Ocean Alexander Divergence 45
The Ocean Alexander Divergence 45 is a welcome contrast from the big boat brand.
When the assignment came in for this sea trial, I thought there was a typo in the email. Sure, it said the boat to test was the Divergence 45, but it also said the builder was Ocean Alexander.
Was this American magazine going metric and specified the size in meters? That wouldn’t be too far off because Ocean Alexander (OA) is capable of building a 147-foot yacht. But no, the 45 designation represented feet, and it was an OA. Wait! What? Yup. Ocean Alexander is now building in the 45-foot range with a new center console “yacht” with
outboard power and true OA craftmanship.
Large Yacht Goes Small
It is not a typical center console, but a center console on steroids. Everywhere you look, there are components and features that are built to large yacht standards; from the deck seating to the cabin layout to the space-age console, it has the ability to be a family platform for diving or fishing as well as for entertaining.
The coolness quotient is high when you realize that both the port and starboard aft bulwarks can fold down to create mini balconies.
Noticeable at first is the single level, full walkaround deck. Transiting from fore to aft is painless thanks to the recessed cabinet pulls and low-profile drawer handles. Cleats are mounted at the top of the gunwales and recessed when not in use to maintain a sleek profile. This is critical when fishing as access around the boat is essential in maintaining the proper line angle to minimize any contact with the boat or motors.
The coolness quotient is high when you realize that both the port and starboard aft bulwarks can fold down to create mini balconies. It adds to the size of the cockpit by extending the beam from 13 feet, 9 inches to 19 feet, 1 inch. When the bulwarks are up, the patented door-within-a-door aids in boarding from either side and thanks to the extended swim platform, boarding is accessible via the stern too.
Plenty of Seats
If you’re concerned about having all your friends on board, you may run out of friends before you run out of seats. OA built ample seating into this model and each one has a
commanding vantage point. Forward is an artfully curved, three-section settee in the bow with cushioned backrests supported on each end by an extension of the coaming structure to the deck.
Many center consoles have a seat at the front of the helm, but OA went the extra mile and created a two- to three-person, full-length, forward-facing lounge settee—a voluminous area with grab rails and speakers that will be a favorite with owners and guests alike. Between the bow seating is a hi-lo dining table perfect for drinks at sunset. Lower the table and filler cushions, and this area transforms into a large sunpad lounge.
Midship, triple Llebroc helm seats adorned with thick padding, beefy bolsters, fold-down armrests, and contoured backrests keep captain and crew well positioned regardless
of the seas. The cockpit is centered with a forward and aft bench seat big enough for three each. Well-padded like all the others, the forward seat has a reversible backrest so guests can face forward during the ride out to the fishing grounds or aft when the lines are in the water. The transom seat folds out and can neatly tuck away when it’s time to fish. There’s designated seating for at least 14 of your friends.
On Deck
Entertain guests on deck with the outdoor galley cabinet between the helm seats and the cockpit. This large cabinet houses a retractable flatscreen TV as well as a Scandvik stainless steel sink and faucet, two-burner Kenyon cooktop, Kenyon grill, and U-Line fridge.
Four Fusion speakers pump out music, recessed lighting and forward/aft spreader lights illuminate in the hardtop and a retractable, motorized SureShade cockpit awning extends all the way aft to protect guests from the elements. The standard Kohler 11kW diesel generator keeps those at the helm and in the cabin cool. Options include a Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer, KVH Tracvision satellite TV, FLIR thermal night vision, and a host of other choices to personalize your 45.
Down Below
Designer Evan K. Marshall’s focus on the interior layout was to enhance the owner’s experience. To that end, Marshall starts with six-foot, six-inch headroom in the cabin accessible from a staircase to port of the helm console. Adding side and forward windows in the hull along with a skylight creates an open feel. There’s a mini galley to port equipped with a GE microwave, Isotherm fridge drawer and Scandvik sink and storage installed in a solid, satin-finished wooden cabinet.
Doing double duty is the forward dinette with U-shaped settee and center hi-lo table for dining. With the table lowered, filler cushions in place and forward seat backrest dropped, the settee becomes a queen-size berth.
There’s a separate, standup head (just over six feet) to starboard. A clear Ambassador basin sink complements the Cambria Berwyn counters and wood finish. There’s a Tecma
toilet system, and a glass door keeps the shower stall separate. A Dometic reverse cycle, extreme tropical climate, 10,000 BTU air conditioning system cools the entire cabin area.
Power at the Helm
Four 350-hp Mercury Verado outboards power the Divergence 45, and all I can say is when they light up, hold on. We screamed out of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, into a confused chop of more than four feet. The 45 skimmed across the top thanks to the sharp entry and 18-degree deadrise at the transom. My wheelman put us into a few tight turns barely pulling back on the throttles.
With a lean into the seas, the 45 came around as expected with assured footing. Although it was too choppy to get clean running specs, I did see that we were clocking more than 40 mph at one point. If it could do this speed in these conditions, then I’m confident it
can hit the 48 mph mark that OA publishes.
Controls for the 45 are at the space-age, carbon fiber helm console that is loaded with Garmin electronics, including three 17-inch multifunction displays for charts and radar,
VHF and more. There’s also Sirius XM, Lenco tabs, Mercury throttles and joystick with Skyhook, Mercury VesselView 5-inch display, Maxwell windlass controller, and other components. Electrical system controls are through the OctoPlex NMEA monitor.
In Style
The 45 comes in two styles: a cruising/dive model and a fishing version for the serious tourney crowd. For the latter, the galley can be converted to a tackle and prep area with
storage drawers for lures, hooks and gear. Additional rod holders are accessible around the boat including six built into the transom, convenient when fishing off the swim platform, as well as a transom livewell. Fish box freezer plates and outriggers are also available.
Owners can choose from a multitude of wood options, paint schemes and even matching engine cowling colors. From Marshall’s prolific pen, the Divergence 45 has a sleek yet aggressive style and design that amplifies the functions of the yacht. The broken sheer that sweeps from the high freeboard forward, the raked windshield and the low-profile
hardtop says this machine means business for both cruising and fishing in style.
Ocean Alexander knows there is a good market for center consoles and outboard-driven vessels and why they’ve taken the bold step with the Divergence 45. It’s not a typo.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 47′ 5″
Beam (bulwarks closed): 13′ 9″
Beam (bulwarks open): 19′ 1″
Draft (engines down/up): 3′ 1″/2′ 6″
Displacement (loaded): 33,950 lbs.
Fuel/Water: 607/100 gals.
Fuel (diesel for generator): 60 gals.
Power: 4x Mercury Verado 350-hp
Price: Upon request
CONTACT:
MarineMax Ocean Alexander
301 SE 17th St, Pier 66 Marina in Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
(954) 779-1905
By Tom Serio, Southern Boating June 2019