Peter Eastman acquires Alerion Yachts
by Peter Eastman 28 Jan 2020 09:04 EST
Today, Peter Eastman, owner of Eastman Boats and Howard Boats has purchased Alerion Yachts from Peter Johnstone. Eastman plans to extend the Alerion brand across new models and a broader size range, and further grow sales and production beyond Alerion's recent business turnaround.
Eastman explained "I have loved Alerion Yachts since their inception in 1986. It is the pre-eminent daysailer brand of sailboats world-wide. At the October US Sailboat Show in Annapolis, I could not take my eyes off of the most recent models. After expressing interest in the brand to my friend Peter Johnstone, we agreed to terms for my purchase of the brand. I am honored to become the custodian of America's foremost brand of daysailers; Alerion Yachts".
Johnstone stated "Peter Eastman has a 20+ year track record of producing the beautiful Howard Boats sailboat range on Cape Cod. I have known Peter since we were rivals in prep school sailing in the early 1980's. Later we were college sailing team-mates. We became lifelong friends. Peter expressed his interest in Alerion just as I accepted the CEO role at MJM Yachts. Alerion deserves the full-time attention of an industry pro, so I agreed to sell Alerion to Peter. Alerion will always be a favorite brand of mine. I've been privileged to play a role in Alerion's turn-around and subsequent growth in the past two years. Peter and Alerion will thrive together. I plan to buy a new boat from them in the coming year."
Eastman feels the quality of the latest Alerions are the best he has ever seen. "We will continue with the current builder Randy Borges. His quality is unmatched under 42'. The assembled build team has 15-20 years of experience with Alerion and represent the best of American boat building talent. I will be further investing in Alerion's future." Announcements of new models are expected shortly.
Alerion will be at the Newport and US Sailboat Shows in 2020. Test sails can be scheduled as the weather warms up. A few build slots are available for summer 2020 delivery.
For information, delivery times and pricing, contact Peter Eastman at 508-362-6858 / 508-360-6859 or visit www.alerionyachts.com