Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence steals Sydney show spectacular

The boat arrived at Sydney looking stunning from every angle, and easily scored top gun status with an awesome transom bank of four 350hp Mercury Verado outboard engines.

The blue beauty, priced from $1,899,000, is quite a radical departure for luxury motor cruiser marque Ocean Alexander.

Ocean Alexander is a name synonymous with super-comfortable 70-130 foot multi-deck inboard-engined motor yachts, not a super-fast outboard-rigged speedster.

However, the Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence is really a clever move by the long-established US/Taiwanese boat-maker.

Lately, there's been a growing demand for smaller luxury sports boats to support superyachts.

The Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence is designed to give owners something smaller, faster and more mobile for heading ashore, or just enjoying adventures such as fishing, diving or going for a blast to a more remote location.

In the past, this segment was catered to with maxi-console boats and RIBs. The 45 Divergence takes the concept further with a more powerful hull matched to 1400hp of outboard power. Top speed is 40 knots-plus.

There's a real superyacht feel to the Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence, with its advanced resin-fusion construction and custom superyacht paint finish, with a choice of either a painted deck finish or rich teak decking (as pictured) to compliment the high-end upholstered seating.

The Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence is designed for entertaining with plus-size lounges both on the aft deck and foredeck. These spacious social areas expand via side verandas on both sides of the craft.

The for'ard lounge provides one of the biggest and most comfortable sun lounges you've ever seen.

At night the rear lounge becomes a magical entertainment zone with a retractable awning, a TV screen that rises up from a hidden recess, and dining table.

The dining table also electrically retracts into the floor so there's plenty of free deck space for daytime activities and water sports. Meanwhile, a lazarette in front of the outboards can be specified at the factory to suit sporting passions ranging from sport fishing to scuba diving and tow sports.

Whilst the Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence is filling orders on the superyacht front, the new outboard-powered day boat is also filling the gap as a standalone day cruiser.

On that score, the Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence stacks up well with a decent below-decks cabin incorporating fully equipped galley, decent bathroom with shower stall, and a dinette that transforms into a double berth.

Speaking at Friday’s official launch of the high-end day cruiser, Alexander Marine Australia dealer principal Todd Holzapfel said there was much interest from potential day boat buyers at Sydney.

Holzapfel said larger cruiser owners were “blown away” by the Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence’s room and luxury deck seating, and loved the convenience of the spacious walk-around deck.

As day boats go, the Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence is a fast, fun craft to drive with an impressive-looking triple-seat helm station. The day boat is also designed to be independent of the shore with an 11kW Kohler diesel generator providing away-from-home power.

A 2298-litre fuel capacity enhances the capacity to stay away longer, while a Seakeeper 6 stabiliser helps keep the cocktails from spilling.

The Evan K Marshall-designed boat on show at Sydney was hull number seven, with build numbers for the Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence already reaching into the high teens.

Specifications
Model: Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence
Length: 13.6m
Waterline length: 11.29m
Beam: 4.19m (side decks retracted)/5.82m (side decks extended)
Draft: 0.76m (engines up)/0.95m (engines down)
Displacement: 15,300kg
Engines: Quad 350hp Mercury Verado
Maximum power: 1400hp
Fuel: 2298L
Water: 379L
Holding tank: 151L