The Alerion Express 20 is a tried and true Day Sailer that has been brought back by popular demand. All the Alerion essentials are present: Classic topside, modern underbody, gratifying speed, and single-handed ease. Note the fingertip control as the boat charges along on a beam reach in a brisk southwest breeze on Narragansett Bay. The special features are open cockpit, complete simplicity, and a friendly price designed to introduce sailors to the Alerion Express Fleet.

This design is particularly apt for the new style of "Civilized Club Racing", introduced by several fleets of AE 28's. This is a simplified system we have developed for keeping competition alive without the complication of having to line up crew. There are only four basic rules, in addition to the standard considerations of starboard tack and buoy room. So you can race with your wife or your granddaughter or by yourself.

1. Just two sails, main and self-tacking jib-no genoas, no spinnakers.

2. Just Dacron sails, no expensive exotics allowed.

3. All crew to remain in the cockpit during racing-except for emergencies. This avoids the rail meat race that rewards heavy crew and means the boat is best raced by one or two persons whose weight is not a factor.

4. No protests. Protests are an automatic source of dispute and delay that interferes with the post race camaraderie that should be the first priority. So bag the protests and preserve the pleasure.