The first Alerion Express 28 One Design Fleet (Fleet One) includes 21 boats. One design fleet races and fleet social activities have been underway since 2004 (see 'Schedule').

(For Current Alerion Express 28 One Desing Fleet One Rules, click here)

This one design fleet is based on guidelines originally developed in cooperation with Newport R&D, Inc.

Principal among these guidelines are:

1. AE 28’s to be raced with the small (95%) jib only. Genoas and spinnakers are not allowed.

2. All crew are restricted to seating inside the cockpit while racing. Since the majority of AE 28s do not have lifelines, this is the only safe and sensible procedure. It also eliminates the “rail meat” race whereby competitive skippers seek to gain more righting moment by adding heavy crew to the rail.

(The SF Bay Fleet One modified this crew position guideline in January 2008 as follows: 'Unless actively engaged in working the yacht, all persons aboard the yacht must be seated completely in the cockpit, except that the person steering or one other person may sit outside the cockpit coaming but only if that person's lower legs (below the knee) are inside the cockpit.')

The guiding philosophy in these one design rules of the fleet will be to preserve the Alerion’s unique combination of special beauty and single handed ease, and to eliminate the need to line up skilled crew. Close, tactical racing and post-race camaraderie are the goals.

With over 450 Alerions built and sold and two fleets formed (San Francisco and Chesapeake Bay) there exists the potential for other fleets in Maine, Narragansett Bay, Buzzards Bay, and other locations.

We particularly hope that Alerion Express 28 owners in such areas are inspired by our San Francisco fleet and that such fleets are formed soon so that we might launch reciprocal racing events with them.

New Manufacturer's Website

For more information on Alerion Express 28s and some outstanding photos of these boats, see the manufacturer's (Pearson Composites) new website at:

http://www.alerionexp.com

New Alerion Express 28 Fleet Formed in Chesapeake Bay!

We are delighted to note the formation of a second Alerion Express Fleet in the Chesapeake Bay area!

Their new website may be viewed at:

http://www.chesapeakealerion.org

BULLETIN BOARD MEMBERSHIP

If you are an Alerion owner located elsewhere than the San Francisco Bay and would like to become a participant in our Fleet Members Bulletin Board, please contact us.

Ths site is for sharing info on technical issues regarding the boats, rigging, sails, engines, maintenance, purchasing, as well as racing issues and news, fleet events, and more.

Please contribute and make this resource a success for all Alerion owners and crew members.

Masthead Photo: Lazy Lightning and Scrimshaw crossing blades.

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