Design & Construction
Oyster has brought hull moulding back in-house for the 565, a move that underlines the yard’s intent to control every stage of the build, and a Lloyd’s Register surveyor inspects each yacht weekly to approve the design, materials, and quality of the hulls and decks. The result is a medium-displacement vessel with roughly 10 percent more internal volume than the 575 it replaces, even though its hull length is shorter; the waterline is actually longer. The construction embodies the best traditions of British yacht design, and the builder is famous for its fine finish work and engineering—a reputation the 565 upholds with details such as cedar-lined, lit, and ventilated wardrobes, headlining mounted on Velcro, and floorboards secured with the Fastmount panel system. Beneath the saloon sole, a deep bilge sump in the keel stub collects water from limber holes throughout the boat, and the bilge pumps are mounted on removable plates so strainers can be cleaned easily. Two large bronze seawater inlets beneath the companionway serve domestic and engine systems separately but are cross-linked so one can substitute for the other if a blockage occurs, and the surrounding pipes are clearly labelled ‘Lloyds approved’.
Rig & Handling
The fractional sloop rig is deliberately simple: an in-mast furling mainsail and a roller-furling blade jib replace the cutter-rigged headsails of earlier Oysters, a choice that helps the boat point higher and tack or gybe faster. One tester noted that, despite a personal aversion to in-mast furling, the ability for a single person to set and furl the main without leaving the helm outweighed any misgivings. Both furlers have sockets that permit manual winching or operation with a cordless drill, and the builder claims a fully charged 18V drill will manage 15 mainsail furls. Sail controls and sheets are led to the twin helms yet kept clear of the guest cockpit, with the mainsheet winch positioned directly abaft and within reach of the helmsman; there is no traveller option, as the builder believes a powerful vang and clear cockpit access are more important for the typical owner. The boat carries twin rudders that provide forgiving handling and total control; one tester reported that when the apparent breeze reached the high 20s and the leeward gunwale was immersed, the helm remained light with only a slight increase in weather helm. Performance figures from sea trials showed consistent speeds of 9 to 9.5 knots in flat water with winds in the low teens under an asymmetric spinnaker, and a steady 10 knots once the breeze built to Force 5.
Accommodations
The deck and interior layouts reflect a philosophy of separating sailing and living zones. The cockpit has been moved aft, creating a dedicated helming area with twin wheels and deep footwells that make you feel in, rather than on top of, the boat, while the guest cockpit forward shelters a large fixed table with an insulated cool box under a sprayhood and optional bimini or full enclosure. The standard layout places a large master suite aft with a walk-around double berth, a love seat, ample lockers, and an en-suite head, while a double cabin forward shares a large head with a Pullman cabin that has upper and lower singles. Alternatively, the master suite can be moved forward into a commodious cabin with a centerline double, an L-shaped sofa, and a huge head, leaving two quarter cabins aft with side-access double berths—a small detail that makes the berths easier to make up, keeps pillows from falling off at night, and simplifies getting in and out. The galley sits in the passageway leading aft, with sinks nearly on the centerline so they drain on both tacks, a large stove and oven opposite, and ample counter space plus a large fridge and freezer. The saloon dinette seats six comfortably with a couple of folding chairs, and a large settee across from it doubles as a sea berth; aft of that, a spacious chart table allows a navigator to spread out a Chartbook and monitor instruments, radios, and ship systems. A utility cabin amidships functions as a workroom-cum-laundry with an optional pilot berth and provides access to the walk-in engine room.
Known Issues & Refits
The move toward greater volume and a more modern aesthetic has not pleased every traditionalist—the design does away with a skeg-hung rudder and cutter-rigged headsails, features some cruisers will mourn. A more tangible criticism emerged during testing: the sole panels in the otherwise quiet interior can creak, a flaw the reviewer felt Oyster needs to address. The companionway steps are flat and steep, which one tester found made going below feel less secure when the boat was heeled, suggesting curved sides would be more practical. On the systems side, the yacht is built on a semi-custom basis with a long list of options, so no two 565s will be exactly alike, and owners can tailor the layout and equipment to their preferences.
The Verdict
The Oyster 565 successfully modernises the centre-cockpit cruising formula without abandoning the qualities that built the brand’s following. It offers more volume, a longer waterline, and a simpler, more easily handled rig than the models it replaces, while retaining the luxurious fit-out and robust engineering expected of a British semi-custom yacht. The twin-rudder hull delivers confident, forgiving handling, and the separation of cockpit zones makes it as pleasant at anchor as it is capable on passage. A few ergonomic niggles and the absence of traditional features like a skeg-hung rudder may give some purists pause, but the boat’s performance and build integrity make a compelling case for its contemporary direction.
Pros
- Longer waterline and 10 percent greater volume than the Oyster 575, with beam carried well aft.
- Simple fractional sloop rig with hydraulic furling and blade jib allows easy short-handed handling and higher pointing.
- Twin rudders deliver forgiving, light-helm handling even when pressed hard on the wind.
- Semi-custom interior with two distinct layout options, cedar-lined wardrobes, and a spacious, well-appointed saloon.
- Walk-in engine room, deep bilge sump, and Lloyd’s Register oversight underscore serious engineering.
Cons
- No skeg-hung rudder or cutter-rig option, which may disappoint traditional bluewater cruisers.
- Sole panels can creak, undermining the otherwise quiet interior ambiance.
- Flat, steep companionway steps feel less secure when heeled.
- No mainsheet traveller option; reliance on a powerful vang may not satisfy all sailing preferences.
