Market Update: Alerion Express

The brokerage market has shown an encouraging level of activity over the last 8 weeks - typically one of the quietest periods of the year. This indicates an even more robust selling season between now and May, a period when more buyers enter the market. Nationally, sailboat sales in December were up 42% over the same month for 2008.

The Alerion Express market continues to be one of the bright spots here at McMichael. In addition to the 5 NEW Alerions sold by McMichael in November (see November's Market Update), we have closed deals on 4 brokerage AE-28's since December 1st.

With the Alerion factory booked through to July, the brokerage market should continue to heat up; if you're interested in a brokerage Alerion for this Spring, the time to act is now! Click here to see our listings.

All of the activity has kept me quite busy, working six days a week to keep up with the inbound inquiries, monitor the new boats I have in production, and continue to market my listings aggressively. It's not such a glamorous job in the winter: there's nothing like running around a frozen boatyard to find an aluminum ladder, climbing ten feet up to an icy deck and sitting in a cabin to talk about a boat's merits while you can see your breath!

But I've Been Busy!

OK, so maybe it's no coincidence that my blogging came to a screeching halt at about the same time that my boat went in the water, but that doesn't mean there's been nothing to report. While some of my fellow bloggers are resorting to lists, I will provide a brief summary of events in my world.

Brokerage sales continue to be strong, with plenty of inventory but few motivated & realistic sellers. Boats that are priced right continue to sell though, and I'm happy to have some great values among my listings.

New boat sales are still extremely sluggish but we're anticipating one significant deal to close next week. As with other downturns, innovation will turn this around. For example:

• Hull #7 of the MJM 40z in now in production, proving there is a market for a fast, efficient 40 footer that can easily entertain 12+ on a single level pilothouse - and dock with a crew of one














• The J/95 is bringing J performance to thin-water sailors everywhere; hull #5 is available so call for a test sail today















• We have delivered 5 highly customized new Alerion Express this spring, and our dealer territory has just been expanded to include New Jersey to Maine
















• The IRC Owners Group here in Western Long Island Sound - an idea that originated at McMichael - is creating closer racing between more boats, and laying the foundation for new boats like the Summit 35

Most importantly, it's summer, the sun is out and the wind is blowing. I think I'll wrap this up and go sailing!

Factory Visits

I spent most of Thursday in Rhode Island, at Pearson Composites (Alerion Express), CCFC (new J/95 builder for J/Boats), and US Watercraft/Waterline Systems (J/22, J/24, J/105). It is always very rewarding to go to the factory and get some hands-on time with boats that are in production. It is the best way to get first-hand product knowledge, and very enlightening for clients as well.

Most of the time was spent at CCFC where Rod, Al and Jeff Johnstone discussed the new J/95, a keel/centerboard boat will draw only 3' with the board up (5'5" board down). It is another big innovation from J/Boats at a time when innovation is the only thing selling boats, and I think it will be a winner. Now sailors in thin-water venues like Barnegat Bay can enjoy J/Boat performance.

Most of the J/Boat dealers from the eastern US were in attendance, which means I was in a roomful of yacht brokers. As usual, I was about 20 years younger than the average broker.


J/95 cockpit and deck, just out of the mold




J/95 bow - notice the new engineering that will conceal the retractable sprit when not in use




Joe DaPonte from CCFC, new builder for the J/95 (he's holding a rudder)



Centerboard trunk for the J/95



CCFC - a very clean custom-built facility



Jeff Johnstone and the J/95 hull mold



An Alerion Express 33 with furniture being installed.



Alerion Express 28, ready for engine installation

The first person to correctly identify this mold wins a pony!