boldly Beautiful
Ocean Alexander’s 90 Motoryacht
is a classy cruiser with
first-class accommodations for
owner and guests alike.
by chris caswell Photogr aphy by Forest Johnson
52 may 2014 / yach ting
w w w. ya cht i ng ma ga zin e . c o m
www. y a c h tin gm a ga zin e . c o m may 2 0 1 4 / ya c ht i n g 53
ome yachts are like an
“You take the VIP up forward,” says Alexander owners use their yachts.
Architectural Digest layout: one guest. “No, no, I’m fine with the starStep into the salon, and you’ll see the
cool and elegant. Others board guest cabin. Or maybe I’ll take the elegant/casual elements in an instant.
are as friendly and invit- port cabin. Gee, I can’t decide.” What First, Marshall chose a pale nubby fabric
ing as a warm puppy. With a delightful quandary for your guests to for the wraparound couch to port, with a
the Ocean Alexander 90 face: not being able to choose among the pair of bucket chairs to finish off this enterMotoryacht, designer Evan three staterooms, each en suite. No Jack- tainment area. But this isn’t just for guests
K. Marshall managed to create a yacht and-Jill heads or tiptoeing across the to sit stiffly in dinner jackets: This whole
that blends all of these elements.
passageway to a shared head. This took area faces a huge pop-up TV. Stretch out,
Let me jump ahead and give away a the careful fitting together of so many munch on popcorn and have fun.
major selling point for the 90: No one gets elements that it makes a 5,000-piece jigTwo things you’ll notice quickly are
a second-class cabin. On most yachts in saw puzzle look like child’s play.
huge windows and tons of headroom. The
this size range, someone gets the short
The 90 is a natural iteration of the windows stretch, literally, from the back
straw. The owners, of course, get a mag- Ocean Alexander 88, as reinvented by of the couch to out of sight in the curtain
nificent suite, as they should. Guests, the builder’s marketing director, Richard soffits, and they are divided by only two
however, are usually faced with lesser Allender. No, reimagined is a better word, mullions. The view is spectacular. And
accommodations of unequal size and ame- because this yacht is not just a freshen- the 6 foot 9 inches of headroom is nearly
nities. Not so on this Ocean Alexander. ing up, but a response to how Ocean as much as on the Ocean Alexander 120.
A low divider separates the formal din- the helm under the sweptback windshield.
ing area forward, and I give Marshall An interesting touch is the addition of a
and Allender credit for providing enough raised breakfast bar facing the galley with
seating for all eight guests. I can’t explain a pair of stools, offering a perfect place for
why some builders provide a dining table two to enjoy a croissant and coffee.
for six on a yacht that sleeps eight. What,
The galley is a chef’s dream with toptwo people are balancing paper plates notch appliances like the Jenn-Air cooktop
on their knees in the cockpit? Silly. Even and Sub-Zero fridges, Gaggenau oven
better, Marshall and Allender left guests and Fisher & Paykel dishwasher. I loved
enough room to push their chairs back the stainless-steel sink capable of swallowat the end of the meal without whacking ing the largest pan and the fact that, while
into the divider or bulkheads.
standing at that sink, the chef is treated
At first glance, you’d think this is one to the same counter as guests in the salon.
of the Euro-style yachts that relegates the
The day-head is tucked to starboard
cook to an unseen corner, but, no, the gal- under stairs to the bridge, and a pair of
ley is in the pilothouse, which becomes a pantograph doors open to the side decks.
casual living space. It is a country galley The helm is to starboard in the pilothouse
with a wraparound dinette tucked next to with a stylish dash of burled woods and
Dining options are plentiful aboard the Ocean Alexander 90. The table for six to eight in the salon (left) is a smart choice for intimate dinners.
The flybridge (left) is a great spot for offering your guests fresh air and a view, and the galley bar (right) is the place to start your day.
54 may 2014 / yach ting
www. y a c h tin gm a ga zin e . c o m w w w. ya cht i ng ma ga zin e . c o m
leather. A raised panel holds three monitors, and there are chrome posts that put
this panel into my line of sight through the
forward windows. Six inches lower would
be perfect for me, and the adjustment is
likely doable as this builder is known for
accommodating its owners. If you’re on
the taller-than-average side, the placement may not affect your line of sight.
And, while we’re in the pilothouse, it’s
important to note that this yacht can be
run short-handed. Wide walk-around
side decks with instant access from the
lower helm, plus bow and stern thrusters
to position and hold the yacht while lines
are handled, make this easy for two crew.
Curving stairs lead from the salon to a
foyer on the lower deck with inlaid marble
may 2 0 1 4 / ya c ht i n g 55
underfoot. Just aft is the full-beam masfiberglass hardtop, this really isn’t a sun
ter suite, with a centerline king-size berth
pad, but, for sun worshippers, a large padthat can be raised on gas lifts to hide suitded sprawl area is aft next to the spa.
cases or other bulky items. Marble-top
Under the hardtop on the port side is
nightstands and wood columns are stylish
an outdoor kitchen-cum-wet-bar, with a
touches, and each side has a trio of large
granite counter and bar top, five permawindows for light and view. To port is a
nent stools and, for knocking out steaks
love seat, while the starboard side has a
and burgers, a large electric grill plus
built-in bureau that shows off the impecfridge, sink and stowage.
cable Ocean Alexander joinery work.
Opposite is a large (and beautifully
Two large hanging lockers complete the
crafted) teak table with wraparound seatsuite, with one a walk-in featuring intering. A tinted venturi windscreen protects
nally illuminated Lucite drawers as well
seated guests from the breeze, and the
as a cedar-lined hanging space. The hishardtop shades them from the sun.
and-hers marble-lined heads just aft are
On this 90, the spa is just abaft the hardseparated by an oversize shower with multop so it can be used to enjoy the stars in
tijet nozzles, and a spa tub is an option.
the evening, but, for sun protection, “sails”
Next forward is the port guest cabin
are supported by sturdy and removable
— no, wait, it has to be called a guest
oversize stanchions. Aft and to port is a
stateroom. A large berth is athwartships;
Nautical Structures 1750 crane, leaving
the en suite head includes a shower with
enough of the 22-foot beam for a tender
room for a seat, and the hanging locker is
or rows of water toys. That boat deck, by
so large it requires double doors.
the way, stretches aft to shade the cockOpposite is an enclosed laundry room
pit, with its settee across the transom and
where the crew will find a full-size, side-byanother teak table. It’s a bad habit of mine,
side washer and dryer, plus ample counter
looking into usually unseen areas, but I
space for folding and lockers for laundry
poked my head under the table and found
Specifications:
supplies. This is a thoughtful touch, makit
was just as perfectly varnished as the top.
LOA: 91’3” LWL: 76’9” BEAM: 22’5”
ing it easy to service all four cabins without
Seems like a sure indicator of quality when
DRAFT: 5’6” (dry), 6’5” (loaded) DISPL.:
209,000 lb. FUEL: 3,000 gal. WATER: 650 gal.
having to return to the crew area where
a builder spends the time to make unseen
ENGINES (std.): 2 x 1,920 hp MTU 12V
most laundries are located.
areas just as good as the more visible ones.
2000 diesels PRICE: On request
Next forward is the starboard stateroom,
Speaking of quality, the engine room is
and, again, it has an oversize head with
Manufacturer’s data:
most impressive, from the neatly loomed
RPM
KNots
GPH
shower, fore-and-aft berth and large stowwiring to the tidy manifolds to the glossy
600
6.5
4.0
age drawers under the berth. The VIP
gelcoated bilges. Power on the 90 is a pair
1000
10.3
15.0
cabin is forward in the usual spot, with a
of MTU 10V 2000s, each putting out
1400
13.0
34.4
raised berth, tapering hull sides lined with
1,920 hp and propelling our test boat to a
1800
15.8
91.4
lockers and more drawers underneath. An
top speed of 22-plus knots. Standard gen2200
21.0
157.0
en suite head matches the others in terms
sets are twin 32 kW Kohlers.
2300
22.4
163.6
of size and amenities. Of note is the standard OctoPlex electriOwners of Ocean Alexander 90s should
cal monitoring and control system, which
Test Conditions:
expect a flood of applicants from captains
gives users fingertip control of all the AC
Speed was measured by GPS in
and crew because the crew quarters are
and
DC power from virtually anywhere
waters off Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in smooth
finished to the same high standards as the
on the yacht. One item that captains will
seas and 5 knots of wind with 50 percent
fuel, 50 percent water and three people
guest areas. Sited abaft the engine room
appreciate is the oil-change system for
aboard. Fuel consumption was measured with
(with direct access to the same), the quarboth mains and generators from a 45-galthe MTU electronic engine-monitoring system.
ters are accessed from the cockpit (for
lon lube-oil tank.
Decibel readings were unavailable.
safety at sea) or via a transom door.
There are a variety of optional arrangeThe captain, and perhaps significant the 90, with everything from a wet bar to ments for the Ocean Alexander 90
other, gets a comfortable double-berth a country galley to a hot tub. A helm is on including several three- and four-statecabin while another crew member has centerline forward with three Stidd helm room layouts, and an enclosed sky lounge
a single-berth cabin just forward. This chairs and, darn it, the same raised monitor in place of the open bridge.
single is hinged to reveal a stainless-steel cut down my view of the pointy end. I’m
Standing on the dock after explorworkbench underneath. Both crew cabins sure this one could be adjusted too. Just ask. ing the 90, I had one thought: This is a
share a nicely finished head with shower,
On this particular 90, a big lounge is 110-footer in a 90-foot package. That's
and there is a crew mess with settee, mini next to the helm, inviting guests to curl pretty amazing.
galley and entertainment system.
up and watch the scenery. Because the forOcean Alexander, 954-779-1905;
The bridge is the alfresco living area on ward half of the bridge is protected by a
oceanalexanderyachts.com
56 may 2014 / yach ting
w w w. ya cht i ng ma ga zin e . c o m
Building for the Sea
Construction of the Ocean Alexander 90 is to current thinking, with hand-laid and vacuum-bagged hull and decks reinforced with carbon fiber in high-load
areas. Below the waterline the hull is solid fiberglass, while closed-core foam is used in the topsides. Inside, a longitudinal and lateral fiberglass grid of top-hat
stringers filled with high-density foam provides strength and longevity. Here’s where it gets interesting: The deck and bridge are both reinforced with aluminum
I-beams, which add strength and stiffness without weight. Corrosion-resistant aluminum is used in the window mullions, in the deckhouse sides and in both
the main floor and overhead. Tied into composite crossbeams and the stringer system, these materials create a strong, stiff and squeak-free structure. — C.C.
www. y a c h tin gm a ga zin e . c o m may 2 0 1 4 / ya c ht i n g 57