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Alerion Express 38
Designer: Carl Schumacher  ·  Builder: Tillotson Pearson Inc, (Usa)  ·  First built: 1997
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About the Alerion Express 38

Designed by Carl Schumacher and built by Tillotson Pearson, this elegant masthead yawl represents a compelling blend of performance and comfort for discerning sailors. With only eight hulls produced between 1997 and the end of production, the Alerion Express 38 stands as an exclusive entry in the performance cruising market. The boat's moderate displacement of 13,000 pounds paired with 810 square feet of sail area delivers respectable performance while maintaining cruising comfort. Schumacher's design features a modern fin keel with bulb and spade rudder configuration, providing excellent maneuverability and upwind performance. The substantial ballast ratio ensures good stability for coastal and offshore sailing adventures. Notable for its traditional yawl rig, the Express 38 offers versatility in sail handling and the aesthetic appeal of a classic configuration rarely seen in modern designs. The fiberglass construction by respected builder Tillotson Pearson ensures quality craftsmanship throughout. With a comfortable motion at sea and solid build quality, this boat appeals to sailors seeking both performance and long-distance capability. The combination of Schumacher's proven design expertise and the boat's balanced proportions make it well-suited for extended coastal cruising and light offshore work.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.25 ft / 11.66 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.08 ft / 9.17 m
Beam 10.75 ft / 3.28 m
Max Draft 5.92 ft / 1.80 m
Displacement 13,000.00 lb / 5,897 kg
Ballast 6,000.00 lb / 2,722 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 810.00 ft² / 75.25 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/bulb & spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Yawl
Construction FG
Designer Carl Schumacher
Builder Tillotson Pearson Inc, (USA)
First Built 1997
Number Built 8
Related Sailboats ["Tartan 3800" · "Imx 38" · "Catalina 380" · "Sydney 38" · "Frers 38"]
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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
 126
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
 23.52
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
 46.15
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
 213.24
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
 26.12
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
 1.83
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. 7.35 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
 2.76
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. 1,155.40 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. 18.95
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 43.40 ft / 13.23 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 14.00 ft / 4.27 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 44.40 ft / 13.53 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 15.70 ft / 4.79 m
SA Fore 303.80 ft² / 28.22 m²
SA Main 348.54 ft² / 32.38 m²
SA Total (100%) 652.34 ft² / 60.60 m²
Est. Forestay Length 45.60 ft / 13.90 m
Mast Height (DWL) 56.25 ft / 17.15 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Volvo
Engine Type Diesel; Saildrive
Horsepower 40
Fuel Capacity 26 gals / 98 L
Water Capacity 45 gals / 170 L
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 380, Imx 38, Sydney 38

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Alerion Express 38 ★
38.3 ft
Catalina 380
38.4 ft
Imx 38
—
Sydney 38
38.5 ft
LWL
Alerion Express 38 ★
30.1 ft
Catalina 380
32.4 ft
Imx 38
31.2 ft
Sydney 38
35.3 ft
Beam
Alerion Express 38 ★
10.8 ft
Catalina 380
12.3 ft
Imx 38
12.1 ft
Sydney 38
12.3 ft
Displacement
Alerion Express 38 ★
13 lbs
Catalina 380
19 lbs
Imx 38
11 lbs
Sydney 38
12 lbs
Ballast
Alerion Express 38 ★
6 lbs
Catalina 380
6 lbs
Imx 38
6 lbs
Sydney 38
4 lbs
Sail Area
Alerion Express 38 ★
810 sq ft
Catalina 380
723 sq ft
Imx 38
910 sq ft
Sydney 38
842 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Alerion Express 38 ★
126 s/nm
Catalina 380
120 s/nm
Imx 38
—
Sydney 38
29 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Alerion Express 38 ★
23.5
Catalina 380
16.3
Imx 38
28.2
Sydney 38
25.4
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Alerion Express 38 ★
46.2 %
Catalina 380
35.8 %
Imx 38
52.3 %
Sydney 38
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Alerion Express 38 ★
26.1
Catalina 380
30.2
Imx 38
—
Sydney 38
18.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Alerion Express 38 ★
1.83
Catalina 380
1.85
Imx 38
2.13
Sydney 38
2.14
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Alerion Express 38 ★
213
Catalina 380
248
Imx 38
173
Sydney 38
—
Hull Speed
Alerion Express 38 ★
7.4 kts
Catalina 380
7.6 kts
Imx 38
7.5 kts
Sydney 38
8.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Alerion Express 38 ★
2.8
Catalina 380
2.1
Imx 38
3.7
Sydney 38
5.0
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