Back to Search
Oyster 48 Lightwave
Designer: Carl Schumacher  ·  Builder: Oyster Marine Ltd.  ·  First built: 1987
+ Add to Compare
About the Oyster 48 Lightwave

Built by the renowned British yard Oyster Marine, the 48 Lightwave represents the kind of thoughtful, capable bluewater cruiser that has earned Oyster its loyal following among serious offshore sailors. Oyster has long been associated with quality construction, attention to detail, and boats that inspire confidence far from shore, and the Lightwave carries that heritage forward in a package designed for extended ocean passages and comfortable liveaboard cruising. With its emphasis on seakeeping ability and offshore readiness, the 48 Lightwave appeals to sailors looking for a dependable vessel capable of tackling open ocean passages without sacrificing the comforts expected on a longer voyage. Oyster's boats are consistently praised for their sturdy build quality and well-considered deck layouts, making them accessible to couples or small crews managing long passages with reduced fatigue. For the buyer researching this model, the Oyster 48 Lightwave sits in a market segment that prioritizes safety, longevity, and blue-water pedigree. It is the kind of boat purchased with a circumnavigation or extended coastal cruising plan in mind, backed by the reassurance of one of sailing's most respected brand names.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 48.00 ft / 14.63 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 41.67 ft / 12.70 m
Beam 14.33 ft / 4.37 m
Max Draft 6.00 ft / 1.83 m
Displacement 27,000.00 lb / 12,247 kg
Ballast 11,000.00 lb / 4,990 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1,059.00 ft² / 98.38 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Carl Schumacher
Builder Oyster Marine Ltd.
First Built 1987
Last Built 1991
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
62
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
18.9
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
27.64
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.91
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 8.65
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
3.38
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 2.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 62.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 18.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 54.8
E (Mainsail Foot) 18.3
SA Fore 558.0
SA Main 501.42
Find a Oyster 48 Lightwave For Sale