I'm curious about the 4 foot extension to the OA 50 Mark II as I have seen a few of them now. It seems like a lot of expense just to gain some fish cleaning or martini space and I wonder if the main reason is to eliminate an undesirable handling condition. Comments???
I don't see any underwater pics or drawings on my fast search. Can you tell if the propeller shaft angle was changed? I've seen a bunch of after factory extensions and only a few have taken advantage of the new length to lessen the thrust angle. If your going to improve length / beam ratio, why not improve other inefficiencies. I'm rambling here and a bit off your topic, but maybe OA had requests for a cockpit. Sometimes you have to build for the customers.. Wish I had a cockpit.
I ran a 1978 50' Ocean Alexander that you're talking about with a FB. It came from the factory at 50', didn't have a cockpit. As weird as the boat handled in a 4-5' following sea, I wouldn't want to add an extension to it.
Not sure what you have but I am referring to the Mark II Pilothouse which I believe came out in the mid 80s.
It was a 50' Ocean Alexander MK1, like this one http://www.**************/boats/1981/Ocean-Alexander-MK-I-2832048/Nanaimo/Canada#.VZ9PH5ezqT8
Ok, thanks. Wasn't sure what you meant by "no cockpit." Please explain the weird handling. Interesting, the link you provided is just up the road a piece. I'll likely go have a look next week.
In a following sea, of 4' it would ride on the side of the keel and felt like the side of the hull as well and surf for about 300 yards and then it would turn 45 degrees and right itself.....common with a lot of trawlers.