The design of a potential successor to the outstanding Oyster 45, which in turn replaced the hugely successful Oyster 435 was always going to present a big challenge to Rob Humphreys and the Oyster Design Team.
Improving the excellent Oyster 45 was a daunting task. It is a relatively high volume yacht offering outstanding accommodation for its overall length but still managing to combine outstanding sea-keeping qualities with a good turn of speed. It was agreed at a very early stage that any replacement would need to be better than the outgoing model in every respect - performance, stability, comfort, accommodation and styling.
After months of working on a prototype, optimization through advanced three-dimensional modelling techniques and the use of advanced design and visualization tools, the Oyster Design Team felt they would be able to achieve their target. A significantly faster, more stable hull form was created, allowing a voluminous accommodation layout, spacious load carrying topped with a sleeker deck and superstructure - the new Oyster 46 was born.
Oyster 46
On first impressions you might think the new Oyster 46 is similar in size to her predecessor, however you do not have to look too far to realise this is a completely different creation. This new design will return higher average cruising speeds combined with more comfort and stability. Look no further than the waterline length - the new Oyster 46 has 2 ft. & 7 inches more waterline length, more beam, 3600 lbs more displacement and 186 square feet more sail area. It soon becomes clear to see that this new design, whilst only being slightly longer, is in fact significantly bigger and will offer more exciting sailing performance, comfort and all round stability.
In line with the latest Oyster developments in style, the superstructure is relatively lower and sleeker than earlier Deck Saloon designs, incorporating compound curvature throughout the deck design. This means that on-deck surfaces are curved, to a greater or lesser extent, resulting in a softer, more streamlined look that reduces the apparent height of the Deck Saloon superstructure. In common with all Oyster models the 46 features the characteristic opening front windows, though these are significantly larger than those fitted on the 45. This gain has been brought about by the dynamically raked forward window panels in this latest generation style of Oysters and brings with it the added benefit of even more light below.
A raised GRP bulwark with teak capping rail gives a significantly stronger hull to deck joint and more safety at sea and an upgraded engine package offering almost 50% more power offers significant improvements under engine. A standard electronics package of ocean-going autopilot, sailing instruments, GPS and VHF provide the foundation for the navigator’s requirements.
The new Oyster 46 offers a three-cabin accommodation layout, allowing six to sleep in comfort, without using the saloon. The owner enjoys an en-suite heads and shower, whilst the forward two cabins share a comfortable heads and shower. This can also double-up as a day heads when additional guests are on board for the day. The spacious accommodation of the 45 will be replicated in this new model and further enhanced by additional headroom throughout.
Oyster 46
The cockpit has about 15% more volume than it’s predecessor and has benefited both from the extra beam provided by the new hull as well as lessons learnt from professional ergonomic studies and years of sailing experience. The 46 incorporates as standard a substantial lazarette with a lock-down teak laid access hatch. On deck headsail furling and fully battened mainsail take full advantage of a taller rig to make best advantage of the 16% increase in sail area. The shorthanded sailor can still specify in-mast furling as an option.
Better by design has been the theme in use throughout the development of the new Oyster 46 and we feel this modern, fluid and homogenous design gives the yacht an elegance and impact more normally reserved for far larger yachts, while still retaining the classic family “look” that so characterises an Oyster.
Hand lay-up GRP hull and deck Outer hull laminate in Vinylester resin, powder-bound mat One year warranty - 3 years GRP below waterline Hull cove line and double boot-top Antifoul - 2 coats HPB (High Performance Bulb) external lead keel Fully-protected skeg-hung rudder
Oyster 46
Deck layout and equipment: Centre cockpit - wheel steering, with leather cover Whitlock ’Royale’ steering pedestal, SIRS compass Self-draining teak-laid cockpit Liferaft stowage in custom stainless steel pushpit Reverse stern with bathing platform Large lazarette in stern deck Stainless steel transom ladder Sprayhood Cored deck and coachroof laid with teak GRP upstand bulwark with teak capping and Oyster custom stainless steel fairleads Stainless steel mooring cleats - 6 off Gateway midship stanchions Lewmar self-tailing primary winches - 58 CST Lewmar electric anchor windlass - capstan on deck - V-4 Stainless steel grabrails atop deck saloon Lewmar hatches and deck gear Gebo opening hullports in topsides - 4 off Oyster deck saloon - 2 forward windows open "Eyebrow" feature on deck saloon
Rig and sail handling: Keel-stepped mast, with deck collar and hull reinforcement Seldén mast and boom with fully-battened slab reefing, anodised finish Headsail furling system, with line led aft to cockpit Full battened mainsail and furling genoa - Dolphin Sails Alloy vang strut, blocks and tackle - Seldén Sail numbers Lewmar racing blocks
Interior: American white oak interior joinery Optional choice of cherry, teak or maple joinery Oyster custom locker door fittings Mica laminate to galley worktops Avonite finish to heads and WC counter tops "Chequer-board" style teak cabin sole Lee screen on sea berths Quality upholstery on all berths Custom composite foam mattress to owners aft berth Alcantara upholstery in saloon - buttoned finish Curtain system to all cabins, including Oyster deck saloon
Oyster 46
Domestic systems: Pressurised hot and cold water Hot and cold shower with electric discharge - 2 off ITT Jabsco manual WC - 2 off Force 10, stainless steel gas cooker, 4 burners, grill and oven Electric solenoid gas safety shut-off valve, switched at galley Fire blanket - 1 off Front-opening cool box Electric galley discharge pump - 1 off 12v Frigomatic refrigeration in front opening box
Engine and engineering: Volvo D2-75 diesel engine, 150S Saildrive 4-bladed folding prop Racor water separator with remote light Fuel tank 12v dedicated engine start battery - 88 Amphours Electric engine room fan - 1 off Automatic engine room fire extinguisher with remote light - 1 off Manual bilge pump, operated from the cockpit Electric bilge pump with 3-way control
Electrics: 12v DC for engine and ship’s electrical systems "Deep-cycle" batteries, in cells of 6v - 230 Amphours Alternator for battery charging - 115 Amp Stereo CD/FM radio, 2 saloon and 2 cockpit speakers 220v ring main with dockside power cable 220v immersion heater fitted to hot water calorifier
Navigational electronics: Autopilot - Raymarine Sailing instruments - Raymarine ST 60 VHF radio telephone - Raymarine 240 Chart plotter and GPS, interfaced with Autopilot - Raymarine C80
Loose equipment: Heyco marine toolkit Fire extinguishers - 4 off 4 fenders and 2 docklines Anchor and chain - 44 lbs CQR + 18 ft. chain Chain relieving strop Boathook, scrubber, ensign staff Oyster custom Wedgwood bone china dinner service - for 8 Oyster custom Sheffield stainless steel cutlery set - for 8 Set of high quality tumblers and wine goblets - for 8 Hydrometer - battery tester - 1 off Owner’s manual with set of schematic drawings
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