move up in size and, while the G6 fleet will provide a natural progression for those looking to trade up, it was not the manner in which the new range was conceived. Rather, the development came the other way, with lessons learnt in much bigger models providing the cues for smaller boats. And the model that trig- gered the change was the Oyster 100. Her length means that she has to
Above: sitting in the centre of the G6 range the new 745 was designed by Humphreys Yacht Design who have managed to deliver a
sleek profile yet still with the all-round visibility from the main
saloon that is more typical of a much larger yacht… something that is not at all easy. For extra privacy there is also the option to move the owner’s cabin into the bow while the guest and crew cabins remain midships and aft
comply with the marine and coastguard agency large yacht code (LYC) which, among other details, sets out minimum dimensions for some of the accommo- dation. The net result is this profes- sionally run 100-footer has two cabins for crew and just three for guests. Owners of, say, a 56 or 575, who have no crew to cater for and will be used to having four cabins for them- selves and their guests, would be justified in questioning the appeal of a boat that is almost twice the length but has less guest accommodation. It was this that triggered a new approach. The starting point was to create a design that was close to, but not exceed- ing, the lower limit of LYC compliance, resulting in the 885. From here the designers looked at how to make full use of the voluminous hull from an accommodation point of view while at the same time using the fuller form to boost performance. In essence this came down to a subtle shift in the dis- tribution of buoyancy to generate more righting moment and hence more power, yet without increasing wetted area. From here a towing tank program at the Wolfson Unit in Southampton pro- vided validation of the new hull shape. A fuller form in the after-sections also lends itself to twin-rudders which in
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