Oyster 575-01's maiden voyage (From Boating Cornwall)

Oyster 575-01's maiden voyage

9:20am Saturday 6th February 2010

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The new Oyster 575-01 has been out on its maiden voyage.

The boat went out on January 28, with temperatures just above freezing and a perfect 10-14 knots from the north east creating flat waters off Harwich in Essex.

Rob Hydeman from Oyster was on board.

He said: “The Oyster 575 steps into fairly hallowed territory as far as I am concerned. The Oyster 56 was my very first Oyster design and after such a successful model, with over 75 built, it was a trifle daunting to be revisiting a similar design space.

“Cruising down the River Orwell on board 575-01 gave plenty of time to reflect, even with the boat setting a brisk pace as she motored effortlessly past the Suffolk countryside. Yacht design is much more of a science than it used to be but there is still plenty of art in it, and as for emotion – well, that comes by the barrel-load.

“So, with the excitement of a maiden voyage moderated very slightly by respect for the pleasure and indeed comfort that 56s have given their owners and crews over the years, it was quite a moment when the sails were unfurled to the icy breeze. Worthy, or not? That, to borrow from a real artist, is the ques Bite and spirit she delivered, and happily that delight was conveyed through the freezing extremities of the helmsman’s fingers.”

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