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WHILE OYSTER 885 NUMBER ONE CIRCLESTHE GLOBE IN THE INAUGURAL OYSTERWORLD RALLY, WE JOINED 885-02 KARIBUON PASSAGE FROM PALMA, MALLORCA,TO PORTO CERVO, SARDINIA, FOR AHANDS-ON REVIEW OF THIS NEWRANGE-TOPPING FLAGSHIPTEXT BY MIKE OWEN »PHOTOS BY MIKE JONES & INGRID ABERY104 OYSTER NEWS SUMMER 2013

AS SUNRISE FLARED BEHIND THE SPIRES of Palma’s emblematiccathedral, Oyster 885 Karibu’s slipping lines forsook the marina, headingfor the Cabrera Straights off the south-eastern tip of the island, then ENEfor Sardinia’s crown. Fuelled, watered and with a pantry well stocked fora much longer voyage, our landfall was just 340 miles distant equivalentonly to moments away for an Oyster. But every mile was to be enjoyed.First launched last autumn, the new flagship Oyster 885 slides in beneaththe custom-built 100 and 125, but ahead of her next series-built sibling,the new 825, due to launch later this year. With the fifth 885 already in theconstruction hall in such short time, the benefits of Oyster’s serial buildingmethodology become very clear: the inherent cost savings of shared toolsand shortened build time; the inclusion of proven, reliable mechanical,electrical and electronic packages; yet still the ability to customiseextensively for discreet differences between every new launching.FIRST LAUNCHED JUST LAST AUTUMN THE NEW FLAGSHIPOYSTER 885 SLIDES IN BENEATH THE CUSTOM BUILT 100 AND 125.Each reflects the owners’ preferences. Here, hull colours, wood grain,finishes and furnishings are not the core of change; they’re just the icingon the cake. Transom platform and boarding arrangements differ, cabinplans alter. At the owner’s request, 885-04 even sees the introduction ofa new, higher raised deck saloon, requiring not just new moulding anddetailing but significant re-engineering of the ship’s systems.Based on extensive private – but no charter – use, Karibu’s customisationfits her owner’s aspirations like a glove. He comes to Oyster having hadtwo Swans previously and wanting more distance-cruising comforts andamenities but with still a performance orientation for occasional racing.(Our delivery to Porto Cervo, as an example, was for the Loro PianaSuperyacht Regatta, in which they notched fourth in class: not bad for afirst challenge so soon after launch.)To achieve the complete balance the owner sought, customisation wasquite extensive. Beyond the standard fitted captive winch for stylish singlepoint mainsheet, a second concealed captive was specified for mainhalyard hauling and simplified quick reefing from the safety of the cockpit.Then the towering, four-spreader, white-painted Hall carbon spar wasgiven higher spec discontinuous CSR (carbon standing rigging) withtitanium ends in place of a conventional stainless rod. A first for Oyster,this takes a tonne out of the rig for a lighter, stiffer and higher windedboat. Captives and carbon together make the owner’s perfect recipe, andto increase independence, the twin generators were upgraded toequal-size 27kW units. The list goes on.Making a smooth and quiet eight knots at a gentle 1150rpm of the330hp Cummins that are virtually inaudible on deck and hardly louderbelow, we motor-sailed out to Point Salinas on the island tip with halfthe blade jib unfurled. Two effortless minutes once around the point tobutton-hydraulic-hoist the fully battened main and set the full headsail,and Karibu smartly accelerated to nine then ten knots in little more windon a gentle reach.From the twin helm stations with their tactile carbon wheels andreplicated ship’s management and nav systems – B&G on Karibu,Raymarine as standard – controls are all to hand and all-round visibilityexcellent, even with the full-form spray hood up which, in Oyster big boatfashion, disappears forward into an enclosed garage when not required.There’s also a big bimini cockpit shade set on two stout stainless pramframes which add to the impressive array of sturdy, well-placedhandholds all around the cockpit and deck areas.The cockpit itself is long with generous separate guest area forwardand seating for maybe ten or eleven around a central foldout table withconvenient drinks cooler below and a walk-through aft between thehelm stations. On Karibu, drop-in pedestal seats were added for aperfect prop or perch on longer watches, though of course auto pilotusually prevails. »SUMMER 2013 OYSTER NEWS 105

ALL AROUND IT’S ANUNCLUTTERED APPROACHBUT SENSIBLY NOTMINIMALIST. IT’SBOTH A PRACTICAL ANDAESTHETIC SOLUTIONTHAT WORKS FOR THEDEEP SEA106 OYSTER NEWS SUMMER 2013

All around it’s an uncluttered approach but sensibly not minimalist.It’s both a practical and aesthetic solution that works for the deep sea.First to catch the eye is the uninterrupted lengths of invisibly butt-joinedteak planking, creating a visual highway from stem to stern and increasingthe perception of length. Hatches are all completely flush; fuel and waterfillers and pop-up cleats are designed not into the deck but into thechunky, square-topped outboard capping. Above the plumb bow,keeping the foredeck clear of ground tackle, the composite extension forcode sails incorporates impressive stainless steel engineering for anchorhandling, with the windlass concealed in an easily accessed, shelvedlocker next to the deep chain – 100m for the 66kg CQR anchor – all thisagain in stainless steel. And really handy for quick, easy working of warpswhen docking, a neat rise-and-fall capstan pops up out of the planking.Keeping the deck-stowed 4.2m jet tender low, there’s a neat well set intothe foredeck that, once the tender’s launched overside by the handyspinnaker pole lifting system, doubles as a cushioned lounge pit.Aft of the twin helm stations, is the Oyster-trademarked cavernous,man-high lazarette for warps, fenders, compressor and all, and the wideopen deck space is more than big enough for quoits as well as sunloungers!Additionally the pushpit has integral, big permanent corner wraparoundseating for two or three in each quarter, to curl into when underway or atanchor, sharing – in the dry – the fun of swimmers enjoying the hydraulicallylowered transom bathing and tender-berthing platform. And the clever stuffhere is not just the ‘toys-for-boys’ automatic-folding and unfolding of theaccess steps and hull-colour-coded handrail, but the platform ram pushingup, not down, absorbing the rising swell to prevent the jarring and noisyslamming of less rigid systems. The hydraulic gangplank, garaged in thetransom has matching auto handrails as well; lovely attention to detail.From the very first principles, the 885 has proved an innovation. Yes, shedraws on past experiences, including the lessons learnt from the upgradingof the 100 and 125, but there’s more to the 885 than meets the eye thatfirst explores the grand hull lines, with six huge windows to each side.Beneath the waterline, her hull form is completely new. She’s the firstOyster, indeed the first of any builder’s distance cruising yachts,scientifically tank tested and optimised for twin rudder configuration.The result is very pleasing. Weather helm is much reduced comparedwith conventional central rudder, tracking up and across wind is excellent,and close hauled the 885 can sail higher than might be expected.Karibu’s experienced Oyster skipper Eric Sweetser, who through tenyears has captained a 56, 72 and 82, reported her sailing higher than allthese, even to 25° apparent in a good breeze on the 3,500-mile shakedownfrom Ipswich to Palma. She’s responsive, steady and also handsteers within a good margin downwind, taking quartering seas well.The 885’s new hull form with wider stern and increased form stability,means the rig can go further forward for a bigger main and smallerheadsail, inherently giving more power off-wind under white sails, whilealso simplifying and speeding the handling and tacking already madeeasier by the big, high-spec Lewmar power winches. A nice touch to thisis that, as the sheets lead back to the self-tailers, they run under the deck,concealed. It looks good and also reduces the risk of foot-tripping sheets.By virtue of size and the 75-tonne displacement, she’s stable andmovement around deck is easy. Still, from purpose-designed to theeasy reach of standing rigging or sturdy high guard rails, handholds areplentiful, and especially good through the guest cockpit and theaccommodation where the whole length of the boat can be walkedwithout letting go. This is the most unusual in a boat with this beam,and a good sign of Oyster’s ‘living’ design.Stepping down and through to the saloon, entry is via a magnificent,motor-driven, side-sliding radiused glass affair. Labelling it as hatch orcompanionway would be an insult to this piece of visual art-cumengineering.Heavy though this is, a light-touch button on the handleactivates the electric drive and if power did ever go down, it can still beopened. Oyster always looks to counter failure, often with doubled-upsystems and, where possible, the same shared parts for in-builtredundancy and swap over.The general arrangement below decks is ultimately flexible but thestarting point takes full advantage of the 80+ft (24+m) threshold thatcreates the right proportions to completely separate crew and guestquarters when privacy’s needed. And for both there is plenty of room. »SUMMER 2013 OYSTER NEWS 107

Forward, working back from the bow, there’s a full-standing-height saillocker accessed either from deck or from the watertight bulkhead doorwhich comes back into the crew’s accommodation – with a double and atwin bunk cabin plan, each with en-suite – then the crew’s mess leadingback to a good long galley with plenty of work areas, cupboards, drawersand under-floor storage. Karibu’s chef Rochelle has big motor yachtexperience and described the galley here as bigger than many its shapenaturally creating good personal wedging points, which means betterfood more often in choppy waters. And that’s a good thing.Down a couple of steps aft in the galley, a big-ship’s watertight bulkheaddoor gives walk-in access to a very neat, well placed and spaced outengine and machinery room. Everything is in sight, as clean as a whistle,securely fixed and easily reached for simple maintenance. A goodexample is the run of manifolds along the foot of the forward bulkhead,which are all above floor level, so there is no need to dig down deepor under the sole. Everything has elbow room and eye space around.Also, immediately by the door, there’s a full-standing-height area witha workbench with, again, like the galley, good wedging to improveworkability underway. Air temperature in this space is also very good,a spin-off benefit from the forced-air ventilation system that flushes theaccommodation air space six times hourly.Stand in a cabin underway and nothing vibrates. Drawers, cupboards allclose firm. No shakes, no movement, no noise. There’s not actual silenceof course, there’s humming and some pulsing, but it’s warm, not intrusive.For more protection, peek inside the bare hull during construction andyou’ll see a really stout structural grid structure of full-length stringersand frames dappled with carbon laminates laid into weight-bearingareas assuring rigidity. You will also see fully integrated tanks, flexiblymounted pipe runs and conduits with soft apertures, used whenbreaching bulkheads and linings. With the computer-guided CNCcutting techniques, exact tight positioning of component parts, so norattles, no creaking is guaranteed. All are fitted with absolute precision,and the great thing with CNC is that it’s all on file so all repeatable.Damage a part, and an exact copy comes down the line.So what does the guest accommodation look like? That’s down to you.There is a base plan of central split level saloon, with cabinet-concealedbar and hi-lo surround sound TV to port, raised seating with push button,hydraulic hi-lo coffee/dining tabling for ten to starboard and at perfectheight for the all-round windows. Aft of the saloon down steps is theguest corridor leading first to twin or double guest suites port andstarboard, and then a fine, full beam owner’s suite aft.Oyster’s just getting better and better at these things and particularlynoise and vibration control. The boat is so silent. Even under motor,in the engine room, levels are really low. Conversation is perfectlypossible, which is extraordinary in a vessel this size. Additionally, allpumps and motors have been kept in this space, which allows the guestaccommodation to be isolated in a protected cocoon.Flooded in natural light, each cabin here enjoys the benefit of hugeSeascape hull windows. With the substantial hull scantlings and thatfull-on sound insulation you may not hear the sea, but you certainly see it,creaming across the giant glazing, always thrilling and as powerful a pullas logs in a burning fire.108 OYSTER NEWS SUMMER 2013

All cabins have their own A/C and A/V systems, varying from boat to boat,from movie and sound servers, storing thousands of films and albums toindividual cabin systems. In the spacious ‘magazine-home-from-home’en-suites, trim varies from smooth Avonite to white Italian marble.Mood-control LED-based systems lead the way, with touch switchingand dimming with red light swap-out for night vision. Kick recesses, steps,stairs and headliners conceal ambient lighting.Oyster 885 StandardInterior Layout.Oyster 885 OptionalInterior Layout.At the foot of the saloon steps down to port, before turning right throughthe privacy door to galley and crew quarters, there’s a convenient,comfortable and secure nav station with spacious chart table and plentyof panelling and shelving all round for books and multiple repeaters,monitors and comms equipment. And just in front of this is a fourth cabinspace. On hull two Karibu this is a guest cabin with en-suite. On hull threeClare, it’s a completely open plan, lower-deck day saloon and TV roomthat converts with slide-out bulkheads into a twin berth cabin.But of course, it’s about the sailing and boat handling as well. On passage,the wind ran through the west to north and back, for the main part in 10 to20 plus knots, so mostly reaching but a beat through night one. The firstreef went in around 17 knots, when she made a comfortable nine knotstouching ten and a point or two, the mast instrumentation beaming bignumbers back to the helm through the gloom. That second captive winchmade it all so easy: first, second reef, take it in, shake it out. So simple.Anchoring in the dark just short of the final run into Porto Cervo, thewind filled in to 30 plus knots. The hook held tight and the next morning,in slamming gusts of 38 knots, with the benefit of the fine trollingspeed control and 60hp to the thrusters, we neatly backed into our slot.Calm, controlled and most assured. That’s the Oyster way.OYSTER 885 DIMENSIONSLength overall – (including pulpit) 27.08m 88’ 10”Length of hull 26.06m 85’ 6”Length waterline 24.18m 79’ 4”Beam 6.33m 20’ 9”Draft – HPB keel (Standard) 3.5m 11’ 6”Draft – HPB keel (Shoal) TBC TBCDraft – centreboard – board up (SuperShoal) TBC TBCDraft – centreboard – board down (SuperShoal) TBC TBCDisplacement – HPB keel (Standard) 74,000kgs 163,142 lbsStandard rig and spar typeMasthead sloop with fullybattened mainAvailable rig optionsIn-mast furlingTypical engineCummins QSL 9.0 246kW (330hp)Tanks – fuel3,500 litres, 770 Imp gals, 924 US galsTanks – water2,000 litres, 440 Imp gals, 528 US galsSail area (150% foretriangle) 448.03sq m (4,823sq ft)Air draft 37.60m (123’ 3”)SUMMER 2013 OYSTER NEWS 109