The Oyster Yachts 55 1986 vs Oyster Yachts Lightwave 395 1988 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The Oyster Yachts 55 1986 measures 56,4 feet overall (1986), giving it roughly 16,8 additional feet of deck space compared to the Oyster Yachts Lightwave 395 1988 at 39,6 feet (1988). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Oyster Yachts 55 1986 tips the scales at 50 993 lbs — 39 992 lbs more than the Oyster Yachts Lightwave 395 1988 at 11 001 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Oyster Yachts 55 1986 is rated for 17 passengers, while the Oyster Yachts Lightwave 395 1988 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Oyster Yachts 55 1986 could be the deciding factor.
Displacement is where these two sailboats genuinely part ways. The Oyster Yachts 55 1986 displaces 50 993 lbs — a 39 992-lb difference over the Oyster Yachts Lightwave 395 1988 at 11 001 lbs. That gap separates two entirely different categories of sailing: the heavier boat is built for offshore passage-making and load-carrying, while the lighter hull rewards performance sailing and easier handling in lighter air.
Draft is a practical consideration that many buyers underestimate until they're already at the marina. The Oyster Yachts 55 1986 draws 7,6 ft, compared to 6,1 ft for the Oyster Yachts Lightwave 395 1988. That 1,5-foot difference affects which anchorages you can access, which haul-out facilities will take you, and how carefully you need to read the tide tables in shallower cruising grounds.
The Oyster Yachts 55 1986 is rigged as a Cutter while the Oyster Yachts Lightwave 395 1988 carries Sloop rigging — a meaningful difference in sail handling complexity, upwind performance, and the size of crew you'll need to work the boat comfortably.
Hull speed is rated at 9,0 knots for the Oyster Yachts 55 1986 and 7,8 knots for the Oyster Yachts Lightwave 395 1988.
Bottom line: The Oyster Yachts 55 1986 is the offshore and bluewater choice — at 50 993 lbs displacement and 56 ft it has the load capacity, range, and seakeeping for extended passages. The Oyster Yachts Lightwave 395 1988 at 11 001 lbs is the more nimble, accessible option — easier to single-hand and better suited to coastal and inland sailing.