UK builder selects Yanmar sail drive engine as standard fit on two models

The UK’s Oyster Yachts has chosen Yanmar’s sail drive engine as standard fit on its Oyster 565 and 595 yachts, further extending the companies’ collaboration. The engine is already installed as standard on Oyster’s 50ft bluewater cruiser, the Oyster 495.

Oyster Yachts’ chief commercial officer, Paul Adamson, highlighted the benefits and features of the Yanmar 110hp unit in a recent video. The film, shot in Palma de Mallorca, focuses on Oyster 495 hull number one, Carpe Diem, and hull number two, Tuga, owned by Formula 1 celebrity Eddie Jordan – both fitted with the Yanmar 4JH110 diesel engine, SD15 sail drive, and VC20 controls.

“As a sailor, there are a few things that I can tell you are absolutely superb about the Yanmar engine. Not only is it quiet, really fuel efficient, it’s also hugely reliable,” Adamson says. “We were thrilled to collaborate with Yanmar on the Oyster 495 and excited about plans to fit the Yanmar larger engine as standard on the Oyster 565 and 595.”

A further testimonial followed from former Formula 1 team owner and experienced sailor, Eddie Jordan, who added: “Rob Humphreys and Oyster’s in-house design team did a great job designing the 495. It is the baby of the Oyster fleet and for me, it is the little treasure. She’s a dream to sail, but when the wind drops the super-efficient Yanmar engine takes her to her happy place of 9 knots effortlessly. She is the jewel in the crown which Oyster hasn’t had for a little while and it is the perfect boat for young people to learn what it is like to go blue water sailing.”

The Yanmar 4JH110 Common Rail, 4-cylinder, direct injection marine diesel inboard engine selected by Oyster is specifically produced for the marine environment. It surpasses strict global standards for virtually odour and smoke-free operation as well as keeping fuel consumption to a minimum and optimizing performance with precise, digitally controlled fuel injection.

The engine is coupled to the SD15 sail drive solution, providing the boat owner with the experience of low vibration and noise on-board, low drag, improved propulsion efficiency, and fuel consumption with excellent hydrodynamic efficiency.

Included in the specification of the Oyster 495, the VC20 Vessel Control System offers dedicated control modes for all Yanmar control system functions, putting the user in complete control and providing several benefits that make a real difference for boat owners, and boatbuilders.