In 1994, Garry Hoyt joined the project at the invitation of Everett Pearson of TPI. He refined the boat with his Hoyt jib boom and changed the keel to a fin-and-bulb arrangement.
Design and Construction
The Express 28 measures 28 feet 3 inches overall, with a 22-foot 10-inch waterline and a beam of 8 feet 2 inches. That beam puts it on the narrow side of medium and gives the hull a moderate, restrained shape. The low freeboard, at least by modern standards, reinforces the classic Herreshoff-inspired profile.
Schumacher’s design is a study in moderate proportions. Its displacement-to-length ratio is 168, while its length-to-beam ratio is 3.46. The boat displaces 4,400 pounds and carries 2,000 pounds of ballast, giving it a healthy ballast-to-displacement relationship.
Below the waterline, the fin-and-bulb keel that Hoyt introduced works with a semi-balanced spade rudder. This modern combination keeps the underwater lines clean and gives the rudder positive steering authority. Overall, the narrow beam and moderate hull form feel conservative rather than radical.
Rig and Handling
The fractional rig has swept spreaders and a self-tacking jib. Hoyt added his jib boom to simplify foredeck work. A Harken traveler leads the mainsheet forward to a barney post in the middle of the cockpit, keeping the helmsman clear of the sheet’s path.
The rig carries 352 square feet of sail and has a sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 20.97, making it modestly powered. Test sailors felt that the sail plan, combined with the ballast ratio, would produce a stiff, fast ride rather than a tender one. The narrow hull and moderate overhangs also suggest a boat that responds to careful trim rather than brute horsepower.
Accommodations
Below, the Express 28 is unapologetically Spartan but functional for daysailing and short coastal hops. The head is tucked beneath the V-berth, and the first step into the cabin lands on top of the icebox. It’s a compact arrangement that trades volume for simplicity.
There’s no pretense of cruising luxury. The accommodation plan suits the boat’s essential role as a daysailer with minimal provision for overnight stays. Low freeboard also limits interior volume and expected headroom.
Equipment, Refinements, and Used-Boat Considerations
A Yanmar diesel was optional from new. The specifications list an auxiliary Yanmar JGM 10 of 10 horsepower.
The Hoyt jib boom and fin-and-bulb keel were the most significant factory-era refinements, introduced after Hoyt became involved in 1994. Used-boat shoppers should note that the self-tacking jib and fractional rig with swept spreaders are standard defining features, not later additions.
Verdict
The Alerion Express 28 is a narrow, moderate-displacement daysailer with Herreshoff-inspired looks and a Schumacher hull refined by Hoyt. It rewards sailors who value simple rigging and a stiff, easily driven hull more than cabin comforts.
Pros
- Narrow beam and low freeboard create a classic, balanced profile
- Self-tacking jib with Hoyt boom simplifies short-handed sailing
- Healthy ballast-to-displacement ratio supports a stiff ride
Cons
- Spartan accommodations limit overnight capability
- Low freeboard reduces interior volume and expected headroom
