Story by DinaRella / Photos courtesy of Forest Johnson
To diverge is to branch out, separate or divide… for example consider venturing to Vietnam over that yearly Caribbean cruise, adding a Glock to your Sig stock, ripping out the man-cave carpet for hard-wood flooring. Just do it! For Ocean Alexander, the prestigious builder of 70 to 155 feet deep-sea darlings, it represents the international shipyard’s all-new, outboard-powered super center console, duly named -- the Divergence 45.
Powered by a quartet of Mercury Marine Verado 350s, the premiere outboard was let loose to the public this past February, when christened at the 2019 Miami Yacht Show. The mega center console is the first of its kind crafted by superyacht designer Evan Marshall and can be rigged as you wish loaded with conveniences and creature comforts for basking in the sun or baiting a bass hook.
If you want your Divergence 45 angler-able, you will reap the rewards of a transom livewell, sink, rod holders, utilitarian functional flooring and the option to make the rear chair all but disappear when its rod-n-roll time; or perhaps you prefer to save that back space for tank racks and tucking away fenders for your Saturday and Sunday sandbar soirees?
Relishing in an array of fish-time or fun-time amenities are not the only advantages, due to the sophisticated stature and scale of the wide cockpit, home-sized furnishings on the deck, and the expansive and elegant lower quarters -- an increasing number of admirers have dubbed the super center console as a day yacht.
No matter the moniker, one of the most praised qualities of the Divergence 45 garnering rave reviews worldwide is the patented door-within-a-door fold-out bulwark invented by Richard Allender. Close your eyes and visualize… the sun setting, sipping your happy-hour potion du jour, and a medley of Elton John's greatest hits live flowing from the speakers. And PRESTO, an endless oceanic vista awaits as you open your eyes.
With the fold-out doors in the open position, the standard 13'9" beam increases immensely to 19'1" thanks to the extended balconies. For divers and those desiring to take a dip, a side ladder deploys off the edge, and additional port and starboard gates ease entry and exit off the transom.
Just steps away from the al-fresco aquatic infinity experience, Ocean Alexander has really put the super center console on a pedestal, providing even more visionary magic. With the push of a button a 40-inch television screen slides up on the center of the back galley counter behind the bolsters, hereby converting the area to a theater. Need a seat? The center aft bench can be configured to face forward towards the flat screen or be reversed to gaze out over the rear rooster tails.
Elsewhere on the stern, carbon fiber is all around no matter what way you turn: from the poles installed to hook up the automated SureShade that functions as a welcome retreat from the rays, to the top covering of the outdoor deck kitchen equipped with an induction stove, cook-top, pull out storage, refrigerator and freezer. Large elongated lockable storage facilities underneath serve as a second location to stow rods, tanks and any valuables if need be.
Noteworthy characteristics in the air conditioned cockpit include aluminum powder coated rails the same as with the new Ocean Alexander 90r, prime visibility from a one piece windshield with wiper blade, a trio of Garmin displays inclusive of backup control buttons for key features (just in case), an Edson ComfortGrip wheel and auto-inspired bolster seats.
Another potentially surprising cockpit feature is the port side door down to the lower cabin, and for new luxury center console owners this is an all together different approach from the universal side entry configurations. Exquisite woodwork instantly catches one's eye when descending down the steps to the fully equipped galley with a fridge, sink and microwave. A full size head with a separate enclosed stall shower are on the starboard, and further back is a convertible U-shaped lounge that doubles as a queen berth when the table is lowered and the filler cushions are added in the middle.
Design cues infused into the Divergence 45 from the bigger boat portfolio are traceable throughout from the interior to the exterior, and are especially noticeable around the wide side walkarounds complete with jumbo handrails and super-sized cleats patterned after the Ocean Alexander 112' megayacht. A nifty compact shower also has been built into the rear gunwale for any wet and salty souls needing a fresh water rinse when stepping back on board.
Continuing forward, carbon fiber elements grace the frontal support poles for the second sunshade, and can also be chosen as an option for the motorized central table, in place of a natural wooden finish. The forward facing lounger is also unique in the sense that it is positioned so deeply into the center console that Divergence 45 voyagers feel as if they are riding in the bow and not on the bow. The cavernous, sturdy and spacious sunning area can accommodate three people.
The Divergence 45 wears a base price tag of $920,000 dollars and while you won't win the Cowes-Torquay endurance race, the quads allow you to cruise in the mid 30s and hit the high 40s when the need for maximum speed sets in. A whooping 400 variable options are presented to the buyer during the design process, so any which way you want to stray -- from flashy Miami-esque to rustic Montauk elegance and refinement – the degree of divergence is yours to decide. LuxuryCenterConsoles.com has included examples of two varying models in this feature to give our readers an idea of the different layouts.
In examining the consumer demand, numbers show the smaller vessels account for a bigger market share and Ocean Alexander has wasted no time diving head on into this constantly expanding industry The 45-footer has been an overnight success story causing quite a commotion among current Ocean Alexander owners seeking to expand their naval stables. Luckily for current owners and those new to the Ocean Alexander family, purchasing the super center console has become a whole lot easier.
Since the company was founded in 1977, Ocean Alexander has fabricated its fleet of yachts at the original Taiwanese shipyard, yet in 2016 it transitioned production of the Ocean Alexander 70e (e is for evolution) motoryacht and the new Divergence 45 Stateside to its new Merritt Island, Florida, facility. This has significantly reduced costs with respect to the smaller crafts, and is great news for the North American market.
Ocean Alexander took a risk veering from its traditional set of standards, deviating from its legendary line of motor and mega yachts, and in the end, successfully raised the bar with its new luxury watercraft. The time has come for you to do the same -- leave your comfort zone, expand your portfolio and experience what it feels like to diverge into your first Divergence 45!
