I liked the redundant hydraulic power takeoffs on each engine for anchor windlass, davit, ABT stabilizers and ABT 25-horsepower proportional bow thruster. And I really liked the tidy and seamanlike way that Ocean Alexander secures all the plumbing and wiring, with clear labels and intuitive routing for future service. A pair of Onan 27.5 kW gensets handle the electrical needs, and the Octoplex electrical control system monitors all power sources (AC and DC).
I could go on endlessly about the thoughtfully chosen standard equipment, but I want to get up to the bridge, which is a space that should be measured in hectares rather than feet. All the techy stuff is forward, with a pair of Stidd helm chairs at the simple fiberglass and black plastic dash, all tucked behind a venturi windscreen. Just abaft the helm area is a big settee with a dining table so long they made a removable bridge so a dozen people don’t have to move to let out that one person in the middle who forgot to use the loo. This is all tucked under a nicely finished fiberglass hardtop with a huge electric sliding sunroof.
The port side is filled with a wraparound two-level granite bar with five built-in stools and the best view in the house. An Electric Chef grill is ready to sear your filets, and a chef/bartender will find all the necessities at hand. I was impressed by something so often forgotten, especially with granite counters: a fiddle on the edge to keep spills from becoming waterfalls. Farther aft, an immense sun pad has adjustable backrests and huge stowage underneath. A Besenzoni davit handles up to a 14-foot tender, and the wide swim platform lowers into the water if you want to carry PWCs there.
Oh, and one other item about the bridge that you’d never love until you owned an 85E: All the water from rain or washdown is routed into scuppers that bear the Ocean Alexander logo and then piped down to water-level drains. No more black stripes on your house or topsides from runoff. Hurrah!
Under way, the Ocean Alexander 85E is as fast as you’d expect, considering the 3,600 snorting and pawing horses stuffed into the engine room. Top speed is a freckle more than 22 knots, but, if you’re not in a hurry to get home, a comfortable 50 percent load gives you about 13 knots at two gallons per mile.
Yep, I loved the Ocean Alexander 85E, not just because she’s luxurious and comfortable and beautifully built, but also because she’s a fine tribute to Alex Chueh.
Ocean Alexander; www.oceanalexander.com
LOA: 84’8”
BEAM: 20’1”
DRAFT: 5’4”
DISPL.: 171,600 lb.
FUEL: 1,900 gal.
WATER: 350 gal.
HOLDING: 200 gal.
CONSTRUCTION: Composite
DESIGN: Ed Monk Jr.
INTERIOR DESIGN: Destry Darr
GENERATORS: 2 x Onan 27.5 kW
STABILIZERS: ABT hydraulic
BOW THRUSTER: ABT hydraulic 25 hp
ENGINES: 2 x 1,600 hp MTU 10V 2000 diesels
SPEED: 22.2 knots max
RANGE: 2,200 miles at 10.7 knots
PRICE: $5,790,000
