"Time, design and technology have not stood still since the mid-80s"

Well, much of the movement in technology in other boats is only now catching up with the Schumacher-Alsberg innovations of the 1980s--ultralight construction with the best available cloth and resins vacuum-bagged.

As far as design is concerned, either a boat sails well or it doesn't. Many current one design classes were designed many years ago--Stars, Snipes, Thistles, E-22s. The boats are still popular because they sail well and because they have strong class organizations. The J24 has a strong class organization, but is dying because the boat doesn't sail well. There is no comparison between an E27 and a J24, either in terms of materials, construction quality or sailing qualities. (The J22 is much better than the J24.) Right now, in my opinion, there is only one choice in the one design, pocket racer-cruiser category--the E27. Other one design boats in the size-price range worth considering are the E22 or the Melges24, but they are not suitable for long-distance or ocean races.

I've heard good things from a couple of owners about the Alerion Express. It's a great looking boat which incorporates pretty much the same below-the-waterline features as the the E27. However, my impression is that the boat has attracted mostly fairly well off, older, day sailors rather than racers. The E27 is attractive to young, not-so-affluent racing sailors because of the availability of good used boats at a reasonable price. Time will tell whether it will also attract new boat buyers at $50k-plus. It should because of its superlative sailing qualities, either with a full crew with genoa and spinnaker or single or double-handed with main and jib. Last September I made a full circuit around San Francisco Bay in an afternoon with a main and #3 jib with 5 people relaxing with sandwiches and a few beers--the point being that it is a great one design racer and equally great day sailor or weekend cruiser.

Note: I'm from Detroit and I don't presume to be telling you what's best for you on San Francisco Bay. However, I've been a devoted E27 racer and day sailor since 1986. There is no finer boat in this size and price class. (I assume you have sailed on an E27, but if you haven't I urge you to do so for at least a couple of hours in a good breeze before you make up your mind. I guarantee you will love the boat. If you call Gary Clifford, I'm sure he would be happy to take you out for a sail on Light'n Up!)