ON TEST: OYSTER 675

There may be New styling and options galore but The 675 is still assuredly an oyster. Toby hodges reports

When it comes to series-building large cruisers, Oyster Yachts is the undisputed world leader. The yard’s evergreen popularity lies with its bluewater cruisers up to 60ft and, more recently, its unrivalled success with 80-footers. But two new launches, the 675 and the 745, herald a new modern look and era for Oyster: the hull shapes, drawn by Humphreys Yacht Design, are more powerful than their predecessors, beamier with greater form stability; they both sport twin rudders, flush foredecks and blade jibs and have more power in their rigs and keels. These two yachts (69ft and 75ft LOA respectively) are still bluewater cruisers but they have been given a very purposeful new image: the stretched coachroof window line marks the style of this new range; the signature wraparound window remains, but with a lower profile than we have seen on past models.

However, what really sets the 675 and

745 apart is the range of options available.