I currently have a 1987 J24 (bought it new) and am seriously looking at an Alerion Express 28 - saw this article and would like to find out more about the E27. Any leads would be appreciated ... joe/

::
:: "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!)