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Oyster 56
Designer: Rob Humphreys  ·  Builder: Oyster Marine Ltd.  ·  First built: 1996
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About the Oyster 56

Renowned for blending luxury with genuine offshore capability, the Oyster 56 sits comfortably within Oyster Yachts' celebrated lineage of blue-water cruisers. Built by the British yard that has earned a devoted following among serious ocean sailors, this model carries the brand's hallmark commitment to quality construction, thoughtful engineering, and long-passage readiness. Designed with extended offshore voyaging in mind, the Oyster 56 appeals to sailors who want to venture beyond coastal waters without sacrificing comfort or safety. Oyster yachts are widely regarded for their robust build quality, well-balanced sailing characteristics, and highly refined interiors that make life aboard enjoyable on passages of any length. The 56 offers enough volume and range to serve as a genuine liveaboard or circumnavigation vessel, while remaining manageable for a capable couple or small crew. For buyers researching a serious cruising yacht, the Oyster name carries significant weight in the bluewater community. Strong resale values and an active owner network further add to its appeal. If you're considering an extended voyage or simply want a dependable, well-appointed passagemaker, the Oyster 56 deserves a close look.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 57.33 ft / 17.47 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 47.50 ft / 14.48 m
Beam 16.17 ft / 4.93 m
Max Draft 7.83 ft / 2.39 m
Displacement 57,320.00 lb / 26,000 kg
Ballast 17,460.00 lb / 7,920 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 1,418.00 ft² / 131.74 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Cutter
Construction FG
Designer Rob Humphreys
Builder Oyster Marine Ltd.
First Built 1996
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Performance Ratios
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
15.33
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
43.15
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
1.68
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. 9.24
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
How It Compares

vs. Hylas 56, Swan 56, Taswell 56

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Oyster 56 ★
57.3 ft
Hylas 56
54.1 ft
Swan 56
57.5 ft
Taswell 56
55.8 ft
LWL
Oyster 56 ★
47.5 ft
Hylas 56
46.0 ft
Swan 56
49.5 ft
Taswell 56
46.8 ft
Beam
Oyster 56 ★
16.2 ft
Hylas 56
15.8 ft
Swan 56
15.5 ft
Taswell 56
16.5 ft
Displacement
Oyster 56 ★
57 lbs
Hylas 56
50 lbs
Swan 56
43 lbs
Taswell 56
48 lbs
Ballast
Oyster 56 ★
17 lbs
Hylas 56
20 lbs
Swan 56
13 lbs
Taswell 56
19 lbs
Sail Area
Oyster 56 ★
1 sq ft
Hylas 56
1 sq ft
Swan 56
1 sq ft
Taswell 56
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Oyster 56 ★
15.3
Hylas 56
21.5
Swan 56
19.5
Taswell 56
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Oyster 56 ★
Hylas 56
39.9 %
Swan 56
31.9 %
Taswell 56
40.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Oyster 56 ★
43.2
Hylas 56
40.5
Swan 56
33.2
Taswell 56
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Oyster 56 ★
1.68
Hylas 56
1.72
Swan 56
1.78
Taswell 56
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Oyster 56 ★
Hylas 56
230
Swan 56
158
Taswell 56
211
Hull Speed
Oyster 56 ★
9.2 kts
Hylas 56
9.1 kts
Swan 56
9.4 kts
Taswell 56
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