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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Alerion Express 28

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puffin
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/21/2009 : 18:24:44

I currently own a 2001 250 wing keel and have found this forum incredibly helpful over the years. While the boat has been terrific, I'm looking for a more classic daysailor and I'm considering the Alerion. I sail in generally sheltered waters on Long Island and don't use the boat for overnights so cabin comfort is not really an issue.

I'm wondering if any of you have taken a hard look at this boat, have sailed one, or know someone who has. If so, your views on the pros and cons (other than the outrageous pricetag) would be appreciated. I know it's a very different animal from the 250 and I'll take a test sail before I buy, but I'd value your opinions.

Many thanks

Edited by - on

danandlu
Navigator

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USA
174 Posts

Response Posted - 09/21/2009 : 19:41:16

A friend of mine bought his new, I believe this is his 4th season with it. It is a wing keel model. His experience with the manufacturer was not good. I've sailed with him a couple of times in light conditions and once, in a good blow with chop, I sailed my boat alongside his. I was able to go a bit faster (both of us close hauled) but I don't know if he was "racing" like I thought I was. I can't speak for him but I think he'd be willing to tell you his experiences directly.

Dan

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5353 Posts

Response Posted - 09/21/2009 : 21:25:33

I looked at the Alerion 28 and 33 at the Newport show. Its a beauty of a boat, it looks great, very impressive, but will it help you get a date?

The cockpit is good size, but in the 28, it was way more cramped than the Cat25. I could not stand up even if I scrunched down, I could only sit down below.

For the money, I liked the Catalina 308. In LI Sound, I thought I'd feel a whole lot more secure in more types of weather in a 32 footer than in the Cat25 or A28.

The A33 would be fine if I had unlimited funds, but it had less cabin space than the C25.

As you mentioned, it's a beauty of a boat, but to me, impractical.

Now, we also took a look at the Friendship 40, somewhere north of $800K. Now, THAT'S a looker!.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5895 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2009 : 06:57:51

I haven't sailed one, but have some friends who sail one each autumn about 40 miles from its slip to it's winter storage marina, and then sail it back in the spring. They are cruisers, not racers, so their opinions might be affected by that perspective. They love the boat, and claim it is fast and has excellent sailing qualities.

I'm more of a racer, and, looking at it, it should sail very well. It has a nice, reasonably fast-looking underbody and keel, and the overhangs are long enough to be aesthetically pleasing, and yet allow it a respectable waterline length. The fractional rig should make it easy to sail shorthanded. Likewise, the boat is rigged for ease of sail handling.

Interior accomodations are sparse, but given the fact that you don't plan to use the boat for overnighting, that won't matter much, except perhaps when you need to use the head while underway, or when passengers or crew need to go below in foul weather.

The boat seems well-suited for your use, and it's definitely a head-turner whever it goes.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2009 : 07:09:25

Pretty boats... All cockpit, no cabin (for cruising, anyway). The Hoyt boom makes sailing almost like motoring, except for less noise and some limits on direction and speed.

No adding biminis and stuff--it'll ruin the effect. If easy, comfortable daysailing and turning heads is what you're after, and you like maintaining brightwork (it has to be just so on an Alerion!), and you can afford it, why not??

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 09/22/2009 07:12:52

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2009 : 08:16:41

As a daysailor myself, I absolutely love the Alerion Express 28. From the classic styling to the singular design as a daysailing vessel, this boat speaks to me not only in how it looks, but in its designed purpose as a daysailor as I'm neither a racer nor cruiser.

Having never seen nor sailed one, I don't know what she could take, but with it's relatively low freeboard I'm assuming she might be a rather wet ride in some of the conditions I sometimes encounter on Lake Erie and would probably be better suited for more protected sailing venues...I dunno, just a thought.

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2009 : 09:19:40

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dlucier
 Having never seen nor sailed one, I don't know what she could take, but with it's relatively low freeboard I'm assuming she might be a rather wet ride in some of the conditions I sometimes encounter on Lake Erie and would probably be better suited for more protected sailing venues...I dunno, just a thought.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">There is an active fleet of Alerion Express 28's in SF Bay, and they seem to hold races up and down the SF Bay, including "the slot" where the wind funnels through the Golden Gate. That would seem to indicate the boat's seaworthiness under those conditions.

And to address Don's point, here's an Alerion Express 28 skipper about to get a mouth full of spray, although that could just be a ferry wake making an exciting photo:

Edited by - on

piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2009 : 11:22:28

Pretty but way to pricey for what you get, IMHO.
Steve A

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2009 : 11:51:06

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 Pretty but way to pricey for what you get, IMHO.
Steve A
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Yeah, this IP35 is for sale at only $115k, and you get a boat and a rainbow, too.

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piseas
Former Treasurer

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USA
2017 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2009 : 14:40:03

John, not a bad deal if they thow in the inflatable!

Steve A
PS Hope we still on for next month?

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2009 : 19:42:11

Here you go! Only $99.5K -->> http://www.sailingtexas.com/salerion28100.html

Edited by - on

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2009 : 09:17:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by piseas
 John, not a bad deal if they thow in the inflatable!

Steve A
PS Hope we still on for next month?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Steve - Yes, I'll be in LA as planned in October.

Edited by - on

ruachwrights
Captain

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USA
258 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2009 : 13:20:11

What about a J24-more speed and better pedigree. Or what of a colgate 26 which has great performance, a bigger cockpit and cost much less.

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puffin
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2009 : 16:58:36

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts on this boat. As always, your perspectives were really helpful in thinking through this decision.

Today I finalized the deal on the Alerion - it will be built over the winter. While there are lots of tradeoffs, for me, this boat is a perfect blend of form and function and one I think will keep me excited about sailing for a long time.

Thanks again for the many years of terrific advice on this forum. I reserve the right to continue to eavesdrop!

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2009 : 18:50:11

It all comes down to each of our priorities, perspectives, and of course, wallets... I did something just a little like you when I pulled the trigger on building my Eastern, after a couple of years of deliberations. With the customizations I was able to specify, and the trips every few weeks to the factory, I got something that was as close to an ideal match to my situation a tastes as I could have ever afforded.

The Alerion 28 is a true gem! I can imagine that this will be the culmination of your life's dream for being on the water! Congratulations!

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5353 Posts

Response Posted - 09/30/2009 : 20:46:02

Way to go, it is a beautiful boat.
Good luck on its construction and sailing it in the coming year!

Edited by - on

Stu Jackson C34
Admiral

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844 Posts

Response Posted - 10/10/2009 : 22:36:28

puffin, join us over on the Admiralty forum next spring, all the best.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.