Sailboats

For Sale: 2000 Oyster 53

This benchmark model in bluewater sailing circles is offered by Wellington Yacht Partners for $545,000.

By Donny Gilbert

May 17, 2024

2000 Oyster 53 Luma Courtesy Wellington Yacht Partners

Ranking among the top cruising platforms in its size range, the Oyster 53 is regarded as a benchmark in bluewater sailing circles. Design features of the Oyster 53 include a robust hand-built construction, a bright and airy salon, high freeboard, a roomy interior, protected cockpit, ease of handling and comfort at sea. Among the 53s currently on the market, Luma may be the most updated hull for sale, having undergone extensive upgrades over the past few years.

2000 Oyster 53 Luma Courtesy Wellington Yacht Partners

Luma has the preferred four-cabin layout and a warm teak interior with teak and holly soles. She was built in the Windboats yard in the UK. The owners of Luma have enjoyed cruising her throughout the Med and Caribbean. They pride themselves as being detail oriented, and have made upgrades in all the right places for future sailing adventures. Highlights and improvements since 2019 include:

New teak decks
New sails
New standing rigging
Main engine minor rebuild and paint
Engine room upgraded, painted, new insulation
Solar with custom arch
Mast, boom and spinnaker pole stripped and Awl-gripped
Lithium batteries and 5kW Inverter
AB aluminum RIB w/Yamaha outboard
Electric davits
Updated electronics and communications
Starlink and Pepwave LTE & WIFI router
New Alcantara interior upholstery and cushions
Gori 3-blade prop with overdrive
Induction GN Espace Ocean cooker
Miele Microwave
New Fridge and Freezer compressors

The interior woodwork is satin-varnished teak with high-gloss trim. Interior upholstery and foam were replaced in 2022. The interior arrangement allows for a maximum of 8 berths in 4 cabins, without using the salon for sleeping, with 2 heads and showers. The owner’s cabin aft is configured with a centerline queen berth, a curved settee and berthside table with bookcase above, a large hanging locker, abundant drawer and locker space, and ensuite head with separate shower stall. The owner’s aft island queen berth is fitted with a high-quality battening system beneath the foam mattresses. Ensuite head features include Avonite countertop, shower stall, sink and locker storage; plus electric Jabsco head with Commoderizer sanitation system. All faucets and VIP shower valves were replaced in 2023. The forward guest accommodation includes a spacious VIP double cabin with centerline berth, small settee, plentiful clothes lockers, drawers under the berth, a hanging locker and overhead hatch.

2000 Oyster 53 Luma Courtesy Wellington Yacht Partners

The main salon has a large oval settee to starboard with a pair of lockers and a central bookshelf outboard, plus a custom “butterfly” oval table top with Madrona inlay and integrated grab rail. To port is a straight settee with storage underneath and a built in AEG washer. Above the washer cabinet is a custom bar unit that accommodates wine glass stowage. The salon is light and airy with seven windows. The forward opening windows were replaced in 2019. Also included is a large retractable screen and portable projector for watching movies.

2000 Oyster 53 Luma Courtesy Wellington Yacht Partners

The navigation area is at the aft end of the port side of the salon, and allows all instruments to be mounted in the optimum viewing position. The passageway galley is to starboard, aft of the salon. Galley work surfaces are Avonite. Stowage is ample for standard crockery, plus a custom spice rack.

2000 Oyster 53 Luma Courtesy Wellington Yacht Partners

The Yanmar 88 hp diesel engine has 4,524 hours. A 2021 minor rebuild included paint, new mounts, injectors, and oil seals replaced. The engine is fitted with twin alternators—the standard Yanmar 55 amp 12 v alternator is wired to charge the engine start batteries. The second unit is a high output 170 amp 24 v alternator that charges the domestic battery bank. A new (2020) Aquadrive engine/shaft coupling in the engine room is fitted with a remote greaser at the aft end of the engine room.

LED interior lighting is discreet while ensuring that the light is directed where it is required. There are overhead lights and cabin reading lights. Main salon and galley lights are double-switched, and all overhead lights are remotely switched. Berth reading lights are self-switched.