Oyester or Discovery

[Davey S2]

If you won the Lottery and decided to jack it all in and sail round the world what would you go for?

I'm not talking about a 150ft Perini Navi crewed by supermodels but a boat you can sail as a couple with a few friends along for the ride.

I don't have a boat and only been sailing once several years ago but after watching things like the Delos videos on Youtube I find myself with a hankering for something like a Discovery 58 and signing up for the Arc rally before pottering around the world for a few years.

P.S just to confirm I haven't won the lottery.

[b14]

A Discovery 58 is a great choice. They are better suited to blue water than the bigger Oysters which are good boats, but a bit more bling than function these days.

I'd personally commission my own boat for it. 60ft, canting lifting keel, water ballast, twin rudder and Open 60-type hull shape but with comfortable accommodation down below to make effectively a fast cruising Open 60. Build it good and solid and have a fast ocean cruiser that you can sail yourself or with friends. You'd probably get change from £4m.

[Vanquish310]

Oysters do the "in harbour" stuff beautifully.
We chose Hallberg RASSY and our 55 took just my wife and I from Sweden, round Britain to the Canaries and then across the Atlantic, followed by four years of cruising up and down the Caribbean chain (not in hurricane season of course) and then back across the Atlantic, in comfort and safety. We rode out the edge of two hurricanes (delta and Epselom) on our crossing over, and basically left the boat to do what it was made for.
Good luck with the lottery, and don't wait too long to live out your dream

[Fishtigua]

I've sailed both the Disco and Oysters. I almost went to work for Oyster, as the old boss was a friend.

I'd buy a custom Disco every time. Tough things, you don't want any poncy swig keels out in the Pacific islands. Strong and simple does it, you're cruising not racing.

A mate has just bought a nutter fast 48 Frenchy lightweight boat for his cruise, his wife is scared of it. What's the point?

[Hard-Drive]

[redacted]

[Blib]

Vanquish310 said:

Oysters do the "in harbour" stuff beautifully.
We chose Hallberg RASSY and our 55 took just my wife and I from Sweden, round Britain to the Canaries and then across the Atlantic, followed by four years of cruising up and down the Caribbean chain (not in hurricane season of course) and then back across the Atlantic, in comfort and safety. We rode out the edge of two hurricanes (delta and Epselom) on our crossing over, and basically left the boat to do what it was made for.
Good luck with the lottery, and don't wait too long to live out your dream

As someone who would get seasick in a pedal boat on the Serpentine, I find this post both horrifying and inspiring at the same time.

[Davey S2]

Vanquish310 said:

Oysters do the "in harbour" stuff beautifully.
We chose Hallberg RASSY and our 55 took just my wife and I from Sweden, round Britain to the Canaries and then across the Atlantic, followed by four years of cruising up and down the Caribbean chain (not in hurricane season of course) and then back across the Atlantic, in comfort and safety. We rode out the edge of two hurricanes (delta and Epselom) on our crossing over, and basically left the boat to do what it was made for.
Good luck with the lottery, and don't wait too long to live out your dream

Sounds amazing. Not something I'm ever likely to do (due to cash, young family and the fact the missus would rather a Sunseeker gin palace) but I'd still love to do something like an ARC crossing as crew for the challenge.

I wouldn't turn my nose up at an Amel 55 or 65 either.

[Rum Runner]

Discovery rather than Oyster....And a Cat rather than any monohull (though I would live with Sundeer/ dashew...lived and run a number of floating devices. CAT No trying to do everything a stupid angle, turn of speed to out run a lot of weather. live in shallow sheltered anchorages because of draft. No rolling on the pick. No clambering up companionway steps. Better ventilation in hot climate. Wide unough to have a proper tender on the back as this is you daily means of transport, your car so at least 25hp rib.The list goes on.
I was quite snotty about the first Cat I ran and after about 1 week decided it was so much the way forward for general cruising espcially in warm climes..and personally no interest doing cruising anymore in the cold. Spoilt goods... Warm only and Cat

[PedroB]

Fishtigua said:

I almost went to work for Oyster, as the old boss was a friend.

Richard Matthews?

If so, I race against him a few times a year. He sails this mean looking bit of kit:

[Fishtigua]

Yes, Richard. He was having terrible trouble get decent boat builders. This was when his own 100 footer being built.

We were members of the same club.

http://www.royal-naval-tot-club.com/

[PedroB]

Fishtigua said:

Yes, Richard. He was having terrible trouble get decent boat builders. This was when his own 100 footer being built.

We were members of the same club.

http://www.royal-naval-tot-club.com/

I've not really met Richard, he flies in every morning on his 'chopper then buggers off home as soon as he has finished beating everyone. Though the greatest moment last year was kicking his bum pretty badly a few times in our comparatively humble X-35.

It is a small world the sailing world. I have family friends on Antigua who own Marine Power Services, they were telling me about the Tot Club...