Oyster 595 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

The 595 is built around Oyster's tried-and-tested centre cockpit layout, with a flush foredeck, substantial bowsprit, and a transom whose boarding platform reads like a back porch. Humphreys co-designed the hull with the smaller Oyster 565, and the 595 carries 14% more internal volume than that sister, along with slightly higher sail-area and ballast ratios. Structurally, Oyster's current method uses monolithic carbon-infused structures that are Lloyds-approved and costly but create more stiffness, while an aluminium grid stiffens the floor panels. Twin rudders give stacks of grip yet telegraph load, and the blades are designed to sever in a serious impact, with watertight bulkheads each side of the rudder stocks. Two keel options exist: a standard foil or a centreboard that permits shallower draught.

Rig and Handling

A powerful, massive sail plan is tamed by a hydraulic vang, furlers, electric winches, and an in-mast furling mainsail with excellent vertical battens, while twin helms balance the expansive cockpit. The boat is designed around a couple managing her easily via hydraulics and push-button controls for most sailing and manoeuvring. On the test sail of Hull No. 1, she closehauled at 8.9 knots in 5–8 knots of wind. Under power she proved one of the quietest boats the tester had experienced, with astounding engine-room insulation, and gliding upwind under sail drew not a creak or groan. A fixed shaft hydrogenerator between keel and rudder consistently made 20 amps once at or over 9 knots.

Accommodations

Multiple interior layouts are possible, with an aft owner's cabin as standard or the owner's cabin forward as an alternative; the aft version shows triple vertical hull portlights and 6ft 3in standing headroom at its forward end, while the forward cabin harnesses stellar skylights. The standard midships cabin holds two bunks. Furniture and cabinetry come in cherry, maple, or oak, with the test boat showing light oak, though teak, ash, or walnut are offered, and a saloon table whose butterflies open to reveal marquetry. A passageway galley is superb, with a practical longitudinal layout and standard large fridge, freezer, microwave, hob, oven, and extractor; dishwasher, icemaker, washer-drier, wine fridge, and instant boiling water tap are options. Seven comparatively steep companionway steps lead down, and the navstation sits at 45 degrees.

Equipment and Systems

Standard equipment leans heavily to self-sufficiency and easy handling: retractable bow and stern thrusters, a genset, hydraulics, a Guardian Angel touchscreen and lighting system, C-Zone digital switching at the heart of the electronics, 130m of stainless steel chain with deckwash, and an integral sprit/ground-tackle arrangement. A retractable telescoping passerelle suits Mediterranean mooring. The walk-in engine room with adjoining workroom, excellent sail locker, and generous lazarette round out the practical bones.

The Verdict

The Oyster 595 is a thoroughly modern 30-tonne cruiser that answers the "too big to handle" fear with push-button systems and a stiff, quiet hull. Her volume, light, and couple-friendly controls make long passages plausible for two, while the centreboard and twin-rudder safety thinking show real bluewater intent.

Pros