New owners for Oyster

Top UK yacht builder Oyster Marine has been sold to UK based private equity fund Balmoral Capital for an undisclosed sum.

Current Chairman Richard Matthews founded the company in 1973. Oyster yachts have a worldwide reputation for quality and performance and are recognized throughout the sailing world for their distinctive Deck Saloon configuration. Oyster has twice been awarded the Queen's Award for Industry. Their current yacht range starts at 14 metres and includes twelve modern designs including two new super-yacht models, the 'Oyster 100' and '125', which will be launched in 2010 and 2011. There are almost 1,200 Oyster yachts in commission and the company has a strong forward order book and annual sales in excess of £50 million (US$97 million). Although Oyster are primarily known for their comfortable live aboard cruising yachts, many of which have completed circumnavigations, in 2007 Oyster yachts were class winners in both the Fastnet and Sydney Hobart races.

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