Oyster 74.5

[Zing]

It's neither a couples cruiser or a super yacht, would a couple want to have a deck hand and cook / chef stowed away up front I doubt it. It is a charter yacht for an aspirational couple or two couples that can sail in nice warm waters at the right time of year.
Smaller is the right size for a well heeled couple that want to cruise with land based luxury and no crew 60 foot give or take imo.

All, or nearly all owners in this size do in fact have paid crew. I agree, it’s a bit small for that. Needs must I suppose. It won’t be owned for charter, that’s always a secondary activity with expensive yachts. Charter just can’t pay properly.

 

[Wansworth]

I like the thought of the butler staggering along the windward rail holding on tothe guardrail looking down at the vast expanse of teak decking hoping he can deliver the owners GandT balanced on the silver tray…..

 

[Wansworth]

Looked at the official blurb with mr Sheehan giving a wonderful salestalk.Actually it mentions crew quarters and having a crew so obviously the crew were having a Kip in the advert.There was no mention of a dinghy with an outboard I assume it was stowed under the aft deck ready to use,now that could have been a point to bring up.
The working ofthe yacht is from the aft deck apparently not to upset guests so crew are expected to work out in Exposed on aft deck handling sheets etc.Thedesigner Humphreys seems happy so must be alright,maybe in nice conditions but what of the conditions SaiaboutVic related

 

[Fr J Hackett]

There is an option to have fully controlled from the helm reefing of both main and foresails and also cutter rig but obviously all electro hydraulic controls. I don't see any problems with the aft deck indeed it's much more enclosed and all round better design than the CNB 66 in Vics post.
However I don't see this as a 2 person boat again it's going to require 3 or even 4 to run it. I also don't see a problem with going to the mast to reef as in the boat Sheehan was reviewing at 75 foot it's going to be a relatively stable platform for an experienced sailor but I would like to see some protection there and along the side decks but when all is said and done it's not that sort of boat.

 

[Lozzer]

Just found this thread, how interesting peoples views are. I was the skipper of 745/01, was part of the build program for my boss and ran it for him for three years until we started a new build and sold it. The yacht is actually a lot easier to sail than some of you might think. Two-handed is very possible as everything is electric or hydraulic. Bow and stern thruster makes life a little easier when it comes to mooring. As for sea keeping we got caught in the gulf of Lyon, boat happily sailing along at 12-16 knots. Now looking forward to getting delivery of 885 sII.

 

[Gsailor]

The last Oyster I sailed had 3 of us on board - 65 foot IIRC - 2nd hand price was £750k

Electric winches.

The engine gave problems (or at least various alarms).

None of the electronic gauges over the garage worked.

Middle of night the autohelm failed and the hydraulics as part of it, so the steering was by hand and very stiff.

Was a bit of a nightmare. It was only about 5 years old.

It was very nice below - plush with washing machine etc.

 

[davidej]

Its a bit of a tease not to provide a link or copy the photo into your post. Was it this couple? Maybe they had a falling out over the cushion cover choice? or she's having doubts about him since her friends man got a bluer ensign.

View attachment 140566

Its like those photos of holiday resorts that they take at 4 in the morning when there are no screaming children running around the pool. They know people don't like sharing with other people so they make it seem like its going to be your exclusive experience. OR people with this much money can pay people to crew for them who agree to run down below and hide between each tack!

Are they actually sailing this? I can’t see much sign of main or jib sheets!

 

[Stemar]

Hitting the nail on the head.

I skippered a 57 with a novice crew. Berthing stern-to in strong cross winds does need a few hands because the bow blows off so quickly. Out on the sea, it is a little easier. Would not fancy berthing short handed on a 75, but they probably do not need to go into port (or cannot) very often.

On a boat of that size and budget, I'd expect both bow and stern thrusters - better still the computerised system I read about a few years ago that moves the boat in the direction you push the joystick - even sideways, then holds it in place while you wander round attaching lines.

Still don't want anything that big, even after a multi-rollover.

 

[RivalRedwing]

there is always the second hand market
Scottish Conservative Baroness Puts Lavish Yacht for Sale for $11 Million.

 

[dunedin]

Are they actually sailing this? I can’t see much sign of main or jib sheets!

Other than from sail to deck, all ropes will be hidden under the deck and either come to a captive reel below deck (the bigger stuff) or in this case to the winches abaft the helm. All powered by (lots of) little buttons in the dashboard by each wheel.

 

[Tomaret]

there is always the second hand market
Scottish Conservative Baroness Puts Lavish Yacht for Sale for $11 Million.

Presumably not everything in the photos is included in the sale - I’d certainly want vacant possession on completion.

 

[newtothis]

Spot the quality of the journalism.

 

[Sybarite]

You've broadened your boat search criteria?

Appropriate this post as I was beginning to think about upgrading....
Sybaris, le superyacht de luxe inégalé de l'année 2017

 

[LittleSister]

Appropriate this post as I was beginning to think about upgrading....
Sybaris, le superyacht de luxe inégalé de l'année 2017

I might be interested. Is it set up for single-handing?

 

[Sybarite]

I might be interested. Is it set up for single-handing?

OK but might be a mite tricky when it comes to hopping out to tie up to the pontoon.

 

[RivalRedwing]

OK but might be a mite tricky when it comes to hopping out to tie up to the pontoon.

at 70m long I do wonder how many pontoons will accommodate her

 

[LittleSister]

at 70m long I do wonder how many pontoons will accommodate her

Don't worry, there's usually someone's vacant mooring buoy around you could borrow.

 

[Bouba]

A Beneteau dealer once invited me on his 65 foot yacht that I just watched him single handle into port…every sail was available at a push of a button from the helm. Very nice boat down below as well

 

[LittleSister]

A Beneteau dealer once invited me on his 65 foot yacht that I just watched him single handle into port…every sail was available at a push of a button from the helm.

What, leaving the skipper with no crew or inconvenient layout to blame?

 

[Daydream believer]

So at the expense of a thread drift. What does the team think is a sensible max size for 2 handed sailing. ie husband & wife who are ,say, in retirement- which for the point of discussion lets say 55 years becaus that would match the wealth level.
I assisted a Dutch chap move a 50ft Contest in Ostend- It was beautiful. He said that he sailed it with just himself & wife ( she had gone shopping!!) & found no problems doing long day sails , which suited them. He manouvered it into a tight space with total ease- stern & bow thrusters- & all I had to do was pick up a line at the bow as he moored stern on. I do not know what happens when the hydraulics fail or the engine develops a fault though. They do.
I still thought it too big, but an old friend of mine has a Hanse 45 which he sails with his wife. They are both really into sailing. He has numerous dinghies & keelboats for racing & he has bought her a corby 25 for weekday racing with an all lady crew. So that pairing is a bit more experienced than many.
So what does the team think sensible if they were really going two up. Not what they might dream about.