Oystercatcher XXXV – a 52ft rocketship

Combining much of the concept behind Niklas Zennström’s radical Fast40 Ran VII with the experience of Oyster Yachts founder Richard Matthews is bound to result in an exceptional yacht.

- RUPERT HOLMES

Fibre Mechanics/Carkeek CF-520

• Hull length 15.85m 52ft 0in

• Beam 4.96m 16ft 3in

• Draught 3.60m 11ft 9in

• Displacement 6,800kg 15,000lb

• www.fibremechanics.com

Given Matthews’ latest 52ft IRC racer doesn’t have to fit a box rule, designer Shaun Carkeek had plenty of latitude to create the fastest possible 52-footer. As a result this boat is wider, more powerful and significantly faster than a TP52. It’s also just as likely to turn heads as Ran VII.

Matthews has been deeply involved with this project and has brought his enormous experience to many aspects of the vessel. The first boat out of the mould will be his 35th racing yacht and the builders, Lymington-based Fibre Mechanics, hope it will be the first of a short run of semi-custom boats.

The design lends itself to either inshore or offshore use, with Oystercatcher XXXV configured for longer offshore races including events like the Rolex Fastnet, the North Sea Race and maybe RORC’s Caribbean 600. The boat is fitted with twin rudders that will help to create a very fast reaching machine. It also has water ballast to allow racing with a civilised crew size of 7-8 people. However, an inshore-optimised boat sailing predominantly windward-leeward courses would suit the single-rudder option better.