OYSTER MARINE LTD Oyster 55 for sale (1988) in Gosport, United Kingdom

Holman & Pye and Oyster — the Oyster 55 has won hearts and minds the world over. This yacht has been thoroughly updated and is fully prepared for world cruising. Recent upgrades include topsides paint and a new generator this year, together with lithium-ion batteries, synthetic decks, new electronics, standing rigging, wiring, refrigeration, Starlink, a dinghy, and much more. She is an immensely capable and attractive yacht, offering four cabins plus a workshop, and is very realistically priced.

Construction

RCD Status: Our understanding is that the yacht is exempt from the essential safety requirements of the Recreational Craft Directive as she was built and placed into use within the EU prior to 1998.

Originally built to meet MCA Small Commercial Vessel Code of Practice to Category 0 (unlimited cruising area) but not currently certified.

Hull, Deck & Superstructure Construction:

• Teak joinery.
• Air Draft: 72'3" / 22.02m.
• Laid-up GRP, single skin with structural stringers and floors to Lloyd’s approved design specification.
• White hull with cove line and double boot top lines in blue, fully repainted 2025 from water to toerail.
• Coppercoat antifouling lifted to boot top line in 2020 and remaining Coppercoat reactivated 2023.
• Deck moulded in GRP with balsa core.
• Aft deck rebuilt with new core and sandwich (2023).
• Flexiteek 2G deck (new 2020), with perforated aluminium alloy toe rail.
• Oyster deck saloon profile.
• Transom extension fitted in 1999 to incorporate a ‘sugar scoop’ stern design with bathing platform trimmed with teak slats and stainless-steel steps for access to the stern deck.
• Flexiteek laid (new 2020), self-draining cockpit.

Keel & Rudder:

• Moderate draft fin keel design, moulded integral with hull, lead encapsulated within the GRP moulding.
• Fully protected skeg-hung rudder.

Machinery

Engine & Gearboxes:

• 1 x Nanni N4.115 (115hp) four-cylinder diesel engine (overhauled 2023).
• Twin Disc TM545A gearbox (2024).

Maintenance & Performance:

• Approximately 4,000 hours in September 2025.

Propulsion & Steering:

• Remote steering pedestal incorporating a stainless-steel wheel.
• Hydrovane with spare rudder (new 2021).
• Max Prop 3-bladed feathering propeller with Propspeed.
• Sleipner 130/250T with cockpit control. In addition, an RCT21-E remote transmitter (new 2020), is installed to control both bowthruster and windlass.
• Edson cable steering system.
• Cables (new 2019).

Electrical Systems

Voltage Systems:

• 12V.
• 220V AC ring main with outlet sockets throughout the boat.
• Each cabin has a double socket, plus saloon and galley sockets located as appropriate within the layout.
• Extensive rewire (2023) with all breakers and fuses renewed.
• 12V USB and cigarette lighter sockets fitted to cockpit, lazarette and saloon.

Battery Banks:

• Domestic: 3 x 280Ah LiFePO4 Wulills Batteries (new 2023).
• Engine start: 12V Optima Blue Top battery (new 2023).
• Generator start: 12V Optima Blue Top battery (new 2023).
• Bowthruster: 2 x 12V Optima Yellow Top batteries (new 2025).
• All batteries are positively secured against inversion in the case of a knockdown.

Battery Chargers:

• House Batteries: Mastervolt Combimaster 12V/3000VA – 100A Inverter/charger combination (new 2020).
• Engine and Generator: ProNautic 12-40P battery charger (new 2020).
• Victron Energy Battery monitor (new 2023).
• 1 x Victron SmartSolar MPPT (new 2021).
• 2 x Orion Smart Regulators (new 2023).
• 1 x Watt & Sea Converter (new 2019, software update 2023).

Alternators:

• 1 x Leece Neville 105A alternator.
• 1 x 90A spare alternator.

Generator:

• Fischer Panda 5000i Neo PMS diesel generator – (new 2025).
• 10 hours in September 2025.
• Watt & Sea 300W Hydrogenerator (new 2021).

Shore Power:

• 32A dockside power cable with Hubbell socket fitted to transom (new 2023).

Other Electrical:

• 2 x 200W solar panels fitted to the bimini.

Plumbing Systems

• Anchor/deck wash (seawater) in bow.

Fresh Water & Water Heating System:

• From an insulated approximately 75 litres single coil Surecal calorifier tank heated by the engine’s heat exchanger, or by thermostatically controlled immersion heater element powered by the generator or dockside power, plus expansion tank (new 2023).
• Hot and cold freshwater system based on a high-capacity water pump.

Watermaker:

• Dessalator Duo 60 Watermaker (new 2019, installed 2020).
• Advanced Water Systems refitted, and system upgraded in 2023.
• Plumbed to main tank and galley
• Approx 140 hrs.

Bilge Pumps:

• Whale Gusher Titan manual bilge pump, to all watertight compartments (new 2023).
• Rule 3700 electric pump in main bilge (rated at 14,000 litres per hour).
• Manual bilge pump operated from cockpit (new 2022).

Tankage

• Day tank has electronic fuel gauge (2023).
• Dipsticks are installed to enable fuel and water levels in each tank to be monitored.

Fuel:

• 800 litres approximately (176 Imp gallons/211 US gallons) in 2 x GRP tanks.
• A fuel scrubbing system (new 2023) is installed to enable the smaller tank (ca. 250ltr) to be used as a day tank.
• Both tanks are plumbed to engine and generator allowing for easy switching in event of tank blockage.

Fresh Water:

• 1,000 litres approximately (220 Imp gallons/264 US gallons) in a single GRP tank.

Grey/Blackwater Holding Tanks:

• 2 x Plastic (polyethylene) toilet holding tanks installed for each head and with electric pump discharge, with additional ability to pump out from deck using a shore station (new 2020).
• Tanks fitted with electric capacity gauges.
• Whale Gulper 220 pump (new 2023).
• Showers, washbasins, and galley discharge into a grey water tank, which then evacuates via the dedicated electric pump directly overboard.
• The grey water tank cleaned annually and fitted with a float switch (2023).
• The tank also has a manual override switch in event that the float switch fails.

Navigation Equipment

• Comms antenna pole on aft deck (new 2022), includes the following aerials: Starlink, Certus 700, Spare VHF, Navtex, EchoMax, Yellow Brick and 4G Wi-fi.
• HF aerial incorporated into backstay (new 2022).
• Plastimo binnacle steering compass (new 2020).
• By Raymarine - i70 instrumentation.
• Raymarine Axiom 12” Chart Plotter (new 2020).
• Raymarine Quantum2 Q24D (Doppler) Radar (new 2020).
• 3 x i70 Raymarine multifunction displays (new 2020).
• 2 x P70s Raymarine Pilot controller (new 2020).
• SeaTalk converter (new 2020).
• Em-trak B350 Class B AIS Transceiver (new 2023).
• Furuno Navtex Receiver NX-300 (installed 2022).
• Yellowbrick iridium tracker (new 2021).
• Raymarine Evolution EV-1 and ACU pilot system (new 2020).
• Hy-ProDrive HS+50 Marine Hydraulic Steering System (new 2023).
• Hawk Windex at masthead (new 2020).
• Standard Horizon Matrix AIS/GPS GX 2200E plus cockpit command mic (new 2024).
• Icom M700 SSB radio system with new aerial (2022) incorporated in backstay.
• Certus 700 satellite system with phone (new 2019).
• 4G Wi-fi bat (new 2019).
• MailaSail Red Box Pro Marine 4G (new 2023).
• Starlink (new 2023).

Domestic Equipment

Galley:

• Twin stainless steel sinks.
• Gimballed stainless steel Force10 cooker with four burners, oven, and grill, all protected by a flame failure gas cut-off device (fitted as new 2020).
• Microwave oven.
• CAREL ir33 thermostat upgrade (2021).
• Keel-cooled refrigeration system (new 2023), to cool the refrigerator and freezer.
• Crockery.
• Cutlery and assorted cooking utensils.

Heads/Showers:

• 2 x Head compartments, each fitted out with a white washbasin set into a dark blue Formica work surface.
• Jabsco manual toilets fitted in heads.
• Bullfinch recessed hot/cold freshwater shower fitted to transom (new 2023).

Heating & Ventilation:

• Dorade vents.

Entertainment:

• Glomex TV aerial (new 2022).
• Avtex TV/DVD player 12v or 240V (new 2022).
• Fusion Audio Systems marine stereo with radio/CD player and Bluetooth connectivity (new 2020).
• 4 x Headlining speakers plus 2 x cockpit speakers (new 2020).

Lighting:

• All interior lighting has been upgraded to LED in 2023.
• All communal areas and heads have red light options fitted.
• Overhead downlights.
• Lights and downlights in each head compartment, plus over galley work surfaces.
• Reading light for each berth.
• Red/White chart table light Automatic light to drinks locker.
• Bow (new 2024) and stern navigation lights.
• Steaming/deck floodlight (new 2019).
• Tri-white anchor/navigation light at masthead (new 2020).

Accommodation

Summary of Accommodation:

• 8 berths in 4 cabins, excluding the saloon and forepeak.
• All berths have Dacron lee screens fitted with lanyards to through-bolted eyes.
• In addition, there are two sea berths; one in the saloon and one in the aft cabin both fitted with lee cloths.
• The forepeak is fitted with a pipe cot.
• Interior joinery finished in teak.
• Cabin sole in teak and holly.
• Designed to be modern and coordinated, whilst remaining practical and durable at sea. Essential features include sculpted fiddles and grab rails, ‘shadow-gap’ joints between joinery panels, and Oyster custom knobs for lockers and drawers.
• Acrylic horizontal galley worktops in solid wood.
• Headlining in off-white vinyl.
• Upholstery in blue/grey fabric.
• Curtains to windows in all cabins.
• Fans to all cabins (new 2022).

Hatches/Ports and Windows:

• Oyster custom vertical drop-down washboard system for main companionway. Lewmar alloy-framed deck hatches.
• Gebo alloy-framed coaming portlights, with two additional portlights on aft edge of coachroof.
• Lewmar opening hull ports.
• Large window fitted into transom.
• Alloy-framed, custom-made deck saloon windows - two forward ones opening.

Description of layout from forwards:

Forepeak:

• Watertight bulkhead and door between forepeak and forward cabin.
• One folding pipe cot, used for sail and fender stowage.

Port Forward Twin Cabin:

• Forward port twin cabin with upper and lower berths, and stowage beneath lower berth.
• Hanging locker and stowage space.

Starboard Forward Twin Cabin (with Lower Berth Convertible to Double):

• Consisting of twin upper and lower bunk berths, with the ability to convert the lower berth into a double.
• Bedside drawer unit and stowage beneath lower berth.
• Hanging locker.

Shared Head/Shower and Day Head:

• Located forward to port and accessed from the passageway, this head compartment is shared by the forward cabins and doubles as a day head.
• Incorporating a manual toilet (new 2022), washbasin, and shower.
• Blackwater tank (fitted 2020), with tank/sea option.
• Titan submersible pump 220V.
• Lockers and shelf.
• Watertight bulkhead and door between forward cabins and saloon.

Saloon:

• Access to the saloon from the cockpit is via a set of timber companionway steps with two timber handrails either side of the opening.
• Featuring an extendable fold-out saloon table to starboard, which is mounted on a substantial pedestal incorporating stowage within its base.
• This table is surrounded by a large U-shaped settee that when opened fully provides a dining area suitable for up to ten people.
• In its folded position it becomes an occasional table.
• The tabletop is a veneered panel with solid timber edging.
• To port is a shorter settee with a height adjustable coffee table, plus a bar/drinks locker.
• This settee is provided with a lee cloth, enabling it to be a useful sea berth.
• Stowage beneath and behind saloon seating, plus under sole.

Navigation/Chart Table Area:

• Located at the aft port end of the saloon the navigation area has a forward-facing chart table and seat, customised around the flush-mounted electronics and navigational equipment, which is strategically sited and mounted in a black fascia panel.
• Switch panel (new 2023, as part of rewire).
• Stowage for half-folded (full size) Admiralty charts.
• Bookshelf for navigational books and almanacs.

Port Midship (Captain’s) Cabin/Workshop:

• Situated to port and aft of the navigation area is a twin cabin with upper and lower berths, and stowage beneath lower berth.
• Foam mattresses (new 2022).
• Washing machine (new 2020) with small workbench & vice fitted above.
• Comms hub including Sat Phone, Starlink and Redbox.
• This cabin can also be used as a workshop/stowage area.

Galley:

• Situated aft of the saloon to starboard, in the companionway to the aft cabin, with solid wood work surfaces, and plentiful storage space.
• Large rubbish bin fitted inside locker door by sinks.
• Watertight bulkhead and door between galley and master aft cabin.

Owner’s Stateroom:

• Situated aft and configured with a double berth offset to port from centreline complete with storage beneath.
• Berth benefits from a split mattress and lee cloths allowing this space to become two usable sea berths on long passages.
• Large hanging locker and shelves, plus abundant drawer, and locker space.
• Settee outboard of berth to starboard that converts into an additional single sea berth, if required.
• Access to aft passageway to starboard, leading forward to galley.
• Door forward to port leads to en-suite head/shower compartment.

En-Suite Head/Shower:

• Incorporating a toilet, washbasin, and separate shower stall, which can also be used to hang wet weather gear.
• Blackwater tank (fitted 2020), with tank/sea option. Storage lockers.

Deck Equipment

Rig:

• Stainless steel fairleads.
• Cutter rig with in-mast furling system. Hood Stoway white painted mast and boom, with double spreader rig.
• Solid rod kicker/vang (new 2021).
• Hydraulic backstay adjuster.
• Standing rigging (new 2021), and checked in 2023 & 2025.
• Running rigging with new Main, Genoa 1 & Genoa 2, Spinnaker 2 & topping lift halyards (2022/23).
• Outhaul (new 2023) and mast furling line (new 2025).
• Conduit for masthead instrument wiring. Mast sealed with Sparkrite 2023.
• Furlex furling systems on both headsails - 300A and 400S.
• Twin spinnaker poles with twin Andersen Sidewinder heel hoists.

Winches:

• All winches were removed, stripped, and serviced 2023, including the Andersen Sidewinder hoists.
• By Lewmar - all self-tailing winches. In cockpit:
• 2 x #65 electric primary winches (new 2020).
• 2 x #550 winches (refurbished and installed 2023).
• 2 x #43 winches.
• 2 x #16 main traveller winches.
• 2 x #53 electric halyard winches (new 2020).
• On mast: 1 x #52 winch.
• By Antal - self-tailing: 1 x #44 winch.

Sails:

• Detachable stainless steel bowsprit enabling furling Code Zero, ASY, or other downwind sail (new 2022).
• By One Sails - in premium AP woven Dacron: 58.5M2 in mast furling Main Sail (new 2022)
• By Far East Sails - all in Challenge High Modulus cloth: 9.3oz furling yankee with UV strip and foam luff. 11.9oz furling staysail with UV strip and foam luff.
• By Oxley Sails: Bora Parasailor 169.2M2 with twin inflatable snuffer (new 2023).
• By Hood Sails: Dacron furling staysail. Storm jib.
• By Penrose: Cruising Mylar furling mainsail.
• By Gowen: Tri-radial cruising chute and snuffer.

General:

• Midship gateway stanchions. Gate to pushpit.
• Stainless steel fold-down bathing/boarding ladder on transom.
• Varnished teak-topped cockpit table with fold-down leaves.
• Stainless steel pulpit and pushpit.
• Aft quarter seating incorporating petrol storage (new 2023).
• Teak grab rails atop deck saloon.
• Large full-width aft lazarette locker.
• Stern quarter pushpit seats in Flexiteek (new 2020) and stainless steel.
• Gas locker for up to five gas bottles.
• Ensign staff socket.
• Extensive set of spares, ropes, warps, and fenders, including 100m of 22mm Octoplait rope.

Anchoring & Mooring Equipment:

• 32kg Delta anchor with 100m of 10mm chain (chain new 2021).
• 24kg (approximately) CQR anchor with 20m of 10mm chain and 40m of 16mm anchor warp (new 2023).
• 10m 10mm Chain Snubber with 18mm LIROS Anchorplait Nylon V Bridle (new 2019).
• Lewmar V4/V5 windlass (new 2022). In addition, an RCT21-E remote transmitter (new 2020) is fitted, which operates both windlass and bowthruster.
• Mooring and cockpit cleats.
• Warps and fenders.

Covers, Canvas & Cushions:

• Oyster custom vertical drop-down washboard system for main companionway. Lewmar alloy-framed deck hatches.
• Gebo alloy-framed coaming portlights, with two additional portlights on aft edge of coachroof.
• Lewmar opening hull ports.
• Large window fitted into transom.
• Alloy-framed, custom-made deck saloon windows - two forward ones opening.

Tender & Outboard:

• Outboard motor bracket.
• AB Lammina Hypalon 9ft (2.76m) dinghy (new 2024).
• Blocks fitted to foredeck for storage.
• Mariner 6hp outboard motor (new 2021, serviced Jul 25).

Safety Equipment