For the last 45 years, Oyster Yachts have built a reputation for signature performance blue water cruising yachts built to the finest level of craftsmanship. This is a company that is not just building but are creating through personalisation and customisation of design with their owners and where innovation is the norm.

At the Oyster Yachts World Rally presentation in the National Yacht Club, on Thursday, Oyster confirmed the appointment of Ian O'Meara, as their Representative in Ireland.

At the announcement Paul Adamson, Oyster Yachts CCO, said, we are delighted to welcome Ian to our team. We have many Irish Oyster Owners and with Ian’s knowledge of the Irish Marine Leisure Market he really is the perfect fit.’

In conversation with Ian, it became clear that his love of Oyster Yachts started when in his late teens he crewed ‘Sundowner’ an Oyster 37 owned by Barry O' Donnell of the RIYC, and most recently with Liam and Ruth Shanahan aboard Ruth II on their Oyster 625. ‘Oyster make without doubt the finest blue water Cruising Yachts in the world. I have followed them closely over the years and delighted to see the direction the company is now taking under Richard Hadida in design, innovation and the added value to their customers in terms of specialisation and craftsmanship. It’s clear having spoken to Oyster Yacht owners that the after sales back up service is world class. ‘

O'Meara went on to explain the Oyster World rally which no doubt is on his bucket list. ‘The other unique point of difference Oyster Yachts offer is The Oyster World Rally. This round the world rally provides its owners with a unique opportunity to sail around the world taking in the most beautiful sailing grounds with the professional support of Oyster all the way. It’s true what they say ‘the world is your oyster’’

The appointment of Ian O'Meara in Ireland is Oyster Yachts recognition of Ireland as a growing market for their customer base - the discerning blue water yacht owner. With O’Meara’s experience and positioning in Irish sailing he is perfectly poised to connect the discerning blue water sailor with one of the world’s greatest boat builders.

For further details, please contact Ian at [email protected] Telephone 086 2576438

#ONLINE RETAIL - If Viking Marine boss Ian O'Meara has any regrets, it's that he didn't get into online trade much sooner.

In an recent interview with The Sunday Times' Sandra O'Connell, the 52-year-old managing director explains how the internet has provided him with a low-cost opportunity to diversify his business in these recessionary times.

Aside from retail outlets at The Pavillion in Dun Laoghaire and Kilcoole in Co Wicklow, both serving the vibrant east coast sailing community, the company now has Quickropes.com which provides hundreds of different ropes for any need - not exclusively boating.

"We thought there might be a market there for a specialist site, and it turns out there is," says O'Meara. "It's early days, but it's tipping along nicely."

It makes a refereshing change from the usual trend from losing custom in its brick-and-mortar outlets to the web, with the perception being that prices for everything are cheaper online.

"All too often we get people who come in to try on clothing items for size, only because they want to go and order them online," he says.

Another challenge brought by the internet is the expectation of the variety of stock Viking Marine is expected to carry. "We sell everything from a needle to an anchor," says O'Meara. "When people come in for something, they expect to find it."

But it appears the business is weathering both the choppy waves of the changing marketplace and the storm of the global financial crisis, thanks to some difficult but necessary sail trimming.

"In any case, I'm a sailor," he says, "it's what I do, it's what I love, and the business is still very much a part of that passion."

The Sunday Times has more on the story HERE (subscription required).