Ocean Alexander 35P Review (2024 Edition)

Ocean Alexander first announced the 35 Puro at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, designed with a distinctly European flair. This is down to a collaboration between Giorgio Cassetta and Andrea Agrusta of NavalHEAD, featuring furniture from Poltrona Frau.

The "Nautique" finish on hull No.1 has a mahogany furniture style that looks similar to teak, but there's also a more modern option with grey woods and darker tones for those who prefer a contemporary touch. The five-cabin layout, with the owner’s suite on the main deck, is typical for a yacht of this size. However, the good sightlines and broad passageways enhance the sense of space throughout.

Externally, the design is equally impressive. The way the staircases connect at the aft end is a hallmark of Cassetta's influence, with main access points between decks complemented by discreet crew passageways. For instance, the neatly integrated staircase on the starboard side ensures the crew can move around without disturbing guests. The linked bridge deck makes transitioning between the dining space aft and the hot tub on the foredeck simple.

One standout design element in the interior of the 35 Puro is the central atrium staircase. Unlike the typically narrow and dark staircases up to the pilothouse or bridge deck, this one feels incredibly open. The bar in the sky lounge above has been pushed right back, allowing natural light to flood through the windows, making it a wide and welcoming staircase for guests and crew.

Another clever touch can be found on the port side, where a day head features a lovely big window, ensuring plenty of natural light. The light switches are labelled, a small but handy detail, so you always know exactly what you’re turning on and off.

On the lower deck, there's a four-cabin guest arrangement and the area around the bottom of the staircase provides ample room for guests along with a drawer fridge, allowing guests can grab a bottle of water in the middle of the night without disturbing the crew.

Engine Room

Entry can be gained via the beach club or through a dedicated door on the port side deck. Once inside, you'll find a well-thought-out space. Unlike many engine rooms that use chequer plates, the 35P opts for solid, yet soft panelling underfoot. These panels lift, providing access to the mechanicals and plumbing underneath.

The twin generators are mounted forward, and the space between the engines is ample, so it's easy to inspect and move around. As you'd expect on a big yacht, there's a lot of pipework and wiring, which is all neatly labelled, informing you of the function of each valve and the direction of flow. The yacht utilises fin stabilisers, so there’s no gyro system here, but the fin stabilisation should do an excellent job of reducing roll when the yacht is stationary or on the move.

There's even an anteroom adjacent to the engine room, housing additional machinery and connecting directly back to the beach club. For a 35-metre yacht, the practicality and thoughtful design of this engine room are excellent.

Just inside the cockpit doors and into the main deck saloon, there's a handy counter with two fridges - a cold drink is always within reach onboard this boat. The saloon itself opens up gloriously, blending warmth and brightness thanks to the rich timbers and beautifully soft carpets.

The space is flooded with natural light, courtesy of the expansive windows on either side, making everything feel big and inviting. There's an enormous coffee table which is a real standout, serving as a focal point for the area.

A pop-up television is hidden behind one of the sofas, ready to appear at the touch of a button and there are lovely push-button doors, with the starboard door sliding open providing easy access around the boat or for a natural breeze. The saloon also has a fabulous dining space, centrally located and close to the galley. 

Galley

Often you’ll find the galley is just for crew on yachts this size, but I think they've made it an integral part of the living area, thanks to wide doorways and pocket doors. These doors can easily be closed for privacy, but when opened, they connect the galley with the main saloon. It's one of the highest-spec galleys I've seen on a yacht of this size.

There’s direct access to the side deck, and the cooling options are second to none, featuring an almost full-height wine fridge and two Subzero fridge freezers. Cooking amenities include a double oven, dishwasher, and a trash compactor. The unbroken view from the galley sink is amazing, with a massive hull window bringing in loads of natural light — it almost makes you want to do the washing up.

High-quality components are evident throughout, including two deep stainless-steel sinks and a hose tap for swishing out cups and plates. There's an induction cooktop with grips and a powerful overhead extraction hood. The galley also offers direct access to the crew space.

Sky Lounge

The Sky Lounge is probably the most intimate internal space on the boat, great for watching a film or enjoying a drink while taking in the elevated views. The furniture here mirrors the luxurious style in the main saloon, featuring low-slung, squishy sofas, and a beautiful coffee table. 

The bar area is integrated into the stairway and it's a spectacular design, pulling back to create a huge space that floods the lower deck with light. The lovely big bar top is perfectly designed for socialising, with glasses neatly lined up and ready for use under the counter. A couple of barstools add to the charm, making it a perfect spot for casual drinks. Plus, with a pair of very large fridges and a little sink for rinsing, it’s fully equipped and ready for use.

Owner's Cabin

This main deck cabin has plenty of storage, including a proper walk-in wardrobe complete with drawers and hanging space. It's vast and comfortable, featuring a plush carpet and a king-size bed in the centre.

The floating desk makes for a lovely office area — its glass design allows you to see right through it. Positioned next to a big window, it’s a fabulous spot to sit and bash out some emails if you need to. Opposite the bed, you'll find a television cleverly integrated into a mirror — when it's off, you'd have no idea it's there.

The cabin's ensuite has twin cubicles that flank a huge shower in the middle. The toilet and sink are mirrored on both sides, and the flooring is gorgeous and heated.

The shower features a mix of a big rain showerhead overhead and a smaller showerhead up high, with storage on either side. The fake stone material is nice and grippy, so it won't get slippery when wet. Clever design touches like smoked glass doors for the toilets ensure a bit of privacy, even in this open-plan space.

Guest Accommodation

In the lower deck, the two forward cabins can be configured as a double or split into twins. In the double arrangement, you still enjoy a nice passageway down one side, complete with a bedside table. The headroom is excellent, and there's a generous chunk of hull window with an opening port for natural ventilation. Storage is ample, including a clever integration of the TV within a mirror, so it’s out of sight when not in use.

Switching to the twin arrangement, the cabin remains spacious with a central walkway and all the benefits of natural light. This flexibility is ideal for charters, as the cabins can adapt to the needs of different guests. Both cabins also benefit from private bathrooms.

Amidships, the VIP staterooms are bathed in natural light thanks to large hull windows and opening ports. The detailing is lovely, with circular tables flanking the bed and equipped with charging switches and flexible reading lights. Storage is another strong point, featuring a full-height wardrobe by the entrance, backlit cupboards, and ample drawer space. The TVs are hidden behind mirrors, so it all looks uncluttered. Furthermore, each VIP stateroom comes with a well-appointed ensuite bathroom.

Crew Space

Ocean Alexander has certainly given thoughtful consideration to the crew on the 35 Puro. The crew mess area features a table that opens up and provides a communal space for when off-duty. Though the main galley is just a short distance away, there's also a mini-galley down here equipped with a fridge, microwave, and sink. There is access to the digital switching system, identical to what the skipper has at the helm. This means the crew has full control of the boat right from their quarters.

When it comes to sleeping arrangements, the captain’s cabin is rather impressive. It sports a good-sized double bed that could pass as a large single or a small double, a TV mounted on the wall, and storage space. There's a private bathroom, a separate shower, and a small bureau.

There are two more crew cabins, mirrored on both sides. These spaces are practical, offering decent-sized bunks with a good amount of width, both upper and lower. Natural light filters in, making the area feel a bit more open. The staircase up to the bathroom is a bit steep, but the ceiling height increases as you go up.  

Behind the bridge are large sliding doors that open to merge the bridge with the sky lounge areas, or close them to give privacy for the captain or guests.

The dash has enormous MFDs that give an array of information — navigation, engine stats, and camera feeds from across the yacht. The full digital switching system is skinned with the yacht’s graphic design, enabling everything to be controlled remotely, from lighting to pumps to breakers.

Driving controls are thoughtfully arranged, featuring twin throttles, bow and stern thrusters, and a well-positioned steering wheel. What’s particularly nice here are the three big captain’s chairs — comfortable and fully adjustable. The central chair, where the skipper usually sits, includes a remote control for the touchscreens.

There isn’t space for a dinette, which would allow crew members to join the skipper, but the two additional chairs on either side serve this purpose well. For people who appreciate more traditional navigation, there’s a nice chart table too.

When it comes to performance, the 35 Puro is fitted with twin 2,000hp MAN V12 diesels. Despite being hull No.1 and slightly heavier, she manages about 17 knots at full throttle. At cruising speeds — around 9 to 10 knots — she has an impressive 2,100nmile range, proving she can cover considerable distances.

The 35 Puro has a large platform at water level that can either be lowered down into the water or lifted for use as a diving board or for getting up onto the quay. With a 1,000kg capacity, it can comfortably carry a decent-sized tender too.

The transom door pops up to create an inviting access point to the beach club. The transom door overhead is nicely inlaid with teak rather than fibreglass. The area, though shallow, is well designed with steps leading down and plenty of room for furniture. There’s also handy storage and direct access to the engine room.

An extra galley area can also be found in the beach club, featuring a sink, prep space, and cooling underneath. It’s incredibly convenient for guests to grab a drink or make a snack without going inside the yacht. However, the lack of a day head is a bit of a downside, as guests will need to drip water through the interior to use the bathroom after a swim. 

Cockpit

The staircases alongside the cockpit align neatly, stretching right up to the sundeck, creating a good flow. They've made a feature of the mooring gear; a ribbon of highly polished stainless steel that’s beautiful to look at. Fairleads, bollards, and winches are all incorporated into the railings, transitioning into proper railings down below, with absolutely gorgeous welds — it's a very high-quality finish.

The woodwork here is equally impressive, with a high gloss timber table that sets the tone for the quality of the woodwork throughout. There's ample space for some freestanding chairs on one side, with the option to add a couple more at either end, complemented by a fixed bench aft along the transom.

There's also cooling space tucked neatly under the counter, with an icemaker. This matches the cockpit table and includes a bar space, so great for lining up drinks and snacks. On the opposite side, handy storage slots are ideal for covers, shoes, and other essentials.

Bridge Deck

The bridge deck serves as the primary outdoor socialising hub, with a fabulous alfresco dining area and a hot tub at one end. 

The outdoor kitchen has ample cooling space and a good grill so the crew can get a barbecue going. Though the sink is a bit on the small side, it doesn’t detract from the overall usability of the space. It's great to see the bar mirrored here, similar to the one in the cockpit below, providing consistency in design.

One of my favourite bits on this deck is the little round table with a couple of chairs. It’s a nice spot, perfect for enjoying your morning coffee or a sundowner while taking in the lovely deck space. It combines well with the sofas and table on the opposite side.

The side decks are on both sides with a side door that can swing open smoothly and is incredibly easy to operate. No fussing about with clunky mechanisms. This leads directly to the side deck, where you'll find wing stations on both sides — essential for smooth mooring.

One of the standout features of the 35 Puro — the foredeck has an enormous sunpad that extends even beyond what you’d expect for a yacht of this size. This sun pad is designed to slide out to cover the hot tub when it's not in use, allowing the area to transform into a generous seating arrangement. A table can then be placed in the big U-shaped configuration. This adaptability makes it one of the key living areas.

There's some incredibly smart design work on the starboard side deck as well. On the port side, the deck is clearly designed with guests in mind, while the starboard side has the crew passageway. This integrated crew passageway is very subtle so from the outside, and you’d barely notice it exists. Just aft of another helm door leading into the bridge, another discreet door pops open to a small staircase, allowing the crew to move quickly between decks.

Sundeck

The sundeck is expansive and a cleverly utilised space, especially for a 35-metre yacht. There is low slung, comfortable furniture that mirrors the relaxed, inviting feel of the lower decks, creating a sort of cocktail lounge atmosphere.

This brings us to discussing the enormous bar — it is absolutely huge and comes well-equipped with fridges, icemakers, and ample storage for glasses and drinks. A substantial bar top adds to the sense of luxury, and there's even a big sink up here, which is useful and nice to have. A television means you can put on a film or have some sport running in the background, making this a sociable hub. 

Forward, there's a sociable split dinette with twin coffee tables, giving great views over the bow. Here, you can observe friends splashing around in the hot tub while enjoying the highest vantage point on the boat. The view is lovely.