THE OYSTER 595

The boat we are building is an Oyster 595. It is not something you can simply buy from a showroom. We will have the twenty second 595 ever built, which means if you want one, you build it from scratch.

We knew we wanted a boat large enough to comfortably carry family and friends, while still being something we could handle on our own. That put us squarely in the sixty foot range. At that size, the list of serious builders becomes very short.  After extensive research and visits to multiple manufacturers, we chose Oyster.

Oyster is an iconic British brand with a well earned reputation. Since 1973 they have built more than one thousand sailing yachts, which together have logged over twenty million nautical miles. The design of the 595 is thoughtful and restrained. It is comfortable, exceptionally well laid out, and well structured  for long ocean passages.

This is a true bluewater cruiser. A boat designed to go anywhere. One day, we hope to sail her to Antarctica.

Equally important is how the boat is engineered. Oyster yachts are robust without being overbuilt, refined without being fragile. Many systems are automated, which means the boat can be safely and confidently handled by two people. That balance between capability and manageability was critical for us.

We were also drawn to Oyster’s culture. They do not just build boats. They actively encourage owners to use them. In 2028, we will be circumnavigating the globe as part of the Oyster World Rally. More than one hundred Oyster yachts have already completed global circumnavigations, which says a great deal about both the boats and the company behind them.

We placed our deposit in August of 2023 to secure our place in the build queue. Manufacturing began in January of 2024, and we expect to commission the yacht in May of 2026.

The build is slightly longer than average, largely because we opted to install a carbon fiber bimini. This will be the first of its kind on an Oyster 595. In our research, the most common request from owners was more protection from sun and weather. This design can be fully open or fully enclosed, depending on conditions, and it also supports substantial solar generation.

At peak output, the system can generate over 1,200 watts of power. More than enough to comfortably support life aboard while underway.

The hull was built at Oyster Composite Technologies in Norfolk, England. Despite the high tech name, you reach the facility by driving through a cow pasture, which feels very on brand for England. The hull mold is green, which dominates the early build photos. At an inch and a half thick, the hull is immensely strong. That phase of construction took approximately three to four months.

From there, the boat moved to Wroxham, England, where the fit out began. She will remain there until around March of 2026, when she splashes at Fox’s Marina in Ipswich. From that point, things accelerate quickly. The bimini is mounted, the mast and rigging go up, and final systems are completed. Commissioning and handover are scheduled for the week of May 25, 2026.

The photos you will see in this section follow the build chronologically.

Over the course of the build, there are hundreds of decisions to make. Fixed or adjustable keel. We chose fixed. Traditional or extended transom. We went extended. Cabin layouts, engines, electronics, sails, thrusters, navigation systems, anchors, Starlink, deck materials, fabrics, even where the boat is registered.

Every choice is documented in what Oyster calls a Master Work List. Ours is twenty two pages long in ten point font.

Some decisions are serious. Some are amusing. The boat, we were told, looks best with cashmere throws on the beds. They are strictly for aesthetics.

RayDar Love is equipped for safety, comfort, and extended time at sea. There are four cabins and two full heads. She sleeps eight comfortably, ten if you include the saloon daybed. Fuel range under power is approximately 1,500 nautical miles, depending on conditions.

On board systems include heating and air conditioning, washer and dryer, dishwasher, refrigerator, induction stove, microwave, ice maker, and a passarelle, which saves you from leaping awkwardly between dock and boat.

The navigation system is highly automated, and Starlink provides connectivity anywhere in the world. There is even a gas barbecue for cooking whatever happens to be caught that day.

Energy management is handled by six lithium iron phosphate batteries, paired with 1,200 watts of solar generation. It is a well designed system with redundancy and resilience built in.

There are also a few indulgences. Lighting for the mast, rigging, underwater hull, and interior can all be controlled from an iPhone. The saloon television rises remotely when needed and supports FaceTime calls.

The sails are by North Sails, using their 3Di composite technology. Our sail inventory includes a furling mainsail, Yankee, staysail, and a helix furling gennaker with the RayDar Love logo. For the world rally we will add twin furling headsails. All sail handling is managed by electronic winches, with primary controls accessible directly at the helm. Typical cruising speed is eight to nine knots, with higher speeds possible depending on conditions.

For fun, we carry full SCUBA gear, titanium folding bicycles, fishing equipment, an inflatable paddleboard, a Seascooter, and a variety of floats for anchoring days. A fourteen foot carbon fiber tender is carried on the stern davits for trips ashore.

Boarding is typically via the passarelle onto the extended transom, which provides generous space. Enough, in fact, for Ray to practice rhythm dancing. Forward of that is the cockpit under the carbon fiber bimini, with dual helms, guest seating, a table, and a small refrigerator.

Below decks, the saloon features Oyster’s signature seascape windows, tall vertical panes that allow you to watch the ocean rush past at eye level. The galley is to port, efficient and modern, with a Quooker tap that delivers boiling water instantly.

The owner’s cabin is aft with a queen sized berth, settee, and private head. Additional cabins include bunks, a double berth, and a forward VIP cabin.

The interior is finished in American walnut, with maple inlays in the sole. It is warm, understated, and timeless.

RayDar Love is not about excess. It is about intention. Every choice reflects how we want to move through the world. Thoughtfully, comfortably, and with genuine appreciation for the vessel that makes it all possible.