Oyster 53 – 'Making Time'Best-equipped exampleOcean Passage readyRecent refit
The Oyster 53 is one of the world’s most celebrated bluewater cruisers, renowned for its combination of performance, comfort, and quality. Making Time, launched 2005 (hull laid 2004) built by New Zealand’s premier yard, McDell Marine, exemplifies this pedigree with exceptional engineering, meticulous joinery, and a thoughtfully optimized layout for single-handed or family cruising.
Designed by Rob Humphreys with interior ergonomics by Holman & Pye in collaboration with Loughborough University, the raised-saloon, centre-cockpit layout maximizes comfort, safety, and visibility while offshore. Making Time has been maintained to the highest standards, with an extensive USD 240,000 refit in 2019 and ongoing upgrades, ensuring she is a turn-key bluewater yacht capable of safe and fast ocean passages.
With a light American oak interior, 32,000 BTU reverse-cycle air conditioning, and accommodation for up to eight in four cabins, she offers spacious and practical living for extended voyages. The yacht is RCD Category A (Ocean) and remains a proven performer in conditions from light winds to 22 knots offshore.
Owner’s Comments “We have cruised extensively aboard Making Time, from Hong Kong to the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. She has performed impeccably in all conditions, with ample power and stability. She is optimised for single-handed sailing with redundant systems for enhanced safety... she remains a delight to handle with family and friends. We maintain extensive spares onboard which enable confident access to remote locations while allowing us to stay ahead of the maintenance schedule. Born in New Zealand, her McDell Marine build quality is evident in every detail. We have invested heavily to ensure she’s not just seaworthy, but exceptional in every way."Broker’s Comments “We know this Oyster 53 well having sold her to her current owner in 2014. She represents a rare opportunity to acquire a fully equipped, turn-key bluewater cruiser with a meticulous maintenance history. The quality of construction, combined with modern upgrades to rigging, electronics, sails, and deck equipment, make her ready to cruise anywhere in the world. She is one of the finest examples of the model currently on the market.”Owner will consider delivery worldwide by negotiation.
Key Features
Fully equipped and turn-key bluewater cruiser Raised deck saloon and centre-cockpit design Optimized for single-handed sailing Extensive 2019 refit with ongoing upgrades Accommodation for 8 in 4 cabins, 2 heads RCD Category A (Ocean) Teak decks (2019) Bow thruster (Sleipner SP155) and advanced autopilot system Modern electronics including radar, chartplotter, AIS, and autopilot 32,000 BTU reverse-cycle air conditioning (2019 upgrade) Proven offshore performance, excellent motion in heavy seas
SpecificationsBuilder: McDell Marine, New Zealand Designer: Rob Humphreys (hull), Holman & Pye (interior) Model Year: 2005LOA: 16 m (17 m with bowsprit)LWL: 14.2 mBeam: 4.7 mDraft: 2.3 mDisplacement: 23,300 kg (lightship) and 25,000 kg when she was last on the scales tanks full Ballast: 6,500 kgAir Draft: 23 m to top of aerialsHull Type: MonohullHull Material: GRP with Isophthalic gelcoat, vinylester resin, longitudinal stringersDeck Material: Teak (2019)Keel: Fin with bulbRudder: Skeg-hungHull Colour: Vermillion Red Topsides: Snow WhiteRCD Category: A (Ocean) - Crew Limit: 10 AccommodationsCabins: 4 - Berths: 8 (excluding saloon)Heads / Showers: 2Interior: Light American oak, shadow-gap joints, sculpted fiddles, stainless grab handlesSaloon: Raised deck saloon, oval starboard settee/table, port settee, bar unit Galley: Starboard aft saloon, Avonite counters, twin stainless sinks, Force 10 4-burner stove/grill/ovenOwner’s Cabin (Aft): Centreline queen berth, en-suite head/shower, dressing table, hanging lockerForward Cabin: Centreline double, seat/vanity, drawers, hanging lockerPort Midship Cabin: Upper/lower berths (storage/sleeping)Starboard Guest Cabin: Upper/lower berths, lockers, hanging lockerAir Conditioning: 32,000 BTU reverse-cycle (2019)Laundry: LG 8 kg inverter washing machine (2022)Ventilation: Coframo fans in each cabinHeadroom - 2m in the saloon and 1.85m throughout Performance & StabilityCapsize Screening Formula (CSF): 1.8Displacement/Length Ratio (D/L): 204–242Sail Area/Displacement Ratio (SA/D): 16.8–18.99Max GZ: ~0.5–0.8 m at 30–50° heel (est.)Angle of Vanishing Stability (AVS): ~120–140°Smooth motion in heavy seas; offshore passage 150–200 nm/dayCruising Speed: 6 ktsMax Hull Speed: 8 knots Rig & SailsSailplan: Sloop, double-spreader (she has tangs and winch pads to install an inner stay sail)Keel-stepped Selden rigIn-mast furling mainsail (North Sails, 2025, cutback leach, vertical battens option)Electric in mast furling. Mast was out 2019. Mast rebuilt and painted. New controller 2022. New motor 2017. 2 in spare. New gear set in spare
Headsail Manual furling 115% Roller-furling genoa (Quantum, 2025, single-handed setup)Asymmetrical cruising spinnaker with Rollgen top-down furler & bowsprit sockHank-on storm jib
Sail Areas: Main: current sail area 71 m2Genoa 74 m2Gennaker 145 m2Standing Rigging: Dyform & Ix19 stainless steel wire (new 2019)Running Rigging: Chromed bronze rigging screwsSpinnaker poleMast trackVang strutWinches: Lewmar – 2 x 64 electric primaries, 2 x 48 secondaries, 1 x 48 electric mainsheet/utility, 1 x 48 main halyard, 1 x 48 genoa halyard, 2 x 16 STMainsheet traveller Engine & MechanicalEngine: Yanmar 4JH3-HTE 100 hp (74 kW), 5,800 hoursKM4A mechanical gearboxShaft replaced 2017. Good in 2019. Last pulled February 2026.Shaft seal wet with greaserPropeller: Flexofold 23" 3 blade feathering propeller ALCARA: Aluminium Bronze Alloy with, Stripper rope cutter (2017)
Bow Thruster: Sleipner SP155 with Sidepower 8960 controller (2022)Twin alternators: 55A 12 V (start) + 150A 24 V Mastervolt (house)Aquadrive coupling (2017)Duplex fuel/water filters (2019)Engine room soundproofing (2019)Range - MAKING TIME has done 700nm between the Maldives and Seychelles motor sailing aroundRPM without cans on deck therefore using the cans in the Lazarette stored on deck 1000 nm is possible. With safety 500 – 1000 nm range. Plumbing & TankageFuel Tank: 685 L (GRP with inspection hatches)Water Tank: 580 L (GRP with inspection hatches)Hot water: 73 L calorifier via engine heat or 1.25 kW 230V element1 x Holding tank: 50 L with gravity/deck dischargeWatermaker: 200 L/h, 4 Dow Corning membranes (2020)Sump tanks & Whale Gulper pumpsElectric bilge pumps x2, manual Henderson MkV pump2 x propane cylinders with solenoid shutoff & Xintex gas alarm Electrical SystemsThe vessel benefits from fully independent 12V and 24V systems with generator, inverter, solar input and battery monitoring for extended off-grid operation24V DC house: 12 x 6V Gel batteries (660 Ah @ 24V, 2024)Engine start: 2 x 80 Ah 12 V batteries (2024 – raised from waterline)Mastervolt 24/inverter/charger (2022)Victron Orion 230/12 V start battery backup charger (2025)Cummins Onan 7 kW generator (2019 Kubota engine)Generatorhours.Dockside power: 230 V /50Hz 30A, ring main with outlets. Battery monitoring unit with PC access. Navigation & ElectronicsRaymarine dual autopilot system (2022), incorporating 2 x P70s heads, EVI sensors, AC400 controllers and 2 x short arm Raymarine Linear Drive units (plus a spare)3 x i70 multifunction displaysRadar: Quantum Doppler (2022)Chartplotter: Axiom 12 RV RealVision 3D (2022)AIS 650 Class B transceiver (2022)Ray63 VHF, Raymic 60/70 handset at pedestal - Wind, depth, speed instruments (2022)Garmin InReachStarlink MiniPlastimo Echotest 2 hand sounderOcean Scout night-vision camera (2017)Windex, VHF & AIS aerials, masthead navigation lights Deck & EquipmentSimpson davitsNova outboard lift2 x LG 300 W solar panels (2019)Lumitec underwater lights xHatch & portlights: ManShip (2019) & Gebo (lenses 2019)Fenders: 4 heavy-duty + 1 inflatableCockpit table w/ cooler compartmentTeak swim ladder steps Anchors45kg, stainless steel, Ultra anchor (2016)Ultra Swivel and chain grab 100 m 12 mm galvanized DIN766 G43 chain spliced to a 22mm 3 strand 40m rodewith the bitter end secured below. CanvasDodger (2019/2026)Bimini w/ zippered sidesCockpit & saloon coversBow awning (2019)Stern awning (2019) Refrigeration & Air Conditioning2 x 16,000 BTU Dometic - reverse-cycle units for heat (2019)Frigomatic 24V dual compressor electric refrigeration/freezer (2019) keel-cooledFrigomatic 24 V keel-cooled front-opening refrigerator SafetyOcean Signal LB2E EPIRB (2020)Zodiac 8-man liferaft (2019 inspection)8 lifejackets (2 Petzl)Danbuoy, Para-anchor w/ deployment rode/sack (2019)Emergency tiller12V flood pumpFlaresSmoke & CO detectorsFire extinguishers & fire blankets in engine room, galley, cockpitMast climbing gear for solo maintenance Tender & Toys3.2 m Charlmark RIB, Sunbrella cover (2019)Yamaha Enduro 15 hp outboard (2020)Bauer Junior dive compressor (unknown)Barbecue, fishing rods & gearFugoo sound system (2019)Free Diving finsSpear gunReal looking stuffed dog toy “Aki” for added security. Recent Upgrades / RefitMajor refit 2019: USD 240,000Teak decks (2019)New sails (2025)Rigging & furlers (2019)Electronics upgrades (2022) Included Inventory / SparesOyster custom crockery & cutleryDyson vacuumAirfryerInduction hobManuals and schematicsExtensive spares (Quantum radar, Aquadrive unit, engine/generator spares, furler motors, steering cable, Mastervolt solar regulator)Kedge rode & lines, and lines for Typhoon/Hurricane holes and roping to rocks in deep anchorage (Raja Ampat)Extra fuel/water cansTools