Cruising and Chartering

Ocean Alexander 120: All American

The newest Ocean Alexander is made in the USA.

By Dudley Dawson

Updated: March 5, 2013

Perhaps it is because the designs have always come from the board of Ed Monk Jr., a legendary second-generation designer located on Bainbridge Island, just across Puget Sound from Seattle. Perhaps it is because so many Ocean Alexander yachts, rugged sea boats mostly in the 60- to 80-foot range, have found a home on the West Coast. Here, they are recognized for their sound construction and first-class equipment, built to cruise the unforgiving waters between California and Alaska in safety and comfort. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

Whatever the reason, I had a preconception of what an Ocean Alexander yacht was, and what it was not. When I first caught wind of plans for the company’s 120, I thought there must be some mistake. But as I probed the luxurious interior of the completed vessel (the first yacht in this builder’s new “megayacht” series) it quickly became apparent that such was not the case. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

Here, indeed, was a great yacht that retained everything loved by current Ocean Alexander owners, yet took the builder and its product line to a distinctly new level. Indeed, the company refers to its models under 100 feet in length as motoryachts and those over as megayachts, to establish a line between the two. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

The first big change for this latest series was in the selection of a designer. The new models all have interior designs and exterior styling by Evan K. Marshall, a noted designer of larger custom yachts. Marshall practices his trade in London but was born, raised and trained in the United States, so he thoroughly understands the mind-set and preferences of the American yachtsmen who are expected to comprise a majority of the new owners. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

The second big change, and one that surprised me, was Ocean Alexander’s decision — a first for the company — to build somewhere other than its own manufacturing plant. Consistent with that PNW cachet, it selected Christensen Shipyards’ facility in Vancouver, Washington. This Vancouver is not on Puget Sound, like the one in British Columbia, but it is close enough to share the ethic of the area. Christensen is located on the Columbia River, so the folks there too understand what’s required to stand up to rough water. They have been building large fiberglass yachts for the world’s elite since 1983, first under the direction of founder Dave Christensen and now under president Joe Foggia. This yard furnished more than just the construction, taking on the detailed engineering of the 120-foot build as well. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

The result of all this history and collaboration is impressive. Ocean Alexander’s 120 is a first-class motoryacht that can go head-to-head with the best in her class. One of my preconceptions involved expecting to see PNW trawler stylings that were not evident, except perhaps in the clean orderliness of the engine room. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

In the salon, plush carpet and rich upholstery in shades of brown, tan and gold complemented the finely finished joinery and the marble sole in the dining area. Continuing the palette throughout the yacht, exquisite stonework appears on the decks and bulkheads and as part of the decor. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

Etched glass is used extensively for cabinet and locker doors, with subtle lighting playing a pivotal role in highlighting these works of art. Where glass is not appropriate, the doors are made of burled wood. The galley, finished in brushed stainless steel and marble, includes a spacious dinette that would rival the main dining area on many smaller Ocean Alexanders. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

A full-beam master stateroom, located forward on the main deck, is fitted with a king-size berth on centerline, a settee to port and a lighted vanity/desk to starboard. Three large windows flank the stateroom on each side, and single windows of equal size bring lots of light into the main bath area to show off its centerline soaking tub and glass-enclosed shower. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

Accommodations belowdecks include four guest staterooms, two with queen-size berths amidships, adjacent to the engine room, and two with twin berths forward, adjacent to the crew’s quarters. All include the same triple hull-side window as the master stateroom, albeit on one side only, as well as a single matching window in the head. Abaft the engine room on this level is a garage with a transom door that’s large enough to accept a tender of up to 15 feet in length. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

The main-deck master suite is ideally suited for flexibility in accommodating an assortment of guests, whether friends and family or charter parties. In fact, chartering played an important role in planning the design, as the yacht’s size and capacity are nearly optimum for such use. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

Most yachts of this size, even if they remain private for the initial owner, will eventually find their way to the charter market, so such considerations, as well as others, help to maximize resale value. Adding watertight doors to meet Maritime and Coastguard Agency requirements, for example, would be quite expensive and perhaps impossible after the fact, so the Ocean Alexander 120 is designed and built to ABS class with full MCA compliance. In addition, the yacht includes an overabundance of stowage space to meet the demands of even the most lubberly of charter guests. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

The vertical windows in the pilothouse not only are a prominent styling element, but they also provide a better view for the captain and guests. A comfortable, elevated wraparound settee and table abaft the two helm chairs are close to the action but out of the crew’s way. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

The pilothouse also includes two substantial electronics lockers, housing the navigation and communication equipment, and the onboard entertainment system. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

At the after end of the bridge deck a spacious sky lounge offers separate areas for watching videos, for chatting with guests and for playing games. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

Outside is an open afterdeck, half under cover, half exposed, to suit most activities, as well as an expanded Portuguese bridge with settee and table forward of the pilothouse. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

Topside on the open upper deck, a large hot tub overlooking the bow offers what are the best seats aboard. When the heat or the sun become too much, you can retreat to the shade provided by the extended radar arch, an area that also includes a comfortable dinette and a small bar area. More open area lies aft, with plenty of space for a number of lounge chairs or other accommodations. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

All in all, Ocean Alexander has made an impressive debut into the large-yacht market with the 120. It is a vessel well worth a look from anyone who’s looking for a semicustom yacht in this size range, and is equally suited for private family use or regular chartering. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

The 120’s heritage, with both Ocean Alexander and Christensen Shipyards behind it, and its design pedigree, with Evan K. Marshall responsible for the styling and layout, are impeccable. Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander

Ocean Alexander, 954-779-1905; oceanalexander.com LOA: 121’2″
LWL: 102’10”
BEAM: 25’2″
DRAFT: 6’6″ (half load), 6’9″ (full load)
DISPLACEMENT: 395,000 lb.
FUEL: 7,000 gal.
WATER: 1,200 gal.
HOLDING: 450 gal. black, 400 gal. gray
CONSTRUCTION: Fiberglass
DESIGN: Evan K. Marshall
NAVAL ARCHITECT: Christensen Shipyards
GENERATORS: 2 x 26 kW Caterpillar C4
STABILIZERS: ABT/Arcturus model 440
BOW THRUSTER: American Bow Thruster 16″, 65 hp
ENGINES: 2 x 1,920 hp MTU 12V 2000 diesels
SPEED: 16 knots max, 12 knots cruise
RANGE: Varies depending on load and speed
STERN THRUSTER: American Bow Thruster 16″, 50 hp
PRICE: Upon request Stephen Cridland, Courtesy Ocean Alexander