Tim Good
Well-known member
Has anyone sailed one of these and can give an accurate indication of sea keeping, accommodation and overall fit out / build quality?
Merci!
Merci!
Oyster 435 - views & opinions?
- Thread starter Tim Good
- Start date
Tradewinds
Well-known member
Talk to Demonboy.
Sailed his 435 Esper extensively & now re-fettling her.
See here.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-links-to-video-clips-etc)&highlight=demonboy
PS: I think leaking chain plates can be an issue.
Sailed his 435 Esper extensively & now re-fettling her.
See here.
http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...-links-to-video-clips-etc)&highlight=demonboy
PS: I think leaking chain plates can be an issue.
tudorsailor
Well-known member
If you are thinking of buying one, I can put you in touch with some owners through the Oyster Owners group that I run on Google. PM me with you email address and I will see what I can do to help
TudorSailor
TudorSailor
Javelin
Well-known member
I delivered one back from Faro a couple of years back.
Nothing much happens below 8 knots although as soon as it hit 9 or above she was a dream.
In big sea's and 35 - 40 knts across Biscay she was steady and always gave the impression of solidity and felt secure.
Down below in a blow was weird as as soon as you got below everything went quiet except for trying to sleep above the auto helm in the aft cabin.
The galley is really well positioned and I remember having a three course roast chicken meal in 20+ knots.
That said the centre cockpit does feel a little exposed, especially at night in a blow.
The Wheel on this one was possibly a little too big and forced you out of the cockpit to get round it.
She handled well for me under power and found I didn't really need the bow thruster.
We pulled into Alderney as it was above 40kn and forecast for more.
We left 2 days later in a 25 kt SW, caught the double tide at Dover and was tied up at Southwold 30 hours later,
an average of almost 8 knts.
I've done that trip on many boats bigger and smaller and that was the best one by some margin.
I'd say that 95% of the journey was steered by George, the autohelm and even with a large quartering sea she held a stable course with few if any scares.
I used to think that it was the autohelm that was good but having used identical autohelms on other boats I realise now that it was the boat that made life easy.
If I had the money I'd have bought her.
Nothing much happens below 8 knots although as soon as it hit 9 or above she was a dream.
In big sea's and 35 - 40 knts across Biscay she was steady and always gave the impression of solidity and felt secure.
Down below in a blow was weird as as soon as you got below everything went quiet except for trying to sleep above the auto helm in the aft cabin.
The galley is really well positioned and I remember having a three course roast chicken meal in 20+ knots.
That said the centre cockpit does feel a little exposed, especially at night in a blow.
The Wheel on this one was possibly a little too big and forced you out of the cockpit to get round it.
She handled well for me under power and found I didn't really need the bow thruster.
We pulled into Alderney as it was above 40kn and forecast for more.
We left 2 days later in a 25 kt SW, caught the double tide at Dover and was tied up at Southwold 30 hours later,
an average of almost 8 knts.
I've done that trip on many boats bigger and smaller and that was the best one by some margin.
I'd say that 95% of the journey was steered by George, the autohelm and even with a large quartering sea she held a stable course with few if any scares.
I used to think that it was the autohelm that was good but having used identical autohelms on other boats I realise now that it was the boat that made life easy.
If I had the money I'd have bought her.
Nostrodamus
New member
We have the Oyster 45 and would agree with a lot of what has been said above. We can always cook down below, it is very quiet no matter what the conditions and our boat looks after us better than we do her.
doris
Well-known member
Twice came close to buying one cos I think they have the best layout of that size centre cockpit available. Need one with straight settees not curved ones.
Had there been a decent one available 7 years ago would have bought it. Good ones are getting rare, the teak decks are a huge liability.
Had there been a decent one available 7 years ago would have bought it. Good ones are getting rare, the teak decks are a huge liability.
jonic
Well-known member
A well cared for one is an excellent used buy.
I have friends who have had them and we cruised extensively in company with them from the UK to the Caribbean.
I was always impressed with the ride.
I have friends who have had them and we cruised extensively in company with them from the UK to the Caribbean.
I was always impressed with the ride.
Koeketiene
Well-known member
We seriously considered a 435 (Night Sky)when we were looking to buy.
Test sail and everything - was quite smitten with her.
Then current boat (similar build quality/size) came along at 2/3 the prize...
I quite like Oysters, but can't help but thinking that part of the price is just for 'the badge' - if you know what I mean.
Nostrodamus
New member
Out of interest what sort of boat are you referring to as having a similar build quality and size for 2/3 the price?
zendog
New member
We've owned our Oyster435 for just over 4 years and are convinced that we made the right choice for our long term live aboard plans. The build quality and interior joinery are fantastic and the boat has a very reassuring solidity. After 20 years and many modifications and additions from the 3 owners, the electrics are becoming rather convoluted and threading additional wiring behind the woodwork is not easy. The service we receive from Oyster is remarkably good given the age of our boat.
We plan to leave the UK this summer and a 3 month test sail along the French Coast last year has led us to add a bow thruster to compensate for our limited parking skills in Crowded French marinas.
We are delighted with our Oyster and very much looking forward to living on her permanently.
We plan to leave the UK this summer and a 3 month test sail along the French Coast last year has led us to add a bow thruster to compensate for our limited parking skills in Crowded French marinas.
We are delighted with our Oyster and very much looking forward to living on her permanently.
bedouin
Well-known member
Yes - the Oysters do seem to be highly priced compared to some apparently similar boats - however there aren't a lot of them languishing on the market so they are clearly selling at that price.
One of the reasons is that they have one of the best layouts of the boats (I realise that is a personal judgement). On the whole build quality is good and they tend to be well maintained. I would be interested in what other models can be regarded as competing - perhaps I could save a few thou as well
Halcyon Yachts
Well-known member
We recently delivered an Oyster 435 from Portugal to the UK. The crew were all very impressed and spoke highly of the comfort/sea keeping qualities.
They are very nice yachts in my opinion and are perfect for blue water cruising...
Pete
They are very nice yachts in my opinion and are perfect for blue water cruising...
Pete
ip485
Well-known member
I ended up shortlisting Oysters, Moodys and HRs - together with Island Packets. The Islands Packets may not be too everyone's taste, and are not so easy to find, but if you want as good build quality, perhaps even more built proof cruising capability and great volume at perhaps 25% less cost then well worth considering.
Not taking away anything from Oysters, the built quality is impressive. Never the less I had realised that all these manufacturers use much the same parts bin for everything not part of the mold. It is the quality of the other components which is key to serviceability. On anything over perhaps 5 years old you may also find you want to replace some if not the greater part of the electronics anyway.
Koeketiene
Well-known member
Ours - A Kalik 44.
She did need work. We knew that when we bought her.
All in all the refit is comparable to what Deamonboy is now going through with Esper. Though we did not take the interior apart (apart from the headlining) as it is still in VGC.
We lacked the funds to have everything done in one go and had to spread it over a number of years.
geem
Well-known member
We went for a Trintella 44. Similar to the Oyster and also built to very high standard. Ours was a project boat 18 months ago. We have done a huge amount of work on her but this was known when we bought her. Worth a look if you can find one. I think there are a couple for sale in Majorca.
Daydream believer
Well-known member
But remember that good badges do not just appear. They earn their reputation by being better than the opposition
jordanbasset
Well-known member
Looks a very good boat, one here, seems you get a lot of boat for the money, not a make I was aware of
http://www.yachtworld.com/boats/198...5348/Deltaville/VA/United-States#.U0MCGvldUVo
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neil1967
Well-known member
Also worth considering the 435's smaller sister, the 406, which we have. All the points made about the 435 are equally applicable to the 406. We think she is great, but as noted even if you buy a quality old boat, you are likely to need to spend a fair amount updating the electronics, rigging, etc, unless of course it has already been done! Remember it is still a buyers market - we paid 25% less than the asking price.
Neil
Neil
PhillM
Well-known member
Slight drift but I spent a good 15 minutes looking at as Oyster 85 from the quay side at Ocean Village today. What I would have given to have said "stuff work" and gone sailing in her. Doubt I would ever have come back.
Eidelbrekt
New member
Hi,
I am looking at buying an oyster 435 and found this. Would be great you want to put me in touch with some current owners. Hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks, Mattias
