I wondered who was going to start off with a post on the Pearson Ariel. Knowing that there are at least half a dozen owners on this board, I thought from sure there would be a thread by now.....
Here are a couple thoughts, from the list I have put together in my thinking about the 'how small for how far?' thread.
Pearson Ariel
'Faith' is a 1964 Pearson Ariel. She has several strong points that I believe are important for a small boat cruiser. Her detractors are mainly along the lines of any small boat, chief among them (IMHO) is limited stowage space.
It seems to me as though many more contemporary designs were first laid out as a cabin, around which a boat was built. The high freeboard, and wide beam so present in the market today are absent from the Ariel.
I am thankful that Carl Alberg was so stubborn about his designs, and glad to own a boat built for the sea, as opposed to being built for the dock, or even the regatta circuit.
Strong points;
~ Very strong rig (overrigged by most standards)
~ Strong, well protected, keel hung rudder. (with tiller steering, which I also am in favor of).
~ Lead ballast, encapsulated in a full keel with cutaway forefoot. Stable, tracks well, and bulletproof.
~ Outboard in a well. All cost/weight/ease of maintenance of an outboard without the biggest problems of a transom hung outboard. Even when it gets ugly, my lower unit stays in the water. (looks nicer too).
~ Standing head room in main salon
~ Bridge deck. This means even if the cockpit drains are overtaxed, water will not enter the cabin as with other designs. The outboard well dumps water before it can get high enough.
~ Properly angled transom. Following sea tends to lift stern.
~ Overly thick hull, hand laid roving, no chop strand anywhere on the boat.
~ Rounded cabin top
~ Proper bilge (mine has had additional glass added to encapsulate the ballast, but I still have a relatively deep bilge.)
~ Easy on the eyes. ;D
[/list]
Draw backs;
* Ice box lid in cockpit. This is a 'neat' feature if you are daysailing, but a liability offshore. I removed and glassed over mine.
* large windows, but no opening ports in main cabin. In all the searching I have done since I have owned the boat, no one has ever reported these windows being a problem, but I intend to use stormboards to cover mine.... Just in case.
* Head is located in the center of the V-Berth. Effectively removes the V-berth utility as a sleeping area. V-berth becomes the 'garage' type stowage area.
* Limited tankage
* Limited stowage space. Small hanging locker, no nav table (as designed). I removed my ice box and gained a nav table where it was located.
* Outboard propulsion carries limited battery charging opportunities.
* Low freeboard makes for a wet ride. A dodger is a MUST for offshore work.
On edit;
I would be remiss if I did not include a link to the Pearson Ariel Owners Association. http://www.pearsonariel.org It covers the Ariel and it's sister ship the mighty Pearson Commander (longer cockpit, smaller cabin.) Great forums, just remember to use the search function before you post a question..... ;D
I LOVe that boat! A reaction I often have to Alberg designs.
I wonder if you've come across Vigor's book "Twenty Small Boats that will Take you anywhere"?
He's got several Alberg designed boats in the book the Triton 28, the Alberg 30, Bristol 27 Cape Dory 25D Great book.
Oded Kishony
personally I think these boats are simply fantastic,,,,,they do indeed have potential.....I had a dream about on once. it lasted 5 years...or was it really a vision....something about....6000 miles....seeing the ocean as never before.....man that way back------that first 5 days was no dream----more like a nitemare----"total seasickness in its truest form----headache- chills- fever -nausea- vomiting.......'with all the adversity I am facing in my life rite now if I have to downsize.........take one guess----
Yup, the Ariel is a real classic.
I've got a Cape Dory 25D, which is very similar to the Ariel (Carl Alberg was a notoriously stubborn Swede. According to Dan Spurr's classic Hearts of Glass no matter how many times a boatbuilder asked for more space and less keel they always got the same basic, seaworthy design.)
Unlike the Ariel, the CD25D has no V-berth in the forward compartment--just a head and sink. And, she's got a diesel engine (1-cylinder Yanmar 1GM). The icebox is inside the cabin--but it's so poorly insulated that it might as well not be there at all.
And, of course, there's a bridgedeck.
I don't think it's possible to go wrong with an Alberg-designed boat, and the Ariel is certainly a beauty. Of course, I'm prejudiced.
--Joe
I'm prejudiced too, now. The big selling point for me was the full keel with the cutaway...
plus, beautiful lines... I saw somewhere (forgot where) where someone photographed an Ariel with the cockpit coaming removed.... From beautiful to "what was the designer thinking?" all over that one little profile item.....
Adam
My Ariel and my tender at home in Key West:
(http://www.svjourney.org/pics/misc/PA190021.JPG)
(http://www.svjourney.org/pics/Home/P9240007.JPG)
Very nice... where's the boat's name though? Is it across the stern??
For monohulls, I'm a big fan of the Alberg designs, and particularly like the Alberg 30. But, alas, I am not a monohull sailor, having my lovely trimaran instead. :D
One question though...in the photos on the post i see you towing an inflatable dinghy, not the little hard dinghy in the last photo.
In another post, Adam related some 'troubles' with the inflatable...
How do you like that little cathedral-hulled dink, Adam? I bet it is stable, have wondered how they towed, if that hull shape produced alot of drag...
Signed,
Still Jealous
(of your beeyootiful shiny Ariel)
((but Katie will be one soon, too :) ))
haha, Yeah, I'm very pleased with the little West Marine dink... a little wet in the rough stuff (throws a lot of spray forward) but very stable...
BUT, according to the pumpout boat guy, Revival is the "prettiest boat on the island"... :D
It's like I'm dating a supermodel :D
Adam
Quote from: Adam on October 27, 2006, 01:20:38 PM
It's like I'm dating a supermodel :D
Now we know Adam is dreaming... LOL.
BTW, how big is that WM dink??
Whilst roaming the dock on a windless Fri, I stopped by to check on my old girl. Poor thing does not get out much these days. The owner is otherwise busy...
how sad. Anyway since I know the owner and have this sense of just checking on my child, I go by from time to time to make sure things are ok. Lines tied, nothing loose, fenders in place etc. Ah memories... good times
(http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f276/bayshaolin/Kuan-yin.gif)
It's sad to hear that your previous boat has become a dock queen. :(
It's not too sad....every marina needs "eye candy"
LOL.. true...as long as she is well loved and taken care of, being a "dock queen" isn't all that bad... I hope the owner will be sailing her again soon... Boats aren't meant to just sit at the dock...
Having moved aboard over 7 months ago and been cruising full time for 6 months I have to say that the Ariel is just about the perfect cruising boat (for us).
Quote from: s/v Faith on February 10, 2008, 12:12:21 AM
Having moved aboard over 7 months ago and been cruising full time for 6 months I have to say that the Ariel is just about the perfect cruising boat (for us).
Thanks for posting this Craig, it led me to this thread I did not know was here.
As new Ariel owner with Big plans for us, it is great to read how well yours has worked for you.
May plan at this point is to a little sailing on the SF Bay with her while she is slipped down there, then bring here up to my yard to set her up the way I want. And hopefully have her wet again by fall in the Pacific NW.
Tim
Tim, I didn't see you on the Bay this last week...Came home today, but had 3 good days of working on Sirena and 2 good days of sailing her. Be going back down in about 3 weeks. I'll be on the lookout for you.......
Jim,
Couldn't get down to her as much as I thought I would, and had to do a few things to her when I did. Will try and get her out Wed. Looks like she will be slipped in Sausalito into March so hopefully catch you.
Tim and Jim -
With Prelude now berthed in Berkeley, perhaps we can meet up some time before Tim pulls Che north. :)
Sounds good, Looks like the trailer isn't going to show up until the end of the month anyway (and I don't know if I will have to do any work on it).
I may try and get her out tomorrow, but I have waiting for the PO to remove the vane and rear solar panel. I'm going through the head sail inventory at home today.
I will be out of town next week, but let's try after that.
Tim
Bob, I won't be back down until tghe first part of March but I am on M 111 and there is a fella right on the other side of the dock who has a Triton by the name of Norman that is a real kick in the butt that you ought to meet. Let me know where you are and I'll look you up....Berkeley is a good, easy out easy in place to sail out of.....you'll like it...
Jim, I'm on J dock: J-304. This is the first time I've kept a boat at Berkeley, but I've sailed on friends' boats out of there, and you're right. It is easy in and easy out. I look forward to meeting you - and Norm, too!
Nice looking boat, clean, new sails, looks well loved
Buy it now for 2500 or bid lower!
Bring an outboard and an anchor, it looks ready to sail.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Boats_Sailboats__1963-Pearson-Ariel-258-Sailboat-MD_W0QQitemZ110311329147QQ (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Boats_Sailboats__1963-Pearson-Ariel-258-Sailboat-MD_W0QQitemZ110311329147QQ)
(http://www.boatangel.org/photos/HW08318-1963-Pearson-Ariel-25ft8in-Sailboat-photos-Chesapeake-City-MD/photos/best.jpg)
I noticed this the other day also...
This boat has been on Yachtworld for over a year (the entire year i have been looking at yw.. who knows how long before that).
The asking price on YW is 3500. (http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/boatFullDetails.jsp?boat_id=1936788&ybw=&units=Feet¤cy=USD&access=Public&listing_id=76547&url=)
It does look good for the price, but I wonder why nobody has gone for it yet?
Even if something really bad is wrong with it... like maybe the entire deck needs re-coring...is it really that bad of a price for that type of work???
Looks like they pulled the motor and donated her. Shame she is not down here. I would put my boat up for sale and do the buy it now deal.
I think the age has a lot of people afraid of her. She might just be one of the deals that comes along. Like the guy that got a Hunter 25 for $400 and sold her 2 weeks later for 2500. He didn't even clean her up. The new owner is doing that.
I suspect that here may be something not apparent about her. To be listed that long at $3500 is not a good sign, I would want a good look before taking something like that on. Pretty looking in the pic though! :)
I REALLY do wish I lived on the east coast with all the "good" boats for sale esprcially on e-bay. Marc
From what I understand with Boatangle the photos are to be resent. The last update on YW was Sept 08. One thing that would hurt the sale is the lack of information posted on YW. In fact no information. I see the bidding is going up with a couple of days to go.
From the pictures she has a lot of mold in the cabin.
I'm with you on that one Marc on living on the east coast and the good deals on good boats.
Here is the location of more pics. I'm not seeing anything scary about it, in fact it is looking pretty good, with a lot of the refit work already done.
http://www.boatangel.org/photos/HW08318-1963-Pearson-Ariel-25ft8in-Sailboat-photos-Chesapeake-City-MD/
I see the bidding is going up, what do you think would be a fair price for this boat? I am thinking 3 to 4K.
I recognize this one from PearsonAriel.org (http://pearsonariel.org) I just can't recall the hull number.
There is not necessarily anything wrong with it. The market is bad, and very
few buyers are looking for a full keel boat. The Ariel, and to a lesser extent the Commander
have always been a great buy, since many buyers looking for that size boat are not looking
for a full keel.
The wooden toe / rub rail is an addition, and it might be helpful for someone who wanted to
try to figure out the hull number (and history) of this boat.
The association keeps track of the hull numbers and owners and you could probably get an
idea of the history of it on their web site.
You won't find a much better cruising boat, but then I may be a bit prejudiced. ;)
Marc,
I'm with you on this. Iowa is a great state EXCEPT for access to good sailboats and good sailing. Oh, we have both but not the quantity nor the quality to choose from ::). Someday Marc, we'll have what we want. But for now we'll just have to live with our boats and our winters :'( (burrrrr).
Fair winds,
Pappy Jack
SailFar Ariels (in no order);
'Katie Marie', Capt K's (A-422) (http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=978)
Ebb's Ariel 'Little Gull' (A-338) (http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=249)
Zen's 'Kuan Yin'- A-268
Tim's "Mariah" Pearson Ariel #331
My own 'Faith', (A-226) (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?topic=72.0)
Brit's 'Ariel Spirit' (A-3) (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?topic=497.0)
Frank's Ariel, 'Revival' (A-50) (http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=1239)
Tony's Ariel (A-113) (http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=1746)
And of course Commander Pete's Flagship Commander (C-200) Grace (http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=359)
Barry's Commander #164 'Winky'
Apologies to the others I am not thinking of right now... FWIW I know I am forgetting someone... :P
Skylark, If you are thinking somewhere in the 3 to 4 k bracket I would just call them and pay the 2500 and for get the bidding.
I would love to have her with the full keel. Would make a lot better cruising boat than me Starwind 22.
Quote from their ebay listing.
We will sell this boat on ebay to the first person who calls in with an offer of $2,500. We will end the auction on ebay with such bidder as the winning bidder. All interested bidders please call us at 1-800-227-2643
IIRC, some of these are no longer owned by said sailors though. :)
Quote from: s/v Faith on November 13, 2008, 02:59:24 PM
SailFar Ariels (in no order);
'Katie Marie', Capt K's (A-422) (http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=978)
Ebb's Ariel 'Little Gull' (A-338) (http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=249)
Zen's 'Kuan Yin'- A-268
Tim's "Mariah" Pearson Ariel #331
My own 'Faith', (A-226) (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?topic=72.0)
Brit's 'Ariel Spirit' (A-3) (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?topic=497.0)
Frank's Ariel, 'Revival' (A-50) (http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=1239)
Tony's Ariel (A-113) (http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=1746)
And of course Commander Pete's Flagship Commander (C-200) Grace (http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=359)
Barry's Commander #164 'Winky'
Apologies to the others I am not thinking of right now... FWIW I know I am forgetting someone... :P
Quote from: Grime on November 13, 2008, 03:58:02 PM
Skylark, If you are thinking somewhere in the 3 to 4 k bracket I would just call them and pay the 2500 and for get the bidding.
Please, I already have a boat! What would S/V Skylark think if I were running around ogling other boats!
MUST ... RESIST ... BIDDING
Skylark-
If you bid, and s/v Skylark dumps you overboard next time you're out sailing, you'll know she's got your internet connection tapped. :)
I wish I had place to put her. She looks like a great project boat.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1963-Pearson-Aerial-26-Used-Sailboat-NY_W0QQitemZ120370472503QQcmdZViewItemQQptZSailboats?hash=item120370472503&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A64|66%3A1|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1308
They seem to be popular here so?
bid is under $400.
Somebody already did the hard work of removing the inboard.
Scrub it down inside and out
Clean up the rats nest of wiring
Get a decent outboard
Throw away the junk
Check the rigging
And you would have a nice, sailable boat to start with. I'd say its worth $1000.
The owner was a woodworker, and it really shows. This boat is a work of art - from the cabinetry, to the fitting of the dodger. And it sounds like most of the major systems are basically brand new. Can't go wrong with this boat for the price, even if you had to truck it across the country!
More details and photos:
http://boston.craigslist.org/sob/boa/1059372935.html
http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=1945
(Standard disclaimer applies. ;D )
Kurt,
What a beauty!
If I didn't already have an Alberg, I'd be on my way to Raynham right now! (It's on the way to my boat, anyway.)
Half what I paid for my Cape Dory 25D!
Let's hope somebody picks her up.
--Joe
Kurt- someone we both know is looking at that boat. I got a call the other night asking what I thought- I said BUY IT NOW!!!
Yep, that is a crazy low price for the boat, Joe. What's one of those new daysailers with similar lines and (you'd hope) similar construction sell for - about $90K?
So, for what,~7% of that (math sux), you'd have this Ariel...
That's what I'd call a 'no brainer'. ;D
CJ, tell whoever it is I said "Buy it" too. :)
They will be stopping by the boat next weekend, and if it i still there, and IF it really looks as good in person, it'll probably get bought. But there are a few things about the boat that "jar" - the woodworker may have been good, but he was NOT a boat carpenter. There's a real difference between a carpenter and a boat carpenter. There is also a small question about the deck recore and materials used therein.
But this interested person is EXTREMELY knowledgeable about boats.
So we shall see.
Kurt - You can call me and Ill tell you who it is but I don't want to post the name.
No fair I want to know ;)
It's on craigslist thought I'd pass it along
http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/boa/1068495325.html
Frank posted this on PearsonAriel.org (http://pearsonariel.org)
I am re-posting it here in case anyone has any leads for him.
QuoteNE Ariel wanted for restoration
Wanted...one inexpensive (read-FREE to CHEAP) outboard model Ariel in the extreme NE. Condition of standing/running rigging,sails,engine,interior not important as it will be extensively modified.The perspective new owner miss's the frustration of newly made parts not fitting and the itch of fiberglass dust on his skin. Once completed,boat to be used for cruise from Florida through the Bahamas ,across northern Cuba,then Mexico on down to the SanBlas islands.
After having just restored the Electra with intentions of keeping it in the Bahamas and simply flying in rather than worrying about weather for crossings...long term plans changed. It will be a great boat for tours to HopeTown and Little Harbour etc. Judy and I are KISS and a few weeks on the Electra will be fine. Since returning home this year,she has come to the conclusion she wants to retire and has set a 2yr plan to wind down her business ( ;D ;)YIPPIE :o ;) :o ::)HURRAY ;D) We have long talked of heading across northern Cuba and working our way down to the SanBlas islands with intentions of spending several months within that chain alone. The lil electra just ain't going to cut it for that.It will remain our Bahamas boat.The Ariel,which I loved, will become our 'cruising boat'.We've disscussed hauling and storing it at various destinations if we need to fly home etc.(3 no longer little kids) We looked at several boats on the web but my heart goes out to ole Pearsons in general and Ariels in particular. They are pretty,sail SO sweet,are great offshore,have fairly shallow draft and I know them inside out.So....thats how I got to this point...full circle.
http://newlondon.craigslist.org/boa/1115363439.html
" ... includes rigging, sails and any critters living inside ..."
;D ;D Seller gets a thumbs up from me just for that line alone!
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1963-Pearson-Ariel-94749396
This is killing me seeing all these sailboats for sale and me not having the funds. (Note to self: start working harder and saving money and not spend it on silly stuff) I thought my dream of getting a boat was all but over when the wife said she just couldn`t see herself being on a boat after telling me it sounded fun, but a divorce will solve that problem here in a few months( cruising didn`t cause the divorce, but I`m sure it didn`t help anything). Oh well no use crying over spilled milk. I would love to have a boat and be ready for The Scoot, but I don`t think that would be reasonable at this moment.
Keep the faith Keith...keep the faith. Set a goal and go for it is the best thing you can do. This recession sent me for a loop(financially :'() as far as "The Scoot" goes but I'm still working toward it. Who knows what will happen.
Fair winds,
Pappy Jack
Good news is that as of Dec 2009 I will be debt free! ;D So nothing will be holding me back from getting the ball rolling.
Just figured how to make a pretty Ariel even prettier. I'm using Willy's shot of his dark blue hulled Ariel at a dock as my screen saver. Well...my screen and his pic don't match.I looks longer,thinner and with nicer overhangs. Now THAT is one fine looking boat ;)
This fellow posted on the Ariel site a couple of years ago..........went away.........came back with this. http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?p=19719#post19719 WOW
Dear Lord,
I LOVE my little ship!
.... just saying... ;D
Quote from: s/v Faith on February 11, 2011, 09:14:37 PM
Dear Lord,
I LOVE my little ship!
.... just saying... ;D
Me too! (but I admit to recent affair with my little Cape Dory girlfriend)