Oyster 54

The Oyster 54 replaced the 53 in the Oyster range in 2008 and was designed by Rob Humphreys and the Oyster design team as a fast and elegant bluewater cruiser with a little more emphasis on sailing performance. The 54 was drawn with a longer waterline, more sail area, and slightly lighter displacement than her predecessor, while also carrying her beam further aft to enhance her performance, particularly off wind. The rig and her secure centre cockpit, which is around 25% bigger than the 53, are geared towards easy short-handed sailing for a couple. The 54 certainly delivers either as a proven circumnavigator or as a family cruiser. Below decks, she has a simple and seamanlike three-cabin layout, which is as practical as it is beautiful. Oyster launched twenty-one 54s between 2008 and 2013 when a slightly tweaked version, the 545, was launched.

BABE is Oyster 54 hull number 17 and was commissioned and equipped by her current owners for the first Oyster World Rally in 2011. Her rig is a simple and easy sloop with an electric push button furling to her mainsail. Her interior joinery is hand-finished in rare maple, and she has benefited from caring and dedicated owners and had a substantial refit in 2022, which included new standing rigging, batteries and plotters. Now lying on Australia's Gold Coast, BABE is ideally placed to explore those waters or head up into the South Pacific. She is registered on the British Part 1 registry, but the Australian GST and import duties have been paid.