Ocean Alexander 78 Motoryacht Review (2004 Edition) by Aquaholic

On Deck

At 24m (78ft), the Ocean Alexander 78 Pilothouse feels immediately larger than the numbers suggest. It is one of those boats where you step aboard and think, hang on, this feels like something bigger. There is a real baby superyacht vibe to it and that impression starts right in the cockpit.

The cockpit is wide, sheltered and right in the middle is direct access down into the crew area and engine spaces, with a second way in further forward. Steps lead up to the upper deck and there is also a powered door straight into the main saloon. 

Side decks run all the way around the boat and they are wide enough that you feel comfortable moving fore and aft at sea. The overhang adds shelter and the scale of the structure around you reinforces that superyacht feel. Forward, there is a proper Portuguese bridge wrapping around the front of the wheelhouse, allowing you to step outside and keep an eye on things when manoeuvring. Up at the bow there is dedicated sunbathing space, deck lockers, boat hooks and full anchor handling gear.

The upper deck is where the tri deck story really lands. You do not often see this on a boat of this size, but here it is, and it works. Aft is the boat deck with tender chocks already fitted and a crane in place. There is space for paddleboards, loose furniture, sun loungers or a table outside, plus a grill for cooking up top. A ladder drops straight back down to the cockpit which makes moving around the boat feel very natural. Above that, the mast carries radar, satellite domes, antennas and nav lights, with access kept purely for maintenance.

The main saloon has space for a full dining setup although the current owner removed the table to open the room up further. A freestanding table with chairs would sit naturally here. The finishes reflect the boat’s 2005 build date but the proportions still work very well and the room feels open and relaxed.

Forward sits a country kitchen layout which gives the boat much of its character. This is a genuinely social space with a dinette, bar area and galley all grouped together. Refrigeration is split across multiple units, cooking sits to one side and there is a dishwasher tucked in neatly. It feels friendly and informal and it is easy to picture this becoming the natural gathering point on board. There is also a side door straight out onto the deck which is useful when handling lines or bringing supplies aboard.

The bridge level doubles as a second saloon. There is a fridge, seating and space to relax under cover, often referred to as a sky lounge. A day head is also located on this level which means the boat effectively offers four heads in total, one of them dedicated to the upper deck.

Owner's Cabin

The owner cabin sits aft where the beam is widest and it is a big space by any standard. The cabin has clear floor space around the berth good headroom and a calm feel. The ensuite is generous with twin basins, a separate toilet and a large shower with a built in seat. Storage is extensive including a proper walk in wardrobe. There are drawers, shelving and portholes hidden behind sliding panels. 

Guest Accommodation

This is a four cabin layout which is unusual in this size bracket. Forward, the VIP cabin fills the bow with excellent headroom, good storage and a full ensuite with a notably large shower. Hanging lockers, drawers under the bed and AV equipment are all neatly integrated. The portholes are hidden behind sliding covers which gives the cabin a slightly Japanese feel.

Midships there are two further guest cabins. One is arranged with twin single beds set in a crossover layout rather than bunks which makes the room feel more grown up. Storage is strong with large lockers and drawers and this cabin uses the nearby day head.

Opposite is a double guest cabin which links to the twin via a connecting door. It has its own ensuite, hanging locker, AV gear and the same concealed portholes. The woodwork throughout the guest area shows its age slightly but it fits the boat and feels warm rather than tired. A dedicated laundry area with washer dryer sits just outside the cabins which is a practical touch.

Crew Accommodation

Crew accommodation sits right aft with access from the cockpit and internally from within the boat. There is a proper crew cabin with two single beds, enough space to feel comfortable and a small desk. There is a separate crew head with its own shower. A fridge and microwave are fitted which allows crew to operate independently when required.

Storage is extensive throughout this area and there is another washing machine down here. The switch panel is located in the crew space and is easy to access. The layout makes sense and the second access route means crew can move in and out without using the bathing platform, which is particularly useful at sea.

The engine room offers full standing headroom and good lighting which is always a sign of a serious build. Access is straightforward and systems are clearly laid out. Power comes from twin MTU 12V2000 engines producing 1500 horsepower each. Top speed is around 19 knots with a comfortable cruise of about 14 knots. Range sits in the region of 625 to 650 nautical miles depending on conditions and load.

Twin generators are installed which again reinforces the big boat feel. Air conditioning systems are neatly installed and overall the space presents well for a 2005 yacht. Rudder stocks and engineering systems are accessible right across the back of the boat which makes routine maintenance far easier than on many yachts of similar length.

Buying a 24 metre (78ft) yacht from 2005 at around $2 million is very much about value for volume. You are stepping into a size bracket that feels substantial, but the ownership experience changes at this point and it pays to go in with eyes open. A sensible planning figure for annual running costs sits around 10-15% of the yacht’s current market value. In real terms, that usually means somewhere in the region of $200,000 to $300,000 per year if the boat is kept properly. That covers routine maintenance, servicing, insurance, dockage, fuel and the steady background spend that comes with running something of this scale.

Refit spending should also be expected rather than feared. A used yacht from 2005 will periodically need cosmetic updates, soft furnishing refreshes, electronics upgrades or mechanical overhauls. These costs do not arrive every year, but when they do, they are rarely small. Owners who plan ahead and set aside funds find the experience far less painful than those who react as things fail.

Depreciation continues, even at this stage of the yacht’s life. The sharpest drop has already happened, but values still ease over time. Ownership here is about use and enjoyment rather than financial return. Boats like this reward owners who keep them well and use them often, rather than those who expect the numbers to make sense on paper.

Two rivals of the Ocean Alexander 78 Motoryacht are the Sanlorenzo SL78 and the Outer Reef Yachts 780 Adventure.

The Ocean Alexander 78 Pilothouse delivers a surprising amount of boat for 24 metres. The tri deck layout, four cabin accommodation and proper crew spaces give it a genuine superyacht feel on a sub 24 metre platform. Age shows in places but it works with the design rather than against it. For buyers who value volume, solid engineering and a traditional pilothouse layout, this is a lot of boat for the money.