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Ocean Alexander 40 Double Cabin

Built 1980–1989

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About the Ocean Alexander 40 Double Cabin

Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.

Illustration of a Ocean Alexander 40 Double Cabin
Illustration, not a photo of this model. AI-generated illustration of a typical twin-engine flybridge trawler.
Built
1980–1989
Length
40.83 ft
Waterline
36 ft
Beam
13.33 ft
Draft
3.5 ft
Displacement
22,500 lb
Hull
fiberglass
Hull / keel
semi-displacement
Propulsion
inboard
Fuel
400 gal
Water
240 gal
Holding
50 gal
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
  • Fuel 400 gal
    “Fuel 400 gals.” — search excerpt, cdn.denisonyachtsales.com
    Only the PowerBoat Guide figure was found, and it comes from the same family of sources as the HMY powerboat guide behind our earlier figure.
  • Water 240 gal
    “Water 240 gals.” — search excerpt, cdn.denisonyachtsales.com
  • Holding 50 gal
    “Waste 50 gals.” — search excerpt, cdn.denisonyachtsales.com
  • Water heater unknown
    “11 gallon Water Heater” — broker listing (1979), alexandermarineusa.com
    Only a 1979 Ocean Alexander 40 listing gives a size (11 gal), and 1979 predates the Double Cabin's 1980 introduction, so it may be the earlier 40 model. A 1983 Double Cabin listing shows a new (replacement) heater without size.

Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.

Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
  • Bow thruster unknown
    “Thruster - Lewmar 8hp Bow Thruster (NEW 2018) & Key Power Stern Thruster 12Volt DC” — broker listing (1982), west-yachts.com · “BOW THRUSTER!” — broker listing (1980), lapazcruiserssupply.com
    Two separate listings (1980, 1982) have bow thrusters, one a Lewmar 8 hp fitted in 2018; neither shows whether the boat was built with one, and no builder document was found.
  • Stern thruster unknown
    “Key Power Stern Thruster 12Volt DC” — broker listing (1982), west-yachts.com
    One 1982 listing shows a Key Power stern thruster (single boat).
  • Steering unknown
    “Steering - Capilano Teleflex Hydraulic” — broker listing (1982), west-yachts.com · “Dual Helm Hydraulic Steering” — broker listing (1980), lapazcruiserssupply.com
    Two listings show hydraulic steering (one Capilano/Teleflex), but listings alone aren't enough to go on, and no builder, review or owners' source was found.

Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.

One of the better-quality imports of its time with better gelcoat than most; solid fiberglass hard-chine semi-displacement hull with long keel. Two staterooms, aft cabin with cockpit door, spacious engine room. Twin 120 hp Lehmans cruise 7-8 knots, about 500 nm range. Ocean Alexander was founded by Alexander Chu, formerly of C&L (Pacific Yachting).

Engines fitted

Generator

A 1983 listing shows a newer 5 kW Northern Lights (a replacement); no builder or review statement found.

Known problems for this model

Engines & parts

Ford Lehman 120 (6D380 / 2715E) parts: good

Factory standard engine — you entered “Ford Lehman 120”

Marinized by Lehman from the Ford of England 'Dorset' 2715E six-cylinder (380 cu in) industrial/truck diesel; Ford built the Dorset base engines 1964–1984. Base-engine internals interchange with the Ford 2715E, and marine-specific parts (raw water pumps, heat exchangers, injection elbows, gaskets, lift pumps, air filters) are widely stocked. American Diesel Corp (founded by former Lehman people) still sells parts, publishes spare-parts lists and gives technical advice. Rebuilt and used 120s are also sold by salvage yards.

Parts sources: American Diesel Corp, Go2marine (Ford Lehman parts collection), Fred Warner Marine & Outdoors

Common problems (2)
  • Chronic oil leaks engine
    Most 120s weep oil somewhere; owners often trace it to the rear of the engine near the heat exchanger (head/head gasket area) or to the drive seals of the gear-driven injection pump. Moderate oil use is treated as normal on these engines.
    trawlerforum.com · marineengine.com
  • Fuel leaks at injection pump, lift pump and return lines fuel
    Slow diesel drips usually come from loose bleed screws or banjo washers, perished rubber injector return hoses, a failing lift-pump diaphragm, or worn internal seals in the Simms or CAV injection pump, which needs a pump shop to overhaul.
    yescenters.com
Maker’s service schedule (16)
Engine oil & filter change200 hrs
“After first 15 hours running .... 1. Change Engine Oil ... Every 200 hours running ..... 17. Change engine and transmiss” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Fuel filters & water separator200 hrs
“Every 200 hours running ..... 18. Change all engine and fuel oil filters.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Change oil in fuel injection pump50 hrs
“Every 50 hours running ...... 13. Check cleanliness of intake air filter. 14. Check (exchanger) zinc pencil. 15. Change” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Transmission fluid change200 hrs or 1 yr
“Change oil every 200 hours of operation or at least once each season under normal conditions” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Valve clearance check / adjust400 hrs
“After first 15 hours running .... 3. Adjust valve clearances. ... Every 400 hours running ..... 22. Adjust valve clearan” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Injector test / service400 hrs
“Every 400 hours running ..... 21. Remove and service injectors.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Engine pencil zincs50 hrs
“After first 15 hours running .... 4. Check (exchanger) zinc pencil. ... Every 50 hours running ...... 14. Check (exchang” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Drive belts inspect / replace200 hrs
“After first 15 hours running .... 5. Adjust belt tension. ... Every 200 hours running ..... 16. Adjust belt tension.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Air filter / intake silencer50 hrs
“After first 15 hours running .... 8. Check cleanliness of intake air filter. ... Every 50 hours running ...... 13. Check” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Clean fuel lift pump200 hrs
“Every 200 hours running ..... 19. Clean fuel lift pump.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Clean injection pump cover filter200 hrs
“Every 200 hours running ..... 20. Clean injection pump cover filter.” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Remove raw water pump and check drive coupling400 hrs
“Every 400 hours running ..... 23. Remove raw water pump and check drive coupling. Place dab of grease on coupling halves” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Adjust idling speed (if required)400 hrs
“After first 15 hours running .... 10. Adjust idling speed (if required). ... Every 400 hours running ..... 24. Adjust id” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Check engine/propeller shaft alignment6 mo
“After first 15 hours running .... 9. Check engine/propeller shaft alignment. (twice annually, minimum).” — manufacturer (1986), marinedieselbasics.com
Replace Borg Warner transmission oil cooler1,200 hrs
“Suggested replacement is at 1200 hours.” — manufacturer, img1.wsimg.com
Inspect drive damper2,500 hrs
“Inspect your drive damper if you have more than 2500 hours on the engine.” — manufacturer, img1.wsimg.com
Service part numbers (3)
Raw-water impeller Jabsco 1210-0001
“6D380 5850-0001 040 3/4" NPT Flange SK33 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com · “Breakdown of 2C48 Pump ... 9 1 1210-0001 IMPELLER” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com
Raw-water pump kit
original 2C45 pump (Jabsco 5850-0001)
Jabsco SK33
“6D380 5850-0001 040 3/4" NPT Flange SK33 3298 1210-0001” — manufacturer, marineengine.com
Raw-water pump kit
Lehman 2C48 replacement pump (Jabsco 10950-2401 type)
Jabsco SK239
“Service Kit SK239 - Comprising Key 7/8/9/17” — manufacturer, marinesurveyorontario.com

From the engine maker’s parts lists, or two independent parts dealers. Numbers change with serial number and get superseded — check yours before ordering.

Model sources (5)

hmy.com · pacificyachting.com · alexandermarineusa.com · west-yachts.com · lapazcruiserssupply.com

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Other Ocean Alexander models

Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.