During The Executive Magazine’s exclusive Monaco Grand Prix weekend events, I found myself aboard one of British yachting’s most celebrated vessels – the 90-foot Oyster sailing yacht Lush. Moored in Monaco’s legendary harbour, surrounded by the weekend’s motorsport excitement, this seemed the perfect setting for an intimate conversation with Richard Hadida, Chairman and Owner of Oyster Yachts, about his remarkable maritime empire.
What began as a charter relationship with former Formula 1 team owner Eddie Jordan has evolved into something far more significant. Hadida’s journey from client to owner of both this particular yacht and the entire Oyster brand reflects a deeper passion for serious ocean cruising. As we settled into Lush’s comfortable cockpit, with the sounds of Grand Prix preparations echoing across the harbour, he shared insights into what drives the most adventurous yacht owners to choose Oyster for their blue water dreams.
We’re here on board the beautiful sailing yacht Lush during Monaco Grand Prix weekend. Richard, you build these incredible yachts. Can you tell us about the brand?
“I used to charter this boat from Eddie Jordan about 15 years ago, and 13 years ago I bought her because I wanted a floating blue water home which I can go anywhere in the world in. This will be my floating home for the next year and a half – me, my wife and my one and a half year old baby are going to do the Oyster World Rally. Every two years we send 30 yachts around the world, and we’re doing the next rally in 2026. We start in Antigua in January 26 and return to Antigua in April 27.”
What makes Oyster Yachts different from competitors? What’s your strategy to make them stand out?
“Oyster Yachts are famous for being what people call the ‘Rolls-Royce of blue water yachts’. They’re able to go anywhere – they’re not coastal boats, they are solid, strong, and can survive any conditions. If you want to go into proper deep blue water territory anywhere on the planet, then an oyster yacht is the way to do it in luxury.”
What’s the top speed?
“Top speed is about 12 knots. It’s all about the journey with yachting. We’re doing the World Rally which is 27,000 miles and we take our time. If you want to blast from Saint-Tropez to Monaco, then an Oyster’s not for you.”
Tell me about the guest suites and crew arrangements.
“There are four guest suites with en-suite bathrooms and we have four crew – a captain, chef, first mate who’s capable of completely looking after the yacht, and a stewardess.”
What are some of the best features when sailing Lush?
“The Oysters are famous for the seascape windows in the cabins – when you lie on your bed you look out directly over the water through these massive windows. When you’re in the Caribbean and the sunrise comes, you feel a deep connection to the ocean. The snug here is an area where you spend a lot of time because it’s so comfortable. The other famous thing about Oysters is that you can go literally anywhere in the world.”
What’s the draft like for accessing smaller bays?
“We have three metres. We do ones with retractable keels so you can go closer in on those, but that’s optional. This has a fixed keel of three metres.”
Eddie Jordan previously owned this yacht. What was his experience with her?
“He bought her originally for the first World Rally and went straight around the world. I started chartering it from him for a few years, we became very close and started sharing holidays together. Then I bought it from him. He always said that of all the boats he’s owned in his life, this was his favourite yacht ever. She ticks every single box that a bigger boat does, yet achieves this in a compact 90 foot. There’s something very cosy about this boat, at the same time she’s big and can get to the seven seas without a problem.”
Any particular fond memories with Eddie?
“I can’t begin to tell you how many wonderful times we’ve had together. He’s very creative – we would go to little bays and he would get the crew to create a little bar in a rock formation by the beach. He’s been an incredible force in my life. Adrian Newey, the legendary Formula 1 designer, has bought one of these, so him and I are sailing after the Monaco Grand Prix down the coast towards Saint-Tropez in our Oyster 885s. He’s got the latest one, I’ve got the first one in honour of Eddie.”
Tell us about the shipyard itself.
“We have three yards – one in Wroxham, one in Southampton, one in Hythe. The range of boats we make starts with a 495, which is the smallest. Then we have a 565 and 595 – those three are designed for owner sailors who don’t want crew. Then you get a 675, which is a crewed boat, then the 745 which is definitely crew, and this 885 which is also definitely crew. As the boats get bigger they require more crew.”
How many yachts do you build per year?
“It varies but between 16 and 24, depending on specifications. Every single boat is built bespoke. With Adrian’s, for example, he’s got a very special swim deck that double opens out so he can put a dining table 10 centimetres above the sea, and he’s got a special carbon fibre bimini that he’s designed himself.”
How do the sailing yachts appeal to the British market?
“We sell over a third of our yachts to the British market – between 30 and 40 percent of all boats sold are to British buyers. It’s a British brand that’s been going for 52 years, so it’s probably the most famous British sailing brand.”
If you could take this yacht anywhere in the world, where would you go?
“As I’m doing the World Rally next year, the places exciting to me that I haven’t been to include the Panama Canal, which is apparently amazing, the Galápagos because that’s off the charts, and French Polynesia. I’ve never really been to Australia and the world rally spends about three months there, so I’m looking forward to exploring around there.”