Problems on late model Ocean Alexander?

And we are stepping back, trying to evaluate the boat a bit before investing in a survey. Thanks for your wise advise, I am listening!

Yachtguy, do you know what year Monk left Ocean Alexander? I am looking at a 45 OA sedan that seems to be in good condition ( I will find out at the survey). The gel coat is dull and there are several areas with crazing and cracks, especially around the bow pulpit and windlass. I expect the boat will need to be prepped and painted in the near future., but otherwise everything appears shipshape. I have heard of some problems with Quality Control on more recent vessels built within the last ten years. Also, has anyone experienced problems with Caterpillar 3126 TA engines (420 HP, built in 2002), pushing a 37,000 pound boat?

I agree that a survey is money well spent. From my years of visiting builders around the world, I would look where you can't see components. Lift the floor in the engine room and look at items such as pumps and wiring harnesses. Besides the obvious wear and tear of an older boat, would you be proud to show this to your buddy and brag? Something to think about.

From a build quality assessment, I've found the OA's to be very well built. Design/layout wise, Ed Monk Jr. did a great job and our 44 is about the best we've seen. To get anything that would sway us away would easily add 10' to the OAL.
Now, for the downside, it's the past owners that are the problem for most boats. The neglect in keeping these updated and maintained is what you're needing to look for and be prepared to tackle. You can negotiate that into the purchase price or suck it up yourself - one way or the other, it will be addressed so turning a blind eye out of love for the boat won't help you. Find the best surveyor's possible and look carefully at all aspects. There are a few good boats out there and then there's all the rest....

As a past 2005 Carver 396 ACMY owner, I agree with the Carver assessment.....great large lake/coastal boat, would never bring it to So. Florida to go to the islands.

I see many 53 Carvers in Florida
Some are very well kept up

Hi Jim
I am the captain on a 2011 88 OA with massive cracking problems. We are spending over 500k to repair and paint. I know of three other boats in that size range with the same problem and I am sure there are others. The problem is the excessive low quality filler/ ferring material. Also they didn't bed any of the deck fittings or cabinet hinges. Major water intrusion! We are having to re-fiberglass most of the repairs because of delamination. What have you seen?

One challenge is knowing who built the boat and where. Do you know that regarding the one you captain?

Does OA build their 88/90 in any other yard than Ka Shing?

I'm not sure what they've built where over the years, but know they've built boats in other places. I don't know if they tried anything but 120's at Christensen and their Florida facility didn't exist at the time yours was built. Most Chinese builders have had times they used other yards there. I wouldn't have thought they would have needed to at the time yours was built.

However, there's a change that took place in 2011 that may shed light. Is the boat you captain, gelcoat? They say on their website that in 2011 "We replace our meticulously applied gelcoat exterior with a superior, highly protective aircraft-standard polyurethane skin." The meticulously applied gelcoat exterior sounds a bit like he doth protest too loudly. I don't know what led to the change or how it went but would not be surprised that some problems ensued either before or after or both. I'm also betting they deny any problems but are very aware of them.

The boat is gelcoat. I know of two newer boats, 2012 and 2013 that have the same issue. Another boat had Driscoll's grind off the gelcoat and filler from the entire boat! Somewhere around $600k. It's funny when you talk to Ocean Alexander USA they say they are just a dealer and are not affiliated with the builder.

That's typical. That's the way legally many set it up to avoid taking responsibility.

The OP you addressed initially is from 2011. Jim may be retired now. I’m not sure but who knows he may pop back up here. Anyway cracking and crazing on OA’s is nothing new and not really specific to a certain period. Maybe some years worse than others but it’s always been an issue. So is leaking windows and port holes. Most of my experience is on boats prior to 2010 model year.

I haven't spoken to him at at least 3 yrs. He closed up all Orange Coast Yachts offices and, to the best of my knowledge, moved up to the NW and is completely out of boating.

I am going to look at a 1999 Rayburn 62' in Anacortesnand came across your comments doing Diligence on the brand. This vessel has been boathouse kept and repainted, but also has 15 trips to Alaska behind her. It would seem that this is one of the initial contract boats you are referring too ( from Forbes Cooper?)? I appreciate your professional opinion, thank you.