The Ocean Alexander 43 Double Cabin earned a reputation early on as one of a handful of better-quality Asian imports of her era. Along with the earlier 50 Pilothouse, the 43 did much to establish the Ocean Alexander name in the U.S. marine industry. Unlike most Taiwan trawlers of the early 1980s, the 43 is relatively free of exterior teak—a big plus in the minds of most owners. Below deck, the all-teak interior is arranged with a centerline queen berth in the full-width aft stateroom and stall showers in both heads. The galley is down, and the salon dimensions are adequate if not especially spacious. Port and starboard salon doors provide easy deck access, and visibility from the lower helm is excellent. Additional features include simulated lapstrake hullsides, a roomy flybridge with the helm forward, and a long keel of sufficient depth to offer some protection to the running gear in case of grounding. A popular model during (and after) her production years, standard 120hp Lehman diesels cruise the Alexander 43 DC efficiently at 7–8 knots with a range of about 600 miles. Optional 255hp Lehmans cruise at 12 knots (15–16 top).