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Back in the 1960’s, some West Coast brokers discovered that if they built boats in Taiwan, where the labor rate was a fraction of what it was in the United States, they could undercut domestic manufacturers and increase their profits. The first hardy souls who embraced this gambit were quickly reminded that there is no free lunch. For while they possessed an inherent talent with the crafting and finishing of wood, the Taiwanese knew less about fiberglass and even less about marine engineering. Consequently, full-time, on-site supervisory staff was required to make sure things were done right.
Today, that’s all changed. The labor-cost advantage is gone, but so are the deficiencies. Taiwanese yards are now widely considered to be among the world’s best, which is why many of the most respected designers and naval architects routinely build there. That includes Alexander Marine, which is different in that it has built boats only for itself for its entire 26-year life. That includes more than 1,000 Ocean Alexanders, delivered to a worldwide dealership network that today numbers 12.
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Such stability and success are in part due to its boatbuilding prowess and partly to its exclusive relationship with three men: naval architect Ed Monk, Jr., hydrodynamicist Ed Hegemann, and structural specialist Tim Nolan. Hegemann makes sure every hull performs the way it should; and Nolan makes sure they are strong, but it is Monk, the Pacific Northwest icon, who gives each Ocean Alexander the look of a real sea boat and the generous interior proportions almost any cruiser would love.
The newest Ocean Alexander is no exception. It’s called the 58/64 Pilothouse because two transom configurations are offered: one with an integral swim platform and the other with a “Eurostyle transom” that features port and starboard curved stairways to the platform, a larger cockpit, and a longer bridge overhang. I tested a 64 out of the Newport Beach, California, dealership, Orange Coast Yachts.
The moment I stepped aboard, two things struck me: lots of beautiful wood and lots of room. The former is a reminder of what made Taiwanese boats famous. Our test boat displayed Burmese teak, cherry burl, and bird’s-eye maple, flawlessly crafted and finished (in optional high gloss). Nearly every wall was paneled and every corner was radiused with solid wood. Since Ocean Alexanders are semicustom, virtually any wood is available. In fact, the yard is amenable to any changes that do not alter a vessel’s engineering or structural integrity. Such flexibility was obvious in the 64’s saloon, which is typically configured differently by each owner. Teak dominated on our boat, with burl accenting an expandable circular dining table in the aft starboard corner and port-side cabinets that housed the retractable plasma TV (aft) and other entertainment components (forward).
As for the roominess, a signature of Monk designs, it’s all the more remarkable considering the one-foot-wide side decks, a feature that along with port and starboard pantographic pilothouse doors (with nifty retracting screens), cockpit and pilothouse bridge stairways, and waist-high stainless steel rails will be appreciated by the majority of 64 owners who run their boats themselves. Those who do take along guests will also like a pilothouse that promotes socializing. Directly to port of the helm, a big, circular dinette delivers a killer combination: 180-degree views, proximity to the helmsman, and ready access to the galley, which is directly abaft the helm. Besides solid-marble counters and an efficient U-shape, our galley displayed a full-size, side-by-side refrigerator, microwave, four-burner cooktop, and trash compactor. There was also plenteous stowage, including a handy cabinet for dishes in the table’s pedestal. Careful planning is obvious: The dishwasher is on the forward side of the galley-helm counter, in what would otherwise be dead space, and the Lazy Susan in the aft starboard corner is encircled in wood so things can’t fall out and get lost in the corner.
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