DescriptionOyster 53 – 'Making Time' Best-equipped example
Ocean Passage ready
Recent 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
ADDITIONAL INFO.
Specifications
Builder: McDell Marine, New Zealand
Designer: Rob Humphreys (hull), Holman & Pye (interior)
Model Year: 2005
LOA: 16 m (17 m with bowsprit)
LWL: 14.2 m
Beam: 4.7 m
Draft: 2.3 m
Displacement: 23,300 kg (lightship) and 25,000 kg when she was last on the scales tanks full
Ballast: 6,500 kg
Air Draft: 23 m to top of aerials
Hull Type: Monohull
Hull Material: GRP with Isophthalic gelcoat, vinylester resin, longitudinal stringers
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 around 1400-1600 RPM 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 & Tankage
Fuel 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 element
1 x Holding tank: 50 L with gravity/deck discharge
2 x propane cylinders with solenoid shutoff & Xintex gas alarm
Electrical Systems
The vessel benefits from fully independent 12V and 24V systems with generator, inverter, solar input and battery monitoring for extended off-grid operation
24V 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 24/3500-100 inverter/charger (2022)
Victron Orion 230/12 V start battery backup charger (2025)
Cummins Onan 7 kW generator (2019 Kubota engine)
Generator 2019 1300 hours.
Dockside power: 230 V /50Hz 30A, ring main with outlets.
Battery monitoring unit with PC access.
Navigation & Electronics
Raymarine 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)
Fire extinguishers & fire blankets in engine room, galley, cockpit
Mast climbing gear for solo maintenance
Tender & Toys
3.2 m Charlmark RIB, Sunbrella cover (2019)
Yamaha Enduro 15 hp outboard (2020)
Bauer Junior dive compressor (unknown)
Barbecue, fishing rods & gear
Fugoo sound system (2019)
Free Diving fins
Spear gun
Real looking stuffed dog toy “Aki” for added security.
Recent Upgrades / Refit
Major refit 2019: USD 240,000
Teak decks (2019)
New sails (2025)
Rigging & furlers (2019)
Electronics upgrades (2022)
Included Inventory / Spares
Oyster custom crockery & cutlery
Dyson vacuum
Airfryer
Induction hob
Manuals and schematics
Extensive 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 cans
Tools
Disclaimer
Nicolle Associates offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
- This vessel is VAT not paid.
- As always photographs do not do justice so a viewing is highly recommended.
KonstrukteurRob Humphreys/Holman & Pye/Loughborough University
Gewicht
Verdrängung23,3 t
Unterbringung
Gastkabinen4
Tanks
Kraftstoff686 L
Antrieb
Motor 1
MotorherstellerYanmar
Motormodell4JH3-HTE direct drive with 3 Blade Bronze p
Motorstunden5800
KraftstofftypDiesel
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