Oyster Yachts gone into administration

Vacuum infusion is a bit of a red herring. The difference between modern GRP layup and the Westerly-era sort is that both glass and resin are now very much more carefully placed...

When the glass is cut by machine and positioned by robot (yeah, and driven by Italians) then the mechanism for getting the resin into it is of less importance.



Here is the CNC machine cutting the cloth:

BavariaYachtCloth.jpg

And the robots with the resin:

BavariaResinRub.jpg

Courtesy Bavaria.
 
Vacuum infusion is a bit of a red herring. The difference between modern GRP layup and the Westerly-era sort is that both glass and resin are now very much more carefully placed, so the finished layup very much more closely matches the expected loads. When the glass is cut by machine and positioned by robot (yeah, and driven by Italians) then the mechanism for getting the resin into it is of less importance.

Control of resin quantity and distribution is absolutely key to making consistent mouldings down to any sort of weight target.
That hasn't changed for several decades.
On a small moulding it may be hard to locate the glass accurately, but on something the size of a 40ft yacht, it's mostly a question of how much resin is used to wet it out.
We are not really talking about the latest technology here, it's polyester, glass, basic core materials.
Compared to aerospace where we were autoclaving aramid honeycomb, epoxy and carbon 30 years ago.
 
I think he meant this impressive facility (admittedly not looking its best after a fire):

2419883846.jpg

Yes, Bridgland's shed. I'm not sure whether it's temperature- and humidity-controlled, like modern moulding facilities, but it's where many Oysters started life.
 
An awful lot of great yachts have been built by people you disparage as 'little men with buckets of resin', and not just by Oyster.
A lot of problems occur when people try to move away from that sort of thing and cock it up.

Indeed, 'little men with buckets of resin' have been building great yachts for years and there are a few builders still using traditional methods to great success.

It will be interesting to see if the quality that Oyster produces increases under new ownership. It has defiantly dropped away in recent years. Reading the report on Polina Star was quite illuminating. The first issue I guess, will be how many of the workforce will return after joining other yards etc.
 
This is what the ex Oyster CEO sent round......

Congratulations to Richard Hadida with his take-over of Oyster Yachts, I’m sure he’ll do a great job taking Oyster through the next chapter of its successful history - thanks to all the team for the fantastic achievements of the last chapter/decade - we’re handing Richard a great range of 7 new models, a more cohesive and global brand identity than when we started and as summed up by Andrew Winch at the Dusseldorf Show, Oyster is the Explorer brand of yachting. I’m sure Richard will lead the next chapter with enthusiasm and care. I’ll look forward to a great Oyster regatta in Palma in September.

sincerely

David
 
This is what the ex Oyster CEO sent round......

Congratulations to Richard Hadida with his take-over of Oyster Yachts, I’m sure he’ll do a great job taking Oyster through the next chapter of its successful history - thanks to all the team for the fantastic achievements of the last chapter/decade - we’re handing Richard a great range of 7 new models, a more cohesive and global brand identity than when we started and as summed up by Andrew Winch at the Dusseldorf Show, Oyster is the Explorer brand of yachting. I’m sure Richard will lead the next chapter with enthusiasm and care. I’ll look forward to a great Oyster regatta in Palma in September.

sincerely

David

No doubt those 7 new models are what caused the problem, then the move to Soton must have cost quite a lot, in move costs, higher wage bill & higher rent.
 
This is what the ex Oyster CEO sent round......

Congratulations to Richard Hadida with his take-over of Oyster Yachts, I’m sure he’ll do a great job taking Oyster through the next chapter of its successful history - thanks to all the team for the fantastic achievements of the last chapter/decade - we’re handing Richard a great range of 7 new models, a more cohesive and global brand identity than when we started and as summed up by Andrew Winch at the Dusseldorf Show, Oyster is the Explorer brand of yachting. I’m sure Richard will lead the next chapter with enthusiasm and care. I’ll look forward to a great Oyster regatta in Palma in September.

sincerely

David

That has all the hallmarks of having been written by a PR professional.
 
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