Oyster 53

Oyster produced the 53 model from 1999 - 2008, and 52 hulls of this model were built. This hull is #51/52.

This is a one-owner boat, and the owners specified a number of custom features during the build. Those that were not specified during the build process were added at a later date after their experience with extended cruising proved helpful in dictating other necessary additions.

The cruising history of this vessel is impressive -- and includes a circumnavigation as part of the 2013-2014 Oyster World Rally and a cumulative total of ~75,000 miles.

It is obvious that this vessel has been cared for exceptionally well. The hull, decks, rigging, and interior are all brilliant, and the vessel elicits positive comments from even the saltiest bystanders.

In the last few years she has been more-or-less home-ported out of Port Townsend, Washington. In 2021 she underwent an extensive 7-month refit on the hard at the Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op, a renowned and well-regarded boatyard & shipyard. She has been in for a variety of other maintenance in subsequent years.

The owners have kept meticulous logs of all upgrades, maintenance, service items, and more. Several binders of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Manuals, Build Documents from Oyster Yachts are aboard and maintained.

An inventory of 670 different type of spare items (1014 total items total, after accounting for duplicates) appropriate for extended cruising are stored tidily aboard in 90 different locations. The owner will provide a spreadsheet detailing the specifics.

The owners of this vessel have maintained a fantastic Cruising Blog spanning at least a decade which documents port calls, friends, and ocean passages. The passage that follows is an excerpt from their blog: "The next stage in our continuing journey was the passage from La Paz, Mexico to Nuku Hiva in the mountainous, volcanic Marquesas Archipelago. This is one of the longest stretches of open water that a circumnavigator encounters. We had forgotten how beautiful the skies over the Pacific Ocean were. During the day, azure skies with trade wind clouds and the blinding orb of the mighty sun. At sunset the sea darkens to a cobalt blue, the dying rays of a molten orange sun light up the clouds, followed by star speckled heavens, glittering in the dark navy sky with phosphorescence shadowing the boat’s wake. The shock comes when the moon rises slowly out of the ocean, momentarily putting the watchman on alert that he or she has missed a vessel on AIS or radar, only to heave a huge sigh of relief when it is identified as La lune. The dawn creeps up slowly chasing the darkness away, firstly grey then blue skies appear and the intense heat starts to build up. Passages such as this allows you to think, contemplate life, change plans and most of all, reflect on the past, present and anticipate the future." Contact the listing broker for the URL to the blog if you'd like to read more!

Bob Perry's review of the Oyster 53 in Sailing Magazine has some positive remarks, notably: "They have a nice feel and usually show careful detailing and choice of hardware. I think this new 53 epitomizes what a lot of cruising sailors are looking for today... An attractively detailed, well-laid-out, center-cockpit cruiser."

According to Oyster Yachts marketing literature, "the 53 is also the smallest Oyster that offers a four cabin layout... Fast, well balanced, superb in poor weather and simple to handle, the 53 is deservedly more of one of our most sought after designs."

This vessel's systems have recently been overhauled and more recently serviced, and this Oyster 53 is ready to cruise. It would appear that there is nothing a prospective owner would need to do except for bring aboard some personal items, receive a pass-down, and set sail for distant horizons.

These boat details are subject to contract.
Note: Offers on the asking price may be considered.