Ocean Alexander 28 Explorer launched at Sanctuary Cove

According to Alexander Marine Australia dealer principal Todd Holzapfel, it's all a sign of just how committed Ocean Alexander is to the Australian market.

“Our principles are aware of the opportunity [in the Australian market] now,” Holzapfel said.

“We need to educate a section of the market as to why Ocean Alexander is a premium product and why you pay a premium price for it.

“We will never compete with mainstream brands but we don't wish to.

“We certainly don't need to in terms of our volume into the US – anything we make can be sold in the US.

“So it's a strategy to grow the business,” Holzapfel says. “The easy business would be to send it to us and not bother down here.

“This [bringing the Ocean Alexander 28 Explorer to Australia for its global debut] is a very expensive exercise for us. It's just 100 percent commitment to the brand.

“So we're very lucky.”

Priced from around $US18 million ($A25 million) as it sits on the water, the all-new Ocean Alexander 28 Explorer looks imposing alongside its Sanctuary Cove marina mooring.

Above the water, it’s all right angles and extensive freeboards reaching through to the upper decks, with stainless steel garnishes and the deep hull windows breaking up the container ship-like proportions of the sides.

We go on a tour of the motor yacht, stepping aboard via a large swim deck with a lowering central section that can support a pair of jet skis or a tender up to 600kg.

A lowering side deck – an Ocean Alexander signature, even on a vessel of this size and stature – extends the size of this space.

This boat is the full entertainers’ package, with a transom wet bar including a fridge – you soon realise numerous fridges are tucked away in all sorts of spaces throughout this boat.

Stairs from the transom lead up to a large, open mezzanine deck lounge space with yet another wet bar, covered by the extended bridgedeck overhead and overlooking the lower deck.

Through a large sliding glass door bulkhead is the saloon space featuring clear views outside through the largest windows that Ocean Alexander could fit to this boat. Subtle stainless steel rails and low coamings on the side decks ensure the view outside is maximised.

As you walk in, this boat features a hidden galley that would appeal to any commercial chef. Dominating the centre of the space is a large lounge space and a dining table that would easily accommodate up to 10 people. An electrically opening side access door opening up to the starboard walkway gives easy external access to a saloon day head.

The saloon space is big but could be bigger; this is the smallest model in the Ocean Alexander boat range to feature a deck-level master stateroom that sits forward of the saloon.

The king-size master stateroom is nothing short of stunning, featuring deep side windows and a curved glass screen looking forward and following the shape of the coach house.

To one side is a walk-in robe, and to the other is a bathroom replete with a head that has one of the best views on the boat. The ensuite includes a heated floor for comfort, while the vanity mirror can lower electrically if you’d rather see the view out the window than yourself as you brush your teeth.

Downstairs, one space has been dedicated to an onboard gymnasium that can also come as a wine cellar, office space, or even overflow refrigeration depending on the owner’s needs.

The below-deck space includes four double staterooms, with the starboard bed splitting to provide twin singles if needed. Each cabin has its own full ensuite.

The forward staterooms come close to outshining the aft VIP stateroom, with huge hull windows looking out close to the waterline.

Heading upstairs to the bridge deck reveals the Ocean Alexander 28 Explorer’s three-seat helm behind the deep three-piece windscreen.

There’s nothing complicated about it. Controls are few and logical, with the dashboard dominated by three 19-inch Garmin multifunction screens that tap into the two powerful 1650hp MAN V12s that power the vessel along at up to 19 knots, but are optimised for a 16-knot cruise speed. Even more range can be eked out at a 10-knot top speed.

At the heart of the boat’s electronics is an OctoPlex digital power switching management system that includes manual overrides so that owners can troubleshoot faults by manually switching on isolated systems.

The system also allows technicians from ocean Alexander’s Taiwan-based hub to remotely connect and help troubleshoot problems, even while cruising.

The large enclosed space on the bridgedeck includes a work desk to one side, a large lounge and U-shaped sofa, and more fridge space.

Two large sliding glass doors open to the bridgedeck cockpit made to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle.

Dominating the space is a large U-shaped lounge with yet another fridge handy to it. There’s also a big dining space, and aft is a four-person spa tub surrounded by sun lounges.

It’s a huge space and can be covered entirely in shade cloth to offer sun protection in harsher climates.

Up front, the Ocean Alexander 28 Explorer features a large semi-Portuguese-style lounge raised above deck level that includes a table.

The Ocean Alexander 28 Explorer is designed as an ocean-going motor yacht that is capable of travelling to far-flung anchorages, all while keeping its occupants wrapped in luxury.

That it comes wrapped in such a high-volume package is a bonus.