Remarks :
The Oyster 406 is a highly regarded bluewater cruising yacht, designed by Holman & Pye and built by Oyster Yachts between 1986 and 1990. With only 35 units produced, it is the smallest deck saloon yacht Oyster ever built, offering many of the luxuries and ocean-going features of larger models in a more manageable package.
Selkie Dancer is a fine example of this rare model, featuring the desirable centre cockpit deck saloon version that offers panoramic visibility, excellent headroom, and a bright, airy interior. Her robust construction, encapsulated ballast, and skeg-hung rudder make her exceptionally well-suited to offshore passages, while modern upgrades — including a bow thruster, new rigging (2018), and a hydrovane auxiliary rudder — make her ready for extended cruising.
Highlights Listed below but included in Full Specs:
- Only 35 Oyster 406s built — rare and sought-after
- Deck saloon layout for light-filled, spacious interior
- Centre Cockpit for privacy in dock and security at sea
- Bow thruster
- Standing rigging replaced (2018)
- Coppercoat antifouling 2014, renewed 2024
- EU VAT Paid
REMARKS
Selkie Dancer combines the solid offshore credentials expected from Oyster with practical comfort for long-distance cruising. She has been in careful private ownership and has received regular upgrades and professional maintenance. Her long keel and skeg-hung rudder give confidence at sea, while features such as the bow thruster and electric winch aid handling in close quarters. A rare opportunity to acquire one of the most compact yet capable yachts in Oyster’s pedigree range.
Accommodation :
- Sleeps 6 across 2 cabins and saloon
- Forward cabin with double V-berth and hanging locker
- Aft owner’s cabin with large double berth and ensuite heads
- Two heads with Lavac marine toilets
- L-shaped saloon seating with folding dining table
- Full-size chart table/nav station
LAYOUT:
Centre cockpit design offers excellent privacy and space below. The bright deck saloon layout features large windows for natural light and forward opening window hatches for ventilation. The galley to port and aft heads to starboard, lead to the aft cabin, which is separated from the main saloon for owner privacy. Forward cabin and heads provide ideal guest accommodation.
DOMESTIC:
Galley includes a three-burner gas hob with oven and grill, top-loading fridge/freezer, and twin stainless-steel sinks. The water system is pressurised with hot and cold water with filtered drinking water. Both heads are equipped with marine toilets, sinks, and shower facilities.
CANVAS
- Sprayhood
- Extended bimini & side screens
- Mainsail cover/stackpack
- Tender cover
- Cockpit cushions
TENDER
- Two metre RIB with 3 chambers and heavy duty Hypalon
- Torqeedo long shaft electric outboard & 2 x batteries
MISCELLANEOUS
- Fenders and warps
- Boathooks and winch handles
- Crockery and cutlery
- Various engine and maintenance spares
- Tool kit
- Owners’ manuals and log
- Imray Charts
EXTRA DETAILS
- Feathering propeller
- Forward looking sonar
- Water filter system (filter requires replacement)
- Extensive documentation
TITLE DOCUMENTS AND TAX
Listed below are the documents/or copies which we have seen on listing this yacht:
- Original Oyster Marine VAT invoice (dated 14th April 1987)
- British Part 1 Registration – No. 4070148
- EU VAT paid (documented)
- Chain of ownership and Bills of Sale
- Insurance history and maintenance files
- No CE mark required (pre-1998 construction)
KNOWN DEFECTS
- Wind speed sensor defective – new B&G Triton sensors and display on board but not fitted
- B&G Auto pilot hand held remote - missing
- B&G FFD Cockpit display defective
- Water filter system needs new filter
- Anchor control - needs rationalization with both hand held remote and extended cable
HISTORY
Commissioned in 1987 for a British couple and professionally built by Oyster Marine Ltd, Selkie Dancer has enjoyed 3 x long-term private ownerships with a strong maintenance record. She has cruised UK and European waters extensively and has benefitted from regular refits and upgrades including new engine (2007), standing rigging (2018), and bow thruster. Her careful custodians have kept her in excellent working order. Her last owners have adapted her for the Mediterranean with extra shade and swim platform offering her next owner a capable and proven offshore yacht for warm climes.
Inventory :
RIGGING
- Sloop with furling headsail. Forestay and furler replaced 2025
- Detachable inner forestay and working jib
- Aluminium mast and spars
- Standing rigging replaced (2018)
- Keel stepped mast
- Slab reefed mainsail with lazy jacks
- Electric halyard winch
SAILS
- Mainsail (2020)
- Furling genoa, 140% (2017)
- Furling #2 genoa
- Working jib
- Riding or anchor sail
NAVIGATION
- Raymarine Axiom 7 chartplotter
- Raymarine Quantum radar
- B&G Hydra autopilot
- B&G Hydra 2000 log, depth, wind and speed instruments
- AIS receiver
- ICOM VHF radio
- ICOM handheld radio
- Compass at helm
- Navtex
- Garmin 128 GPS
DECK
- Centre cockpit with teak seating
- Electric anchor windlass
- 20kg Rocna anchor with chain and cable
- 20kg Delta anchor - spare
- Aluminium Fortress anchor – with chain and cable
- Spare kedge anchor
- Extended stainless steel pulpit, pushpit, and guardrails
- Coachroof grabrails
- 2 x Lewmar #52 primary winches
- 6 x Lewmar #40 secondary winches
- Electric Harken coachroof winch
- Swim platform and ladder
SAFETY
- EPIRB
- Liferaft (serviced 2023)
- Manual and electric bilge pumps
- Edson manual portable pump
- Fire extinguishers and fire blanket
- Carbon Monoxide detectors
- Emergency tiller
Mechanical :
CONSTRUCTION
• Designed by Holman & Pye
• Built by Oyster Marine Ltd, UK (1987)
• GRP hull and deck construction
• White topsides with blue cove line
• Teak-laid cockpit and decks
• Long (full) keel with encapsulated ballast
• Skeg-hung rudder for protection and control
DIMENSIONS
• LOA: 12.34m (40'6")
• LWL: 10.59m (34'9")
• Beam: 3.89m (12'9")
• Draft: 1.75m (5'9")
• Displacement: 9,299kg (20,500 lbs)
MECHANICAL
• Beta 1505 engine (installed 2007)
• Approx. engine hours: 3,500
• Vetus 50 kgf bow thruster (2002)
• Rope cutter fitted
• Regularly serviced
PERFORMANCE
• Theoretical hull speed: 7.9 knots, reality 7.3 kts, cruise at 6 kts.
• Displacement/Length Ratio: 217 (offshore capable)
• Bermuda rigged sloop, manageable by two
TANKAGE
• Fuel: approx. 400 litres
• Water: approx. 700 litres
• Holding tank fitted
ELECTRICAL
- 100 amp alternator with smart charger control
- 12V DC domestic system
- 240V AC shore power
- Xantrex battery charger
- 4 x 100Ah domestic batteries (2022)
- 1 x 105 Ah engine start battery (2022)
- 1 x 100 Ah bow thruster battery (2022)
- 2 x PV panels with regulators
- 2 x Shore power cables
- Battery monitor
