Alerion debuts new Sport 33

by Scott Bryant on 10 Mar 2010 Pearson Composites, llc., whose Alerion Express range is widely credited with creating the popular category of 'gentlemen's daysailer,' now unveils a new, parallel line of elegant dayboats that will offer a notably higher level of performance and appeal for those who love to race whatever they find on the water, one-design or not. Designated Alerion Sport 33 to differentiate from the company's already successful Alerion Express 33, this new model scored three orders before the tooling was even finished.

The heart and soul of the new Alerion Sport are pure Alerion: classic appearance above the waterline, highly sophisticated and modern underbody, simplicity in rig to permit singlehanded sailing and getting underway in just a few minutes, and an ability to sail well and securely in the full range of wind and sea conditions. While the Sport model shares the same hull as the Express 33, the Sport has considerably less displacement, higher SA/Disp ratio, and carries an asymmetric code headsail for faster reaching and running. Tiller steering gives the skipper that sensitive feel that is both desired and delightful in a high-performance sailboat.

In keeping with Alerion's brief that an owner ought to be able to sail alone, all sail controls are led within reach of the skipper, with on-deck lines led in tunnels to jammers at the aft-end of the cabin where their tails can drop into cockpit-neatening boxes. The mainsheet is mounted on a barney post, so it can be played actively. Both headsail and mainsail are fitted with multi-part fine-tune lines to eliminate tiller-between-the-knees winching.

A number of cockpit options gives owners some attractive personalization. The Port sail locker can become an on-deck cooler; since its Starboard twin is so commodious, the extra stowage space might not be missed. The aft sections of the long seats are removable to create forward-facing seats at both aft corners. Even with those sections open, the seats are long enough to stretch out for a nap or to handle a large party of friends or family.

The standard mast is carbon composite with Nitronic rod rigging. The hardware package is geared to sailing fast, in company, and winning prizes. But there is also great comfort with angled cockpit seat backs, wide coamings to rest elbows or derrieres, and clear decks. The hulls are produced with infusion molded SCRIMP construction for strength and lasting quality without excess weight.

Accommodations below permit overnighting but the overall intention for Alerion Sport 33 is one-day action. There are berths for four adults, a head and simple stowage. A 20 HP diesel with Saildrive is standard - for getting to and from the starting line when winds are not reliable. A Hoyt jib boom with extender is optional along with the hardware attendant to flying an asymmetric headsail.

Alerion plans to launch additional Sport models in other sizes. The instantaneous acceptance of the 33 has only accelerated those plans.

The base price of (MSRP) $199,900 includes sails and all major equipment.

Alerion Sport 33's builder, Pearson Composites, also owns and builds True North expedition express powerboats, PDQ powercats, North Rip sportfishing boats and Pearson Yachts in addition to building J/Boats, 44-foot sail-trainers for the US Naval Academy and several other brands of sail, power and commercial vessels, all using the patented SCRIMP infusion process.

http://www.alerionexp.com