Ocean Alexander is stepping way outside its box and is building a totally new line, called Divergence, a 45-foot luxury outboard powered by four 350-hp Mercury Verados. The new boat, being built at the old Sea Ray factory on Merritt Island, Florida, will be ready for the Miami show in February.
So far, Ocean Alexander has earned a reputation for quality and customer service in the large yacht and megayacht worlds. Its existing lineup stretches from 70 to 155 feet. But the 40-to-50-foot segment is hot now, as is the outboard market. The new Divergence fits into both of those trends, plus one more. The boat’s bulwarks in the cockpit fold down more than four feet on each side, providing enough room for two chairs and a table both port and starboard. More and more boats, large and small, are adding some type of hull expansion for entertaining; Ocean Alexander is tapping into a growing trend.
Even with the bulwarks in their normal position, the cockpit is large enough to hold two large lounges and a table. The entire area can be covered by an awning that extends from the hardtop over the helm deck.
The boat has an aggressive look overall, with a sharp entry and a raked windshield. The helm has three seats, and behind it a console can be set up as a bait station for fishing or an outdoor entertaining and dining center. Ocean Alexander says it will work with customers to design the boat to their desires. Forward, a lounge seat is built into the front of the console, and there’s U-shaped seating in the bow.
Below, a U-shaped lounge can convert into a double berth. There’s a small galley, and an enclosed head with a stall shower.
The hull has an 18-degree deadrise at the transom, so it should perform well offshore. And it has only 16’ 2” of air draft with the antenna down, so it can fit under most of Florida’s bridges as well as all of those on the Great Loop. An 11kW Kohler genset is standard.
Specs.: LOA: 47’5”; Beam: 13’9”; Draft: 3’1” Disp.: 28,900 lbs.; Fuel: 607 gals.; Water: 100 gals.; Power: 4×350-hp Mercury Verado outboards.
