Tag: Alerion Express 28

Electric Propulsion: Why it makes sense.

Posted on by Peter Johnstone

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.

20th Anniversary for Alerion Express

Posted on by Peter Johnstone
 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 20th 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.28 Anniv. with logo

 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 20th 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.

 
 
 

Sailing Tips from an AE28 Veteran

Posted on by Peter Johnstone

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

Marblehead NOOD Regatta

Posted on by Peter Johnstone
The Fleet gathers for dinner after racing.
Alerion 28's battle for position

There was no shortage of laughs and good times had by the Alerion Fleet this year at the Marblehood NOOD regatta.  Despite the heavy fog on day one we were still able to fit in 2 races.  The Alerion fleet was definitely the most comfortable group out of the  other 100+ boats while we waited for the fog to burn off.  The first race was taken by George Spiecker with “Sara Lee” taking second (sailed by Aleiron’s Scott Bryant).  The second race, although a short course was more exciting.  Everyone managed to be within a half-boat length for the start with George being 5 seconds early on the pin.  This made for an exciting up wind leg with all boats dueling for a position.  The competition stayed tight all the way to the end with Mark King taking the gun.  After a long day on the water, We gathered for our annual dinner at the Boston Yacht club where secrets and tactics were shared over drinks, food and of course a healthy dose of laughter!

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