Design and Construction
The 825's easily driven hull form is the work of Humphreys Yacht Design, and the result is a modern 24-metre yacht that test sailors found light, nimble and remarkably easily driven when sailing. The raised or deck saloon configuration gains more space for the engine room, which sits below the saloon sole. With a length overall of 25.15 metres, waterline of 21.97 metres, beam of 6.31 metres and draft of 3.42 metres, she carries a displacement of 56,000 kg and was designed to sit just under the 24-metre loadline rule. Her high topsides mean there are no steps fore or aft on deck, and the side decks are clear of obstructions thanks to outboard chainplates.
Rig and Handling
The 825's sail plan is organised for clean decks and short-handed control. All winches are positioned aft of the steering pedestals, and the two-to-one mainsheet runs under the deck from the end of the boom. A blade jib keeps the jib tracks at the aft end of the foredeck, with sheets running close to the coachroof coamings. For heavy weather, runners and an inner forestay add security but can both be removed. In light air the approach is effective: with the breeze hovering between 2.5 and four knots, the yacht hoisted an in-boom furled main and unrolled the blade jib, gently trimmed to close to five knots at 30 degrees apparent wind. Owners report having surfed her at 16 knots on the passage past Portugal without much effort, and the yacht can achieve 250 miles per day on long passages without drawing breath.
Accommodations
This is a boat arranged around a clear separation of guest and crew space. The practical and spacious cockpit safely separates guests from sail handling, while a large guest cockpit sits away from lines, sheets and sailing controls and features a generous teak folding table with a built-in fridge. Below, a large full-width saloon gives a remarkable feeling of light and space, further enhanced by a side-sliding glass companionway and the signature vertical Seascape windows; in the lower saloon, three distinctive vertical hull-ports either side sit at the right height for a water-to-horizon view. Owner and guest accommodation is set aft, with a full-beam owner's double cabin toward the stern and three double cabins aft for owner and guests; a fourth guest double can serve as a captain's cabin. Up to four professional crew are accommodated separately, with a longitudinal galley linking guest areas to a crew space that includes a small laundry, twin cabin, head-cum-wet room and a watertight hatch to a large foredeck sail locker. The entire interior can be customised — one 825 had the whole aft area set out as a single owner's apartment, and another replaced a guest double with the galley.
Deck and Outdoor Living
Generous flush decks forward and aft provide clear deck-lounging areas, and with the tender removed a large lounging deck-space forward complements the broad, flat aft-deck area. Removable dinghy chocks seat a 4.5-metre tender forward, launched by a pole system on the mast, and an optional forced-air system eliminates foredeck dorades to keep the foredeck clear. Hooks and eyes in the deckhead for lee cloths show the seaworthy intent even in the finished décor.
Performance Under Power and Range
Under power the 825 is restrained in consumption: she drinks just 12 to 14 litres of fuel per hour at cruising speed with everything running, and Maegan carried 3,000 litres of fuel for a transatlantic range under motor at nine knots, with potential transpacific range if motor-sailing with throttles eased back. The builder claimed twice the tankage capacity across the board of similar yachts.
The Verdict
The Oyster 825 is a serious blue water cruiser that manages to feel both like a superyacht and a genuinely lively sailer. Her easily driven Humphreys hull, clean-deck rig organisation and deeply flexible interior make her a compelling platform for owner or charter use, while the racing record of individual yachts shows the platform is no slug. The main caveats are scale and complexity: at 56 tonnes and 82 feet, she demands professional crew or a very competent owner, and the customisable layouts mean no two are identically specified.
Pros
- Easily driven hull by Humphreys with light, nimble sailing character
- Clear separation of guest and crew spaces with up to four crew accommodated
- Highly customisable interior with multiple saloon and cabin configurations
- Strong passage-making range under power with modest fuel burn
Cons
- Requires professional crew or highly experienced ownership at 82 feet and 56 tonnes
- Custom layouts mean varied specification between individual yachts
- High topsides and 11' 3" draft limit some harbours and anchorages
