Most yachtbuilders know that change is a necessity in order to survive and thrive. To that end, Ocean Alexander’s Revolution Series of motoryachts is aptly named.
Working with yacht designer Evan K. Marshall, the shipyard has managed to combine its reputation for long-range seaworthiness with styling that adds a modern sensibility. The flagship model in the series, the OA 90R, shows off what the builder sees as a best-of-both-worlds approach. It updates Ocean Alexander’s traditional design elements with things such as a full-beam salon and substantial glazing while keeping practical features, including a 3,000-gallon fuel capacity and an enclosed pilothouse for serious cruising.
Volume is a key component throughout the 90R too. The yacht’s 22-foot-5-inch beam carries well forward to her plumb bow. The extra interior space is most noticeable on the lower deck, which houses a forepeak VIP stateroom that rivals the masters on some other yachts. This VIP has a walk-around king berth, walk-in cedar closets, wood cabinets, recessed overhead lighting, hullside windows and a sofa.
Down the companionway from the VIP are two guest staterooms with twin berths, hullside windows and en suite heads with separate shower stalls. The berths in each stateroom can slide together to form a queen.
The master stateroom is up a level, forward on the main deck. There’s a forward-facing, king-size berth with his-and-her sections to minimize movement transfer, as well as two walk-in cedar closets, Cambria-stone-topped nightstands, and wood-and-leather wall paneling. (Cambria is a manufactured stone based on mined quartz.) To port are dual armchairs with a table, and to starboard is a desk. The windows on both sides are more than 3-by-8 feet, allowing for expansive views; push-button motorized shades offer privacy. The master’s en suite head is forward with a heated sole, separate toilet compartment and Cambria-clad shower stall.
Space is also noteworthy in the 90R’s salon, which has a U-shaped sofa to port across from a three-seat sofa. Ambient light is everywhere, thanks to metal-framed 5-by-5-foot side windows, and glass doors, also to the sides as well as aft. This setup creates a constant connection to the sea at almost every point on the main deck.
The 6-foot-9-inch headroom in the salon makes the 90R feel like a much larger yacht, with mega-style amenities including a drop-down 55-inch TV with Crestron and iPad mini controls.
A fixed cabinet separates the salon from the dining area and its eight-seat table, which runs fore-to-aft on the port side—rather than athwartships, as on most yachts in this class. The placement allows room to starboard for a wet-bar island with a concealed stainless-steel Blanco sink, drink-chiller buckets, a fridge and wine chiller. The bar has a stone top with light-oak trim and high-gloss walnut panels, making it a showpiece setup for serving cocktails or arranging a buffet.
Forward of the dining area is a country-kitchen-style galley. A breakfast nook to port has an L-shaped settee and Cambria-top table that matches the countertops. Appliances include a Bosch cooktop and oven, full-size Fisher & Paykel fridge, Thermador microwave, an Asko dishwasher, and a Franke sink. Two pocket doors can close off the galley for privacy during formal dinners or parties.
Up a floating staircase is the sky lounge. An open bridge is standard here, with an enclosed space as an option. Visibility is 360 degrees not just from the helm station but from any spot, be it at the tiered wet bar with fridge drawers or the low-profile, L-shaped settee for eight. Like the salon, the sky lounge has lofty headroom at 6 feet, 9 inches. Sliding glass doors lead to the bridge deck aft, which has its own wet bar, an electric grill, twin corner lounge seats and, if owners want it, an optional eight-person Jacuzzi.
Forward in the sky lounge is the command center, a space-age-like helm station that has a raised floating console with three 24-inch Garmin multifunction displays. Managing the house breakers and switch circuits is an OctoPlex control system, which allows everything electrical to be monitored and switched from a touchscreen. All other systems and controls are installed on the flat dash. Bow and stern thrusters are standard.
When it’s time to relax after anchoring out, the main deck aft offers shade beneath the sky lounge overhang, as well as alfresco dining and transom seating. Side- boarding gates and twin swim-platform staircases should make getting in and out of the water easier, while a drop-down 40-inch TV and a wet bar with a fridge and ice maker can keep the party going for hours.
For more social enjoyment, the bow lounge is accessible from a side-deck staircase. There’s a U-shaped settee with a table that should be perfect for sunset viewing. Just forward is a sun pad that can fit four guests. Elliptical grab rails are built to keep the area safe, with two stanchions in every support spot.
And owners should have plenty of time to relax at the bow with their guests, given that the 90R is designed to cruise with crew. Two cabins, a galley, head with a shower and lounge area with a 24-inch TV are standard. Oak wood and leather panels finish the decor in the crew quarters, should owners want to use the space for teenagers or surprise overnight guests.
One aspect Marshall creatively conquered is the stowage conundrum. Walking through the 90R, you notice how cleanly the interior decor blends together, with the leather-and-wood wall panels and marble and walnut inlays, without intrusive cabinet doors and handles. That’s because the wall panels conceal the stowage compartments and are accessed by push locks.
With a design built around space and comfort to keep owners and guests connected to the sea at every turn, Ocean Alexander’s 90R shows that joining the revolution can be a surprisingly good thing.
Seaside Serenity
The Ocean Alexander 90R’s beach club includes an air-conditioned, glass-enclosed lounge that makes it a perfect perch for watching the kids in the water. The space doubles as a semiprivate oasis for morning coffee or an afternoon cocktail. It has a bar, fridge, ice maker, 40-inch TV, L-shaped settee and ottoman. Teak decking adds style. The glass doors have an inflated gasket to prevent water intrusion.
Piercing Through
Ocean Alexander replaced its standard bulbous bow with a wave-piercing one on the 90R. Instead of pushing water so the yacht can ride up and down over the waves, this bow parts the seas, cutting through and allowing the hull to slip along with less resistance.
By the Numbers
Nestled between the diamond-plated sole and dual 40-kW Kohler generators are twin 1,900 hp MAN V-12 2000 diesels spinning Aqua 22HS shafts and nibral propellers. Combined with the hull by Arrabito Naval Architects, the power package allows for a maximum range of 407 nautical miles at 25.1 knots, burning 185 gallons per hour. Dialing the yacht back to 9.9 knots, fuel burn drops to 27 gph and range increases to 1,100 nm.
Take the next step: oceanalexander.com
