09-18-2006
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Super Moderator
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Annapolis, Md
Posts: 5,478
Rep Power: 14
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I have only had a brief sail on an Alerion Express. It was a pretty breezy day. I thought these were really nice boats that sailed quite well. The one that I was on did not have a traveler, which was really a problem in gusty conditions where it was important to be able to drop the traveller to balance the helm and reduce heel.
I personnally would prefer the middle of the three (or four)buildiing configuration (newer keel, but without the Hoyt boom which I personaly would consider a deal buster since you can't mount a bow pulpit or lifelines or conveniently use a genoa on a model that had the Hoyt jib boom.)
As to the engine, I had a 10 hp diesel on my 4100lb Laser 28. It was adequate in flat water, but speed obviously dropped off if you tried to motor into a strong headwind and seaway. The Laser 28 had more windage but less weight so it should be pretty equivillent. I usually chose to sail in heavier winds so the smallish engine wasn't much of a problem.
I personally had a tough time wrapping my mind around the overall concept of the Alerion. She is really pretty, and the double spreader rig imported directly from J-27 gives the boat plenty of go. They have purposefully simplified the Alerion down to the basics, but usually that means a boat that is economical to buy and own (like the Compacs for example). Instead, these are very expensive boats with a whole lot of compromises. The interior goes past being minimal. (My 1949 Folkboat had better accommodations). The deck hardware for example prevents the kind of tweaking that makes daysailing fun. The have an 'overnighter' interiod and yet they make no provision for even basic anchor handling and storage (the one I was on did not even have bowchocks.) I can't imagine sailing one in really heavy going, the narrow foredeck, and lack of lifelines returned myt to my youth, when lifelines were optional, and crew members routinely went over the side. At least the lifeline-less boats of the pre-1960 era had a grab handle that ran down the middle of the foredeck.
As perhaps, simply as a point of reference, less expensive similar concept boats, you might look at boats like the J-27 (same mast and boom), Laser 28, Express 27, or Goman Express 30 M.
Jeff
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