Hull and Deck Design
Humphreys pulled every modern tool available to him. The extensive use of carbon fiber and Kevlar throughout the boat kept displacement in check despite the yacht's generous dimensions — 67 feet 7 inches on deck, an 18-foot 5-inch beam, and a draft of 9 feet 8 inches. The result is a yacht that answers the helm with an urgency you would not expect from something this substantial. The bulb keel places ballast low and efficiently, contributing to a displacement-to-length ratio that rewards upwind work without turning the boat into a tender handful in a seaway.
Deck layout received the same careful attention as the underbody. Wide side decks make moving forward easy, and the twin-helm arrangement removes the usual clutter from the working cockpit — the spacious forward cockpit is safe and uncluttered, with virtually flat deck access from the stern. Serious offshore sailors will appreciate that this is not a cosmetic arrangement: the twin stations are genuine control centers.
Rig and Handling
The sail plan — 2,138 square feet — is ambitious for shorthanded crews, but Oyster integrated systems that make it manageable. All sails can be raised, lowered, and trimmed via the push of a button from the twin helms, meaning a cruising couple can work the rig without leaving the cockpit. In 10 knots of breeze and flat water the 655 produced boat speed ranging from 5 to 8 knots, a creditable range for a yacht of this displacement and a figure that underscores how effectively the lightweight construction translates into sailing performance.
Safety and Offshore Readiness
Safety provisions drew particular praise when the 655 competed for its Cruising World award. Judges found twin life rafts mounted on deck; heavy padeyes for jacklines both on deck and in the cockpit; a dedicated flare locker; easy access to manual bilge pumps; and 30-inch lifeline stanchions. That list is not incidental — it reflects a boat designed by people who understand that offshore sailing demands redundancy and accessibility, not merely the appearance of preparedness. One judge summarized the systems architecture in a single word: "Bombproof."
Accommodations
Below decks the 655 makes full use of its 18-foot beam. The saloon with a U-shaped galley to port creates a spacious and contemporary open-plan living environment, with plenty of counter surfaces and stowage space. The owner's suite sits aft with private access to the deck — an arrangement that gives the primary crew a genuine sanctuary while the three guest cabins forward remain separate and self-contained. Judges who evaluated the boat noted the large master suite, the well-designed galley, the high-quality joinery, and the fact that the boat came equipped with everything needed to sail around the world — including lee cloths, a detail that distinguishes a boat actually built for passage-making from one merely marketed for it.
The Verdict
The Oyster 655 is a rare achievement: a yacht that earns its reputation in the water rather than in the brochure. Humphreys's hull lines and the disciplined use of advanced composites produce a bluewater cruiser that sails with purpose, and the deck and interior have been thought through by people who have spent real time offshore. It is a large, complex yacht that demands — and rewards — a committed owner.
Pros
- Lightweight carbon and Kevlar construction delivers performance unusual at this displacement
- Twin-helm pushbutton sail control makes shorthanded offshore passages genuinely achievable
- Comprehensive safety fit-out reflects genuine offshore design intent rather than compliance minimums
- Spacious owner's suite with private deck access; well-executed open-plan saloon
- Award-winning build quality and systems integration
Cons
- 9-foot-8-inch draft limits access to shoal anchorages and some popular cruising grounds
- Large sail area and complex systems create a steep learning curve for first-time owners
- 17-unit production run means finding a sistership community is smaller than for volume builders
