Two sailing superyachts are among the nearly three dozen Oyster Yachts participating in the 2017-19 Oyster World Rally. While they’re at the very beginning of the voyage, they plan to complete an astounding 30,000-mile circumnavigation.
The two sailing superyachts are Enso, an Oyster 825; and Karibu, an Oyster 885. Karibu is the champagne-colored yacht so prominent in the photo above. It captures the scene as the fleet recently departed the kick-off locale of Antigua.
The owners and crew of Enso and Karibu are among more than 100 people participating. Altogether, 31 yachts from 12 countries are taking part in the Oyster World Rally, which lasts 27 months. Even more remarkable, this is just the second time that Oyster Yachts has organized the gathering. The logistics take years to work out, for example. Despite that, the builder reports that some of the first yachts committed four years ago. Furthermore, David Tydeman, Oyster Group’s chief executive, says one owner has already paid to participate in the third Oyster World Rally, set for 2021.
The first stops on the current circumnavigation are a variety of Caribbean islands. The Oyster World Rally then heads to the Panama Canal in early March, for the transit through to the Pacific Ocean. Next, the sailors head to the Galapagos, followed by the Marquesas Islands, where they’ll spend six months. Owners are free to explore areas like Tahiti, Tonga, and Fiji while in this region of the world. Formal fleet regathering occurs again in late October in New Zealand.
Since November through April is wintertime in the South Pacific, a variety of destinations in New Zealand and Australia await. The Oyster World Rally participants are already invited to enjoy the annual Sydney Hobart Race the day after Christmas.
Asian waters, including those of Bali, beckon from April through August 2018. Come September, the Indian Ocean awaits, including the Cocos Islands. The fleet makes its way to Mauritius before making landfall in Africa in late November. This brings the most challenging part of the rally, rounding the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Also challenging: traversing the Agulhas Current there. It’s infamous for big seas and having the fastest-flowing waters of any ocean.
In January 2019, the Oyster World Rally sets out for the return “home” to the Caribbean. Grenada is the first stop, before finishing up in Antigua.
Besides creating camaraderie, the Oyster World Rally will support local communities along the way. The owners, crew, and guests are participating in the Give Sight program of Sea Mercy. Sea Mercy provides floating health care to remote island nations. Through the charity, the Oyster fleet will distribute hundreds of pairs of glasses, along with solar lamps for homes and schools lacking electricity.
While Oyster Yachts is posting updates to its Facebook page, you can track the fleet live, too, via the rally website.
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