Ocean Alexander, the Taiwan-based yard building fibreglass motor yachts since the 1970s and now producing vessels from 58 to over 100 feet in its Explorer and Classic series, has established a loyal following among American charter guests who value consistent build quality, practical deck layouts, and a service network centred on the US East Coast and the Bahamas. In the Abacos, Ocean Alexander vessels are well represented: four charter yachts are available to guests who choose this destination, typically measuring 20 to 30 metres with three to five staterooms and a crew of four to six. The practical design philosophy of Ocean Alexander suits the Abacos well: wide side decks for moving forward when anchoring in current, large anchor gear sized for Bahamas Bank conditions, and hull forms optimised for the semi-protected waters of the Sea of Abaco rather than open-ocean blue-water passage. The crew on an Ocean Alexander charter is intimate and informal: the captain knows the Abacos anchorages intimately, the first mate handles watersports and the galley, and the chef produces fresh Caribbean meals from a provisioning stop at Marsh Harbour each morning. The advance provisioning allowance on an Ocean Alexander charter runs to around 30 percent of the weekly fee, covering fuel for the short inter-island passages across the Abacos bank, provisioning, marina fees and drinks. The season runs November through June, with peak demand in March and April.
