Pearson Marine Group's Alerion Express 28 to mark 20th anniversary

by Scott Bryant on 2 Feb 2011 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.

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 effective.

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' Norlam 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.

Pearson Marine Group , owner of the Alerion Express brand, was formed by the separation of interests in TPI Composites, a company formed by Everett Pearson, one of the marine industry's most influential leaders.

Upon his retirement and the sale of his company, the boatbuilding components became Pearson Composites, now renamed Pearson Marine Group. Pearson thus carries forward a nearly half-century tradition of building premium-branded boats, which have included Etchells raceboats, thousands of J/Boats, a fleet of 44-foot offshore auxiliaries for the US Naval Academy, along with their own brands: Alerion Express, True North (expedition cruisers) and North Rip (sportfishing boats).

As a successor to TPI, Pearson Marine Group is not only a licensee but also one of the world's most experienced users of SCRIMP in manufacturing. This closed-system infusion process makes the most efficient use of materials and eliminates the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air during manufacturing and is just one aspect in a concerted program to protect our environment.

www.pearsonmarinegroup.com
www.alerionexp.com