Ocean Alexander, the Taiwanese Builder Made for American Owners

A Taiwanese yard that built for American cruisers

Alex Chueh founded Ocean Alexander in 1977 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan's boatbuilding capital. From the start the yard worked closely with American designer Ed Monk Jr., son of the famous Pacific Northwest designer Ed Monk Sr., and its early trawlers and motor yachts became fixtures in Seattle, the San Juan Islands and British Columbia. Chueh's son John now runs the company, and by 2018 about 70 percent of the yachts it produced went to American customers.

Ocean Alexander also had an unusual chapter with Christensen Shipyards in Washington State, which began building its 120-foot megayacht in 2010. When Christensen ran into trouble, the unfinished hulls were shipped back to Taiwan for completion, a story that illustrates the yard's capacity for large builds.

The 88 Motoryacht and the modern series

The Ocean Alexander 88 Motoryacht we cover is a skylounge motoryacht from the Ed Monk Jr. era, first delivered in 2007, with four en suite guest staterooms, crew quarters, an enclosed bridge that works as a second saloon and 3,000 gallons of fuel for coastal and island cruising. It appeals to owners who want superyacht-style space at a lower price than Italian builders.

The current range is organized into three series: the Revolution models such as the 27R, 30R and 35R, the Legend models (28L, 32L, 37L) and the Puro series (30P, 35P, 40P). Model numbers refer to approximate length in meters. Ocean Alexander was rated the fourth-largest yacht builder in the world by feet produced in 2021.

Resale and survey points for older and newer boats

Ocean Alexander resale is solid, especially for newer models and for well-kept classic motor yachts in the Pacific Northwest. Older boats from the 1980s and 1990s are inexpensive to buy but need careful attention to teak, tanks and systems. US dealers and independent yards on both coasts are familiar with the brand.

Focus on these items during the survey.

• Teak decks and deck core on older boats
• Fuel tank condition and age, especially on older Taiwanese builds
• Window and door leaks into the saloon and pilothouse
• Engine hours and service on MAN, Caterpillar or other diesels
• Hydraulic systems for stabilizers, thrusters and passerelles
• Electrical systems and generator condition on larger models