Oyster 72 Sailboat

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The signature design feature of all Oysters is the raised-deck salon. The 72 has an interestingly shaped window on either side that extends across the forward part of the cabin. Down below I found a great view, plenty of light and enough headroom to clear my 6-foot-2-inch height by about three inches. Additional hull ports were added on later versions. We heeled at approximately 15 degrees in the moderate wind, but the many handholds all over the boat made it easy for me to move around safely. The owner’s stateroom has a large double bunk, separate settee, plenty of locker space, television (there were many throughout the boat), full-length mirror and some cool mood lighting. The standard layout includes five staterooms, but Magrathea combines two forward cabins into one with a large double berth for Tolhurst and his significant other. 



Tolhurst said they use lithium batteries to keep the boat light. The batteries save about 1,500 pounds. “We charge once per day for about two hours,” he said. Asked if they had any problems with the lithium batteries overheating, he continued, “We haven’t experienced anything like that, but we have pretty good ventilated areas. The original locker was designed for seven normal batteries, so the lithium ones take considerably less space: There is lots of room there.”

The most popular part of this boat will be the cockpit. Ten people will easily fit around the table for dinner. It has a nifty refrigerator that had a full supply of Sam Adams at the ready. This is a good place to hang out, talk, read or watch the sights pass by. Magrathea has a unique Bimini top, which rolls up into the sides of the Park Avenue boom. It’s about seven feet high and is pulled taut to the rails with a 6:1 handy billy system. It is a clever arrangement. Aft, large settees, one in the port quarter and one opposite, can seat a total of four people. I think you could solve the world’s problems right there.

To help owners with the inevitable long list of questions and options, Oyster assigns a personal project manager to assist each one. They are encouraged to visit the factory during construction and be part of the process, which adds to the joy of ownership. When writing a boat review, I always wonder what I might change or do differently. I think the owners of Magrathea did a nice job, right down to a set of hull lights so you can see fish in the water at night, and I wouldn’t make any changes. In any case, Oyster beat me to it and has already updated the design profile since my sea trial. It just keeps getting better.

LOA (including pulpit): 74’9”
LWL: 64’9”
BEAM: 19’2½”
DRAFT: 9’6” (std.), 7’6” (shoal option)
DISPL.: 105,820 lb.
SAIL AREA: 3,337 sq. ft. w/ 150 percent foretriangle
SAIL AREA/DISPL.: 23.17
DISPL./LWL: 174
POWER: 1 x 212 hp Cummins QSB5.9
FUEL: 528 gal.
WATER: 264 gal.
BASE PRICE: $4,975,000
Oyster Marine, 401-846-7400; www.oystermarine.com.