Oyster 56

The 56 is our most popular model ever, seventy-five were launched between 1998 and 2010 and it is perhaps the quintessential Oyster design. During that time the 56 was the undisputed class leader and did more than any other design to establish the 56-59' (17-18m) size range as the ideal for owners without crew; large and spacious enough for fast ocean cruising and to accommodate her crew in safety, comfort and style when living aboard, but also compact enough to be handled by a couple.

The 56 was the first Oyster design to be drawn for us by Rob Humphreys, beginning a partnership that continues to this day, and he certainly got it right first time! It is a case of evolution rather than revolution, so the 56 retained earlier successful Oyster design features; the single-skin hull construction with stiffness provided by massive ribs and stringers, keel-stepped mast, and the full-length rudder skeg protecting the entire rudder blade. The 56 was also our first yacht to benefit from an ergonomically designed cockpit, designed in conjunction with Loughborough University, creating a space which makes relaxing and entertaining a true pleasure, whilst maintaining all the essential qualities you would expect of a serious ocean-going yacht.

STARDUST is hull number 64 in the series and like all the last fifteen hulls was graced with the G5 (fifth generation) deck, which gives an elegant and sweeping window line to the deck saloon. She is still in her original ownership and has benefitted from light use with just 1600 hours on the engine and ongoing professional care and maintenance. Push button hydraulic furling to her mainsail, genoa and staysail make Stardust simple to handle for a shorthanded crew while also allowing the shortening of sail from the safety of the cockpit, and the mainsail and genoa were both new in 2024. The interior is hand-finished in teak, where she sleeps up to seven in four cabins, without using the saloon. A recent electronic upgrade in 2022 saw new multifunction displays, plotters, radar scanner, AIS and VHF.

STARDUST is a beautiful and well-cared-for late model 56 ideally located for Caribbean cruising, and only for sale as the owner is about to take delivery of his brand new Oyster.