When 23 Oyster yachts set out to circle the globe, they won’t be sailing alone. Behind them is a round-the-clock support operation, a recently appointed chief executive stepping into one of the brand’s most complex undertakings and, this time, the company’s owner’s embarking on the full 27,000-mile adventure with his young family onboard.
“I’m happy to report that it’s going well,” says Stefan Zimmermann Zschocke, who took over as chief executive officer for Oyster Yacht in the summer of 2025.
One of his first events was Cannes Yachting Festival where he welcomed MIN to discuss processes within the company and his strategy. Now he’s got an eye on the Oyster Yachts World Rally fleet which is currently making its way around the globe.
That’s a project which he’s inherited as organising the rally is a multi-year project.
How Oyster prepares for a circumnavigation
But “the real work is just beginning for the team,” he says. “The team and the fleet are often working across several time zones and are in different countries and destinations, which poses obvious challenges.
“We are now making the final preparations for each destination-based support, while balancing lots of moving parts and yachts. Keeping up with the fleet can be a round-the-clock task, and the team works tirelessly to provide logistics and technical support to the fleet every step of the way, from tracking them live to preparing to assist at all major destinations.”
Twenty three yachts make up the 2026-27 fleet. Running every two years since 2013, it’s now in its fifth edition.
Training for life at sea
“Life at sea with a large fleet can always pose unpredictable challenges, but with the experience of four rallies under our belt, the rally support team, participants and crew are thoroughly prepared,” says Zimmermann Zschocke.
“While we hope that no incidents arise throughout the rally, the fleet is safe in the knowledge that support is at hand if and when they require it.”
In reality that looks like members of the rally support and technical support teams on the ground in all agreed destination locations – to manage services and support.
“We have a world-class team packed with experts in logistics, technical specialists and after-sales support who are with the fleet every step of the way.
“Alongside the internal teams, we work closely with our suppliers and partners to ensure that spares and deliveries can be made along the route. And where available, we also work with trusted teams locally to offer and support with ongoing works, maintenance and support when in destinations.”
Destinations remain flexible in agreed timelimit
The number of ‘unagreed’ destinations is, in many ways, limitless. The rally officially includes 27 agreed ports, but the time between those destinations is intentionally flexible. This allows crews the freedom to explore, detour, and discover additional locations along the way, provided they remain within the overall time framework. “Historically, this freedom has been a defining part of the experience, with yachts often charting their own paths and uncovering destinations well beyond the official itinerary,” says Zimmermann Zschocke.
The company began preparing the Oyster World Rally fleet around two years in advance of the start line. Boats commissioned specifically for the rally are built in the yard, while crews and owners begin researching, then preparing themselves and their yachts for the circumnavigation.
“For the 2026-27 edition, the Oyster fleet includes 11 brand-new build yachts. While each owner’s journey is unique, it’s fair to say these yachts were commissioned with the rally very much in mind, purpose-built to take on a full circumnavigation.”
As the two-year mark approaches, the rally support team begin their training schedule with the fleet.
Preparation covers technical and practical skills including medical care at sea, and provisioning. Yacht preparation, learning onboard systems and equipment, navigation and passage planning, downwind sailing techniques and understanding weather conditions are all included. The fleet also takes on sea survival courses, learn how to operate SSB/Long Range Radio and more.
Lessons learned from four previous rallies
The 18-month-long training and events programme is run by the rally support team, in conjunction with suppliers and partners. Training seminars are run online and in person. “When we bring the fleet together in person, we often organise a social gathering alongside the seminars to further build relationships amongst the owners,” says Zimmermann Zschocke.
Part of that training and preparation activities reflects lessons learned from previous world rally editions.
“Whether it’s the quality of the destinations they’re visiting, hearing new ideas and cruising grounds that aren’t on the official route or understanding how things truly work when you’re in the midst of the circumnavigation, the experience of our owners is our most valuable resource,” he says.
There’s also a world rally guide which he describes as a comprehensive digest of all the company’s learned from the four prior rallies. At over 600 pages it encompasses lessons from the lived experiences of 16 months at sea.
From Olympic sailors to first-time owners
This year’s participants include ex-Olympic sailors and Clipper Race finishers to those who learned to sail when they commissioned their boat.
Also travelling with the fleet is Richard Hadida, owner & chairman of Oyster Yachts.
“I’ll be able to understand the rally most authentically, which has never been done before,” Hadida says. “I’m putting myself through exactly what the Oyster family get to experience, and that to me is so exciting.
“I hope that I’ll return, as a circumnavigator, with an invaluable sense of perspective of the whole experience. From the operational functioning, through to the day-to-day running of the yacht, owner support and destination discovery – I am taking on the rally as a true participant, with the knowledge that I can help shape the future rallies that will follow this one.”
Sailing around the world with a young family
Hadida’s accompanied by his wife Ali, and two-year-old son Harry. He says that’s a testament to the trust that both him and his wife have in their floating home, Lush. “I have complete faith in our Oyster 885, and to be at home while at sea, with our two-year-old, is going to be incredible.
“The responsibility for Harry’s and everyone’s safety has certainly been our top priority, but we have worked tirelessly to make Lush a safe environment for everyone. For Harry specifically, we have installed custom safety nets, bought a range of life vests and are trialling several ways to ensure he is close by at all times – Ali has also worked incredibly hard to create a custom medical kit for his every potential need – so we are confident that he is going to have the best experience.”
Hadida’s made the effort to sail as much as he can for the past ten years, this expects the experience to be a completely different reality from the island-hopping and coastal cruising he’s done in the past. “I can’t wait to relish the challenge.
“There are so many destinations I can’t wait to experience too – transiting the Panama Canal, seeing the wildlife of the Galapagos, and exploring the remoteness of French Polynesia to name a few.”
As Zimmermann Zschocke says: “Devoting three or so years of your life to adventure can be quite a sacrifice for some, but it’s certainly worth it in the end.”
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