9:20am Saturday 6th February 2010
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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