1999 Alerion Express 28 for sale in Oxford, Maryland
Oxford, Maryland, United States19998.5m
Asking PriceBroker
$53,996 USD
MakeAlerion Express
Model28
Year1999
Length8.5m2.4m beam
EngineYanmar
Draft1.2m
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Overview
About this vessel
The Alerion Express 28 is widely regarded as one of the most elegant modern sailboats ever built. It blends the graceful proportions of classic early 20th century yachts with modern underwater design and fiberglass construction, making it both beautiful and remarkably easy to sail.
Design
At first glance, the Alerion 28 looks almost timeless. A long, gently sloping bow and sweeping sheer line, combined with a low freeboard that keeps the boat sleek, give it classic appeal. The boat features rich teak trim and cockpit coamings, a simple, uncluttered deck, and a large open cockpit that comfortably seats four to six people. Although it resembles a classic wooden yacht, beneath the waterline it has a modern fin keel and balanced spade rudder, giving it much better speed and maneuverability than traditional designs.
Sailing Characteristics
The Alerion 28 was designed primarily as a daysailer—a boat that's enjoyable to sail for an afternoon without requiring a large crew. Owners often praise it for excellent balance on the helm, light responsive steering, and easy single-handed sailing. It handles predictably in moderate winds and is fast enough to be exciting without feeling demanding. Many boats are equipped with a Hoyt self-tacking jib boom, which automatically swings the jib through tacks, making sailing upwind exceptionally simple and eliminating much of the line handling found on conventional sloops.
Accommodations
Below decks, the cabin is intentionally modest, suitable for two adults on a weekend cruise. It can sleep up to three people with a V-berth forward and port settee in the salon. To starboard is the limited galley with sink forward, then a seat, followed by the navigation station or additional counter space for food prep. The ice chest serves as both cooler and the step into the salon from the cockpit. The emphasis is clearly on cockpit comfort and sailing rather than extended cruising.
Sails and Rigging
The boat features a brand new mainsail and jib by North Sails installed in August 2025 with a new mainsail cover. A second set of sails, approximately six to seven years old, is also included. The boat is rigged for a spinnaker, and a spinnaker of unknown quality is included, though no spinnaker pole is provided. The Awlgripped aluminum spar is stepped on the keel with double spreaders, paired with an Awlgripped aluminum boom. A rigid boom vang and Harken roller furling for the headsail provide modern convenience. The Hoyt boom for the headsail is also Awlgripped. The boat has been retrofitted with a downwind boom extender that was standard on later Alerion models. A traveler aft works with the Barney Post—a stainless steel pedestal rising from the cockpit sole—which carries the mainsheet block and cam cleat on top. The traveler is mounted aft on the deck behind the cockpit, with the mainsheet leading forward to the Barney Post. All lines lead aft to the cockpit. Rigging includes two Lewmar #7 cabin top winches, a set of three cam cleats port and starboard on the cabin top for halyards and Hoyt boom control, and two #30 Lewmar self-tailing primary winches mounted on each side of the cockpit.
Mechanical and Electrical
The boat is powered by a Yanmar 9HP fresh water-cooled inboard diesel engine with direct drive shaft and bronze two-blade folding propeller. Two batteries with parallel switch provide independent power for engine and house systems. Cabin lights have been recently replaced.
Hull and Deck
The hull is flag blue with a gold cove stripe, white boot stripe, and red bottom. The cabin and deck are white. The boat features an elliptical fin-keel and is equipped with cockpit storage lockers port and starboard, bulkhead bags for line storage, running lights, a chrome stern flag mount, dock cleats, dock lines, and fenders. Cockpit cushions complement the well-maintained teak cockpit coamings, teak eyebrow around the cabin, teak handrails, and teak toe rails. Below, navy cushions are installed, along with a privacy curtain between the V-berth and salon. A single marine head and stainless steel sink on the starboard side serve the cabin. The boat has a six-gallon fresh water tank, an electric bilge pump, and an opening overhead hatch in the V-berth area.
Condition and Upgrades
The main salon sole was replaced in 2026. A new North mainsail and roller furling jib were installed in August 2025. The hull was hauled, compounded, and waxed in August 2026. Her present owner has enjoyed her for over ten years, having searched up and down the East Coast before settling on the purchase of Coup de Foudre. The name, French in origin, literally translates to "Lightning Strike" but idiomatically means "Love at First Sight". She is a lovely vessel looking for her next owner to enjoy.
Specifications
The details
Vessel
MakeAlerion Express
Model28
Year1999
Dimensions
Length overall8.5m
Beam2.4m
Draft1.2m
Engine & Fuel
Engine makeYanmar
Features
On board
North Sails mainsail and jib
Hoyt self-tacking jib boom
Harken roller furling headsail
Awlgripped aluminum spar and boom
Rigid boom vang
Yanmar 9HP diesel inboard engine
Bronze folding propeller
Two Lewmar #7 cabin top winches
Two Lewmar #30 self-tailing primary winches
Cam cleats for halyards and boom control
Mainsheet Barney Post
Downwind boom extender
Elliptical fin-keel
Balanced spade rudder
Teak cockpit coamings
Teak handrails and toe rails
Cockpit storage lockers
Marine head
Stainless steel sink
Opening overhead hatch
Electric bilge pump
Running lights
Chrome stern flag mount
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