After a short-lived joint partnership with a Turkish shipyard to build semi-custom superyachts from which only three boats emerged, British boat builder Oyster has started building a new 118ft yacht at its Southampton, UK facility.
The boat is a design by Rob Humphreys and builds on his studio’s 17 years of cooperation with Oyster. The 118 is sloop, rather than cutter, rigged and benefits from the same twin-rudder configuration as the successful Oyster 885 and 825 models. The plumb bowed, soft chined, hull design has a sleek profile, dressed with Oyster’s signature seascape hull windows and teardrop deck saloon windows.
An enclosable sedan hard top, incorporating a solid bimini sun-shade, allows the guest cockpit and interior accommodation to be interwoven. In all there are 700 cubic metres of interior volume, including an entertaining space of almost 11×7 metres that includes the generously sized guest cockpit.
An extensive degree of customisation is possible, including changes to transom styling to increase deck space and a wide range of interior options. The first boat will feature a five-cabin/four head plan, with an emphasis on cockpit dining that gives a huge social area. There are also options for a sixth suite, or a snug and TV room that will convert to a children’s bunkroom.
In addition to the conventional fold-down bathing platform and stowage for watersports toys at the transom, the foredeck has been designed to accommodate a nine-person 19ft Williams diesel powered luxury RIB tender. When the tender is launched this area is fitted out with cushions as an additional rest and relaxation zone.
The yacht is fitted with four captive winches that tame the rig’s enormous power, ensuring that the main and headsail sheets, as well as the main halyard can be operated in safety. There’s also provision to set asymmetric spinnakers that are tacked down to the anchor roller strut.
Launch of the first boat is planned for December 2017 with handover in May 2018 after sea trials in the Solent. A further three build slots are available for completion before summer 2020.
Length including bowsprit 37.45m
Hull length 36.00m
Waterline length 32.90m
Beam 8.35m
Draught (standard keel) 4.00m
Displacement 155 tonnes
Sail area with 100% foretriangle 693sq m
Air draught 52.3m
