Alaska 45 Flybridge

The Alaska 45 is part of an exciting new range of luxury cruisers imported by Leigh-Smith Cruiser Sales at Gold Coast City Marina, Coomera, Queensland. Built by DHS Yacht Co in Shanghai, China from an Italian design, the full range of Alaska models offers real value for money.

The basis of this review is the 45 Flybridge, but we did also run our eyes over the 45 Sedan, which is basically an identical boat but obviously without the upper helm station. The full Alaska range incorporates sedan and flybridge models from 42-60ft.

Leigh-Smith Cruiser Sales is marketing the Alaska range as 'turnkey' packages. Each boat comes standard with fittings normally located on the options list. Items such as a generator, air conditioning, bowthruster and electronic controls all make the $795,000 pricetag on the 45 Flybridge so much more appealing. Prices start from $575,000 for the 42 Sedan and $695,000 for the 45 Sedan.

Although most of the construction is carried out in China, some of the more intricate and personal fitout is done in Australia. Things like soft furnishings, carpet and electronics installation is carried out by local tradespeople to ensure a high standard of finish.

Perhaps the teak decks should also be fitted here, as they weren't of the standard we expect to see on Aussie–built luxury cruisers. Generally the fitout was very good, though, and there were only a few areas where I thought attention to detail and quality control could be improved.

WOLF IN SHEEPSKINS
Although the Alaska 45 gives the appearance of a 10-12kt displacement cruiser, hidden below are twin 330hp Cummins diesels that provide a top speed of 24kt. A comfortable cruise is achieved at 18kt, which means much more flexibility on extended cruises.

Having a full keel, the hull still works efficiently at 10-12kt much like any other displacement hull - but if the weather turns foul and you need to hightail it to the nearest port, it's nice to know the capability is there.

We ran the Alaska 45 across the Southport bar in 25kt of breeze and into a very confused sea. [Ed: Yes, the photos here were taken on a different and much more glamorous day.]

I was very impressed with how well the Alaska handled the conditions. There was no pounding whatsoever - testament to the solid construction of the hull. The only mistake we made was staying on the flybridge to cross the bar. With no clears fitted to the test boat, we copped our fair share of spray as we punched through the breaking water.

I guess that's why you have a downstairs helm - for occasions like that - but if you wanted to drive from upstairs all the time, a good set of clears would be a wise investment.

Once we turned downsea and trimmed the nose up, the boat shed the spray nicely. With waves and swell coming from all directions as we re-entered the bar, the boat did want to steer from the bow somewhat. This is one of the compromises of having a full keel. With a consistent sea, though, it ran straight and true.

The Alaska 45 features full walkaround decks that do reduce some of your internal volume in the saloon, but in my opinion this is the only way to go. It really does make mooring the boat that much easier.

Being able to get from the bow to the stern and vice versa in a matter of seconds is a must if you are mooring the boat short-handed. There were just two of us aboard on the day of the test and it was a nil-stress exercise getting the Alaska in and out of its pen.

With twin screws and a bowthruster, it really is a snap to park, and a husband and wife could handle it on their own without any dramas.

Having said that, knowing where your swim platform ends is important, as vision to the aft corners from the upper helm wasn't that great. This is where good communication with your partner on the dock is essential. 

SOCIAL SCIENCE
The test boat featured a three-cabin layout with the master stateroom being the forward-most cabin. There was a guest cabin on either side of the companionway. The lower helm, saloon and galley are all at deck level, making it a very social layout.

Cherrywood veneer has been used extensively throughout the boat, which provides a warm and classic feel. Intelligently, all internal timberwork has been finished in solid teak edging for durability, and the teak itself has been finished with a matt stain to complement the cherrywood colouration.

In contrast to the dark timber, light-coloured fabrics have been used for all furnishings, and cream-coloured Corian benchtops are used in the galley. Although teak and holly flooring has been used throughout the boat, a light-coloured yet hard-wearing carpet has been laid to again brighten the interior and also offer some noise reduction. The big side windows provide plenty of natural light into the saloon.

The master stateroom features a queen-sized island berth that can be raised to access the bowthruster motor and battery. Three storage drawers are also incorporated into the bed base. A hanging locker is located to starboard with room to install a TV above. Separate air conditioning, intercom and appropriate lighting are also included.

An overhead deck hatch provides natural light and ventilation and also doubles as an emergency escape hatch.

The en suite to the master stateroom is fairly compact but has all the necessary features nonetheless. These include a separate shower stall with aluminium folding door, electric toilet, vanity unit with Corian benchtop, exhaust fan and overhead hatch.

Moving aft down the companionway, the first cabin to starboard is the dayhead. This bathroom mirrors the en suite in features and again it would be nice if there were a bit more space.

Aft of the dayhead is one of the guest cabins, which features a transverse double berth. This is a good use of space although some may find it a bit of a contortion act to climb into bed. Hanging space is also provided in this cabin and a small bedside chest of drawers provides additional storage.

Another clever inclusion in this cabin is the cabinets, which provide access to major wiring runs and circuitry.

The second guest cabin is located on the port side and is quite large. It features two very long single bunks that even a basketball player couldn't complain about. Making the most of space once again, the air-conditioning duct has been finished in timber veneer with a teak grate that blends in nicely.

The top forms a small beside shelf and a three-drawer bedside table is located below. A hanging locker and bedside lighting is also provided.

STEPPIN' UP
Four steps up from the companionway you find yourself at saloon level. Directly to starboard is the lower helm, which is serviced by a bench seat and an oversized steering wheel.

Vision forward is excellent from the helm, although on extended voyages the bench seat could be a bit hard on the back. Practical yes, but not the most ergonomic of arrangements.

The dash is finished in dark trim to prevent glare, and all gauges and electronics are in good view - particularly when standing at the helm. Kobelt electronic controls are precise and responsive, and the Sidepower bowthruster makes parking a cinch.

An optional Furuno sounder and chartplotter were fitted to the test boat, but the Raymarine Tri-Data unit is standard.

A stainless-steel pilothouse door adjacent to the helm is another smart inclusion. No swelling timber to get stuck here, just silky-smooth sliding stainless steel. Having the door right next to the helm means you can stand outside on the sidedeck and still reach your electronic controls - just the thing for a starboard-side tie-up.

I would move the bowthruster control over so it could be reached from the same position. The pilothouse door is duplicated on the port side also.

Opposite the helm is another bench seat for passengers to keep an eye on the passage ahead, in front of whom is a huge chart table with a chart locker below. It's nice to see that some boatbuilders know you can't rely on C-Map charts everywhere you go.

The saloon features a lounge/dinette to starboard and a compact galley to port. The dinette table folds away to form a coffee table, or when extended it could seat five or six for dinner with a couple of loose chairs.

The galley provides excellent bench space with lift-out sections in the Corian revealing a single-burner electric hob and huge stainless-steel sink. The fridge/freezer located aft is smart, as it can be accessed from the cockpit without trampling through the saloon if you've just been for a swim.

A flatscreen TV with built-in DVD player is mounted on a swinging bracket against the aft saloon bulkhead so it can be viewed from just about anywhere.

Bi-fold stainless-steel doors are another highlight and really join the saloon and the cockpit nicely. They let in plenty of light and ventilation, but if you ever had to get an engine out it wouldn't be a drama either.

The cockpit is absolutely huge, mainly due the boat's 4.35m beam (that's nearly 15ft in the old scale). It is also fairly sparse apart from the big central hatch to access the lazarette. You can get to the engine room via this hatch also. 

DANCER IN THE DARK
The spacious cockpit lends itself to entertaining and I could see it turning into a dance floor as the evening progresses. Coaming height is quite low, but the full stainless-steel railing ensures that safety is not a problem.

A transom door and hinged rail on the starboard side provide access to the swim platform, which is the best access on and off the boat. Big scuppers disperse the water quickly and large stainless fairleads keep the teak cap rails pristine.

To ensure that you spend more time boating and less time varnishing, the teak cap rails on the Alaska have been finished in Cetol oil, which doesn't produce the sheen of varnish but sure cuts back on maintenance.

Other cockpit highlights include a transom shower for a freshwater washdown after a swim plus a small sink and icemaker located at the forward end of the cockpit on the port side.

Access to the flybridge is via a solid staircase on the starboard side of the cockpit. This is much better than a ladder, and plenty of handrails make the climb so much easier.

Although the flybridge is fairly spacious it could probably do with a bit of a redesign. The helm is fairly low and not well suited to the helmsman who likes to stand and drive. A small bench seat does the job behind the helm, but limits one's vision somewhat.

The bimini top provided the necessary sun protection, but a set of clears is essential if you are planning to drive from the flybridge during ocean passages.

The aft end of the flybridge is segregated by a stainless-steel gate and would probably be a good place to fit a liferaft - or you could even squeeze in a small inflatable dinghy at a pinch.

All in all, I thought the Alaska 45 represented very good value for money. There is a lot of boat for the pricetag, and with a little more attention to detail, this solidly constructed boat will be right up there with the best of them.

HIGHS

LOWS