Alerion Yachts: What’s the latest?

It’s been a great start to the new year here at Alerion. We’ve made a few important changes, taken a bunch of boat orders and are looking forward to what the year holds for us.   By now you’ve probably noticed our updated website along with the small change  in our name as well as  the reorganization of our model series’.    The most noted change from the familiar “Alerion Express” name to the more encompassing, “Alerion Yachts” will allow us to grow in an exciting direction.  The new website focuses on the customer experience of choosing, building and owning an Alerion while displaying our three model series; “Alerion Express”, “Alerion Sport” and the all new “Alerion ” series of cruising boats.

As most of you know The Alerion Express series was the first to confirm in a modern design the allure of a true “gentleman’s daysailer.”  The AE28 celebrated its 20^th birthday last year and continues to be the most popular of all the models with nearly 450 hulls in existence.  The AE20, AE33, and AE38 round out the series with the widely sought-after design DNA that enables “Alerion Sailing”.

Alerions have quietly succeeded at several PHRF regattas in recent years.  This underlying thoroughbred characteristic explains the recent success of the Alerion Sport 33.  This first model of the Sport series, reveals Alerion customers’ desire to win on the race course.  With additional designs in process, the Sport Series allow for greater sail plan flexibility required for racing while maintaining all of the styling and singlehanded ease of the Express Series.  Lighter displacement, tiller steering, thoughtful rigging and enormous cockpit make all of this possible.

The Alerion 41 is the first model in the “Alerion” series of cruising boats.  With standing headroom, and two private cabins, the Alerion 41 combines all of the aesthetic and handling characteristics of the Express Series with the ability to cruise for several days at a time.  Customers have the ability to customize the A41 to their specification; a capability we’re accustomed to.

With several orders for multiple model types including the A41, we’re off to a great start in 2012.  Stay tuned to our events page as we host several small, private events along the east coast.

Electric Propulsion: Why it makes sense.

This year we are offering electric propulsion on the Alerion Express 28’s as a “no charge” option In lieu of the 14hp diesel engine.  This technology has come a long way in the past few years; not to mention the price has come down, too.

As most of you know, a typical day sail with a diesel motor consists of checking oil, opening sea cocks and starting  the old “iron”.  These trusty motors sputter and come to “life” with a gurgle and spray of raw water from the exhaust thruhull.  We shove off from the marina or mooring, hoist the sails and enjoy a fulfilling day of Alerion sailing.  The Alerion Experience is different with electric propulsion.  With this technology, a turn of the battery switch and a nudge of the throttle trigger instant, silent thrust.  The boat moves eerily along while onlookers pause and wonder how an Alerion can move so silently without sails.   The transition from power to sail is graceful and smooth.  With sails filled, the DC current changes direction;  the spinning propeller steadily regenerates current and slowly charges the batteries.
The benefits of electric propulsion are numerous: completely sealed systems, low maintenance, silent operation, increased maneuverability and simplicity.  The benefits easily outweigh the costs for most sailors’  lifestyles.  However, with great breakthroughs there are always other considerations.  Currently, the system designed for the Alerion Express 28 is optimized for boats that are stored in marinas.  Although there are solar and prop regenerating options, a good old shore power cable ensures a fully charged system every time you step aboard.   The basic system specified for the Alerion Express 28 has a range of approximately 5-7 NM depending on speed and weather conditons.  For most this is sufficient for a typical day sail.  There is room and capacity for more batteries/range on the Alerion Express 28 but there are obviously cost and weight compromises to consider.
One of our existing electric propulsion owners loves the system for many reasons.  The biggest reason is that he finds himself sailing more and not defaulting to auxiliary power as much.  During the testing phase our design team was startled by the simplicity and silent transition from power to sail and back to power.

Maybe sailors will use this technology on those glorious sunset evenings when there’s no wind  in the same spirit of a classic Elco launch. No wind, no noise,  just the sound of a pretty boat moving through the water.  Pure and Simple.

Alerion 38 Racers Share Their Secrets

Since its inception in 2005, the Alerion Express 38 has been quietly placing or winning multiple East Coast regattas. Dubbed as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” the AE38 has had its fair share of winnings in 2011 alone. With first or second standings in Charleston Race Week, The Back Asswords Regatta, PHRF New Englands, The Vineyard Cup, and most recently the Classic Boat regatta in Marblehead, there is no shortage of performance and of course capability from their owners. A few of these owners were kind enough to share their secrets on sailing fast on their 38′s.

Bernie Cignavitch (hull#1) had this to say about navigating a starting line:

“…I am always aggressive at the start. For example, if the start favors the committee boat, I will position the boat on that heading. If a leeward boat tries to take me up, I head up to luff- depower the boat. As soon as the other boat passes my bow I power up and head leeward of him and take him up into the committee boat. Now you are in a perfect position for the start, your powered up, no one else can take up and  you can protest the boat next to you because he’s not going to head up into the committee boat. The only reason you can do this is because you practiced the maneuver  and the Alerion 38 will slow down, turn on a dime and power back up quicker than most boats!”

Craig Speck (hull#2) had this to say about sail trim:

“Because of the very large roach mainsail and the relatively small jib, upwind trim of the sails is critical. The main requires more sheet tension than many would expect as the top third of the main will wash out easily without higher sheet tension. Our basic trim is the traveler above centerline with high tension on the sheet. We ease the traveler rather than the mainsheet as wind velocity changes to keep the boat at correct heel angles and speed.

The jib is so small that many think it is along for the ride and don’t trim it as frequently as they should. Upwind we set the jib boom just inside the attachment point of the pole sheet to the top of the cabin. We continually trim the jib with the outhaul rather than moving the pole. In tacks and during starting sequences we ease the outhaul to put more power in the jib to rebuild speed and trim in as speed builds.  The jib boom is adjusted generally only with significant course changes.

Final comment, the Alerion Express 38 is wickedly fast upwind when heeled and sails are trimmed correctly.”

Success at the Vineyard Cup!

This was a great year for Alerion at the Vineyard Cup!  We had six boats on the line, perfect conditions, great company and even better results.   “Osprey” a 2011 AE38 won the entire regatta on corrected time.  This was quite a feat considering the 95-boat-regatta was littered with numerous competitive boats; 10+ Morris’s, J boats’, Sabres and other reputable manufacturers.  With  4 AE38′s and 2  AE28′s in attendance, the starting line was quite a sight.   The competition was noticeable in the Alerion Fleet but the good company and friendly spirit of our Alerion owners prevailed!

Both Friday and Saturday of the event were near perfect conditions; 80 degrees and sunny, 12-16 knots of wind out of the southwest. On Sunday the wind built to 30 – 34 knots.  Everyone handled the conditions in style and despite gentle suggestions, nobody reefed!  The result was a 20 mile race that was over quickly!

After each day of racing everyone congregated at The Black Dog wharf in Vineyard Haven for cocktails and live music provided by the Vineyard Cup.   If you weren’t able to join us this year consider making plans to come next summer.   The Vineyard is a  truly a spectacular place to visit; especially by boat.  This event is a great excuse to visit and enjoy everything the island has to offer.

The Alerion 41!

So, we’ve been hard at work over the past several months with our owners working on the design of the latest Alerion model. The Alerion 41 is the result of listening carefully to what the Alerion family truly wants in their “dream” Alerion.   Standing headroom, two private cabins, and a convertible swim platform are just a few of the features that have grabbed the attention of the early buyers.  Of course single-handed sailing with great performance comes standard; so does interior and exterior varnish as well as the choice of Awlgrip hull color.  With the first three hulls spoken for we’re off and running and excited to talk about this new model.  We’ve even built a full size mock-up of the interior here at our factory!  To download a complete brochure on this brand new model  click here (this may take a few seconds) or contact us.

Custom Alerion Sport 33 heads to the water..

Take a tour of this remarkable boat built for a very discerning client.  Black topsides, tan boot, tan deck and teak decks = beautiful.  Enjoy the video…

20th Anniversary for Alerion Express

 Pearson Marine Group, whose Alerion Express 28 is widely credited with creating the popular category of “gentlemen’s daysailer” when introduced twenty years ago, is marking this epoch with a special edition. The Alerion Express 20^th Anniversary model will be distinctive with several special features, a few of which are unique, and reasonably priced but strictly limited in availability to just five boats.

 Each of the special edition Alerion Express 28′s will be fitted with electric propulsion, using the most advanced sailboat e-drive afloat. Developed in collaboration with Mastervolt BV, who incidentally is celebrating that Company’s 20^th Anniversary this year as well, this sealed electric pod-drive is soundless, environmentally pure, and extraordinarily e-ffective.  Its high-torque performance, regenerative capabilities and no-maintenance characteristics make this a perfect propulsion system for the Alerion Express 28.

The anniversary model will be distinctive and easily identifiable afloat with a custom tan deck color and choice of Awlgrip topsides .  North Sails’  full-batten mainsail will carry a special Alerion Sailing anniversary logo; Halls Spars has created its own special edition spar. Recessed into the teak cockpit sole, a bronze plaque commemorates the date and identifies that each is an Anniversary edition. Furthermore, a matching half model is included and a special edition varnished tiller that includes a leather grip and an inlaid Alerion logo.
 

The Alerion Express 28 was the first to confirm in a modern design the allure of a true “gentleman’s daysailer.”  This unleashed a raft of imitations and elaborations from competitors, none of which have proven to offer the enduring value of the original Alerion Express 28 whose popularity continues to expand.  The design has incorporated and demonstrated the value of new technologies that have been adopted by others; among these is the Hoyt Jib boom which makes performance and jib-handling more effective yet simpler. The addition of the optional electric propulsion is sure to attract even more admirers.  Be sure to contact us if you’re interested in this unique edition. 

Click here to see learn more about the electric AE33 we built last year.

 
 
 

Sport 33 Mini- Review in Cruising World Magazine

Sailing Tips from an AE28 Veteran

The most critical thing to remember when sailing an Alerion upwind is that you are trimming four foils. What you do with the sails affects the angle of attack of the keel by either increasing or decreasing leeway. Sail trim also affects the amount of helm on the rudder when sailing upwind. You always want to sail the boat upwind with minimal helm. Use your tiller extension, even if you are sitting in the cockpit. If you can’t easily steer the boat using two fingers on the extension, you have too much helm. The cramp in your fingers will be your first clue that you are not trimmed correctly. Here are a few basic tips:

1)     Probably the two most important strings on the boat are the backstay and the jib outhaul. The backstay allows you to control the power in the main. More backstay tension will yield a flatter and therefore less powerful main. If you have helm Pull in on the backstay! The jib outhaul allows you to control the twist of the jib and therefore the slot between the main and the jib.

2)     Never sail the boat upwind with the traveler centered. It should always be between 1/2 and 2/3 of the way down.  In lighter air it should be 2/3 down and the mainsheet relatively tighter in order to get the force vectors facing as far forward as possible.

3)     The aft end of the jib boom should never be inside the edge of the cabin top. If it is, you are guaranteed to sail slow. The slot needs to stay open to promote good air flow between the main and the jib. If you are carrying a big bubble in the main it could be because the main is too full, but more likely it is because you have the jib boom too far inboard and/or are carrying too much tension on the jib outhaul, thereby preventing the jib leach from twisting.

Ralf Morgan, Hull # 272

Sailing With Dolphins

Peter Primont, owner of Alerion 38 #17 lives his life driven by his passions.  When it was time to ignite his passion for sailing, this Long Island native new exactly where to turn.   Until 3 years ago, when Peter wasn’t managing his successful Music publishing business, he was spending his leisure time playing golf.  Since catching the sailing bug, he has yet to return to the golf course.  This past summer we had the pleasure of watching and supporting Peter and his wife, Sheila sail their Alerion Express 38, “Fancy Boy” in the Vineyard Cup.  His competence as a sailor was reflected in the race results.  He defeated a number of  fast sailboats to get sixth overall!  After the race, Peter and Sheila enjoyed a leisurely cruise back to their hometown in Manhasset, Long Island.  Peter emphasises that the single handed ease and large cockpit on the Alerion Express 38 compliments their lifestyle perfectly.  Having  the capability of sailing for an hour or cruising for a week on Long Island Sound is what enables him to pursue his passion for sailing.

 In addition to Peter’s delightful trip to the Vineyard last summer, his most memorable moment came rather unexpectedly.   Peter and Sheila were relaxing in their harbor in Larchmont, New York when they heard on the radio that a pod of dolphins had  surfaced nearby.  They quickly tossed off the mooring and sailed over to the location called out on the radio.  Upon arriving, they found themselves surrounded by more than 150 dolphins swimming and jumping out of the water as if they had always been there.  Those of you who are distantly familiar with the waters around New York City will agree that this is truly a rare sight!   Check out this short video.

 We wish Peter and Sheila more memorable experiences on the Alerion 38 and we’re looking forward to seeing them, as well as a few other 38 owners from New York at the 2011 Vineyard Cup.