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Alerion
Designer: Nathanael Herreshoff  ·  Builder: Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1912
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About the Alerion

Designed by legendary naval architect Nathanael Herreshoff in 1912, this classic wooden sloop represents the pinnacle of early 20th-century yacht design from the renowned Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. At 26 feet overall with a traditional keel and centerboard configuration, the Alerion embodies the elegant proportions and seaworthy characteristics that made Herreshoff designs legendary among sailing enthusiasts. The fractional sloop rig and moderate sail area of 422 square feet provide excellent balance and manageable sail handling, making this boat well-suited for coastal cruising and club racing. With a substantial displacement of 6,050 pounds and ballast of 3,800 pounds, the design offers impressive stability and a comfortable motion in choppy conditions. The deep draft of 5.5 feet and narrow beam of 7.58 feet contribute to excellent windward performance and tracking ability. The low comfort ratio of 27.33 indicates a relatively quick motion more suited to day sailing and weekend cruising rather than extended offshore passages. However, the favorable capsize screening ratio of 1.67 demonstrates inherent stability. Modern Alerion reproductions have maintained Herreshoff's original design principles while incorporating contemporary construction techniques, making these boats highly sought after by sailors who appreciate classic yacht design combined with proven performance characteristics.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.75 ft / 6.63 m
Beam 7.58 ft / 2.31 m
Max Draft 5.50 ft / 1.68 m
Min Draft 2.42 ft / 0.74 m
Displacement 6,050.00 lb / 2,744 kg
Ballast 3,800.00 lb / 1,724 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 422.00 ft² / 39.21 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction Wood
Designer Nathanael Herreshoff
Builder Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (USA)
First Built 1912
Associations Herreshoff Marine Museum
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
231
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
20.4
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
62.81
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
262.5
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
27.33
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
1.67
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.25 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
2.35
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 589.08 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 20.38
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 32.30 ft / 9.85 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 8.70 ft / 2.65 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 30.90 ft / 9.42 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 18.20 ft / 5.55 m
SA Fore 140.51 ft² / 13.05 m²
SA Main 281.19 ft² / 26.12 m²
SA Total (100%) 421.70 ft² / 39.18 m²
Est. Forestay Length 33.45 ft / 10.20 m
How It Compares

vs. Commander 26 Pearson, Titania 26, Victoria 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Alerion ★
26.0 ft
Commander 26 Pearson
26.0 ft
Titania 26
26.0 ft
Victoria 26
26.0 ft
LWL
Alerion ★
21.8 ft
Commander 26 Pearson
18.5 ft
Titania 26
Victoria 26
21.3 ft
Beam
Alerion ★
7.6 ft
Commander 26 Pearson
8.0 ft
Titania 26
7.8 ft
Victoria 26
8.2 ft
Displacement
Alerion ★
6 lbs
Commander 26 Pearson
5 lbs
Titania 26
4 lbs
Victoria 26
6 lbs
Ballast
Alerion ★
3 lbs
Commander 26 Pearson
2 lbs
Titania 26
950 lbs
Victoria 26
3 lbs
Sail Area
Alerion ★
422 sq ft
Commander 26 Pearson
311 sq ft
Titania 26
Victoria 26
337 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Alerion ★
231 s/nm
Commander 26 Pearson
Titania 26
Victoria 26
237 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Alerion ★
20.4
Commander 26 Pearson
16.2
Titania 26
Victoria 26
15.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Alerion ★
62.8 %
Commander 26 Pearson
46.3 %
Titania 26
23.8 %
Victoria 26
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Alerion ★
27.3
Commander 26 Pearson
25.2
Titania 26
17.3
Victoria 26
28.2
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Alerion ★
1.67
Commander 26 Pearson
1.83
Titania 26
Victoria 26
1.73
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Alerion ★
262
Commander 26 Pearson
380
Titania 26
165
Victoria 26
Hull Speed
Alerion ★
6.3 kts
Commander 26 Pearson
5.8 kts
Titania 26
6.3 kts
Victoria 26
6.2 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Alerion ★
2.4
Commander 26 Pearson
1.2
Titania 26
Victoria 26
1.5
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