Announcing that I`m now officially in the buying market after many years of just saving and dreaming
I say this so if anyone spots a sailfar type boat out there to please drop me a message if possible. After countless hours of looking at boats on the internet I have fallen into the Alberg sickness ;D
I`m trying to limit my searcg area to NC, SC, FL, VA
Short List:
Cape Dory 22, 25
Alberg 22
Compac 23
Pearson Ariel
Albin Vega 27
Bristol 24
etc....
This CD22 has caught my attention and I have inquired for more info from the owner. Sounds good but don`t they all look good in the ads!
http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/24381 (http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/24381)
Update..the boat sold already...guess it was a good deal!
I would also like to formally thank Capt. Smollett who took the time a few months ago to inspect an Ariel that was for sale in his area and save me a 500 mile road trip.
Have you looked at the Cape Dory site, www.capedory.org (http://www.capedory.org)? There's a section off the main menu called "buy/sell Cape Dory boats and gear."
The smaller Cape Dory boats on your list don't have standing headroom, but they're nicely built boats. If you're looking for something a bit bigger, the CD25D has what is called 5' 11" standing headroom and an inboard diesel. It's similar to the Ariel.
Good luck!
--Joe
I`m not sure how I feel about standing headroom just yet. Kinda mixed feelings on the matter and definitely not a deal breaker at this point in the search. My Cal 29 had standing headroom, so I really say if I would miss it or not. Boats from 22-26 ft don`allow much walking around so how important it is will remain to be seen. It will start to greatly limit the boats on the smaller end of my shortlist if it does become a top priority. It also help that I`m 5`8 feel sorry for you 6 ft plus guys on these sailfar type boats.
There might be an additional dimension to 'standing head room' than walking around below.
"Standing" means stuff like being able to stand up to get dressed. Yes, you can do this hunched over, but it is MUCH less comfortable.
My little trailer boat does not have standing headroom. At 18 ft LOA, there's certainly no where to walk to below, but just getting in/out of the v-berth is a bit of a trick as are the quarter berths (that pass for 'settees' on an 18 footer).
If there are two adults on board and both are below, getting 'past' one another can be tricky, too.
YMMV. I know I did not really care one way or another about 'standing head room' til I had a boat that had it. Be hard for me to go back now... ;)
Amen to that. For me that place to stand makes all the difference.
On the previous boat we could do 12--14 day cruises and then the lack of a place to stand became a big deal. Tehani only has about a four foot long area where I can stand(5'8"). But that area has made full time cruising comfortable for me for over two years now. I can stand to cook, do dishes, mix a drink, etc
Personally I 'd never even LOOK at a boat I couldn't stand up in in at least ONE spot, even if that was only under the companionway slide. I know many do it and have dTone it, but not this guy.
The only extended time I have spent on a boat without standing headroom is a 5 day trip helping a friend from Fl Keys to Ft Myers. It was not a discmfort on that trip, but I was 12 yrs younger and it was just for that trip and we could stand under the companionway. Considering I will be a liveaboard headroom might move up the priorty list.
I have sent out for info on a Triton, Compac 23, and Cape dory 25 for sale in FL. So a trip to florida could be in order in the next few weeks. Also a Albin Vega in VA.
Quote from: Chattcatdaddy on October 28, 2011, 07:28:10 AM
I have sent out for info on a Triton, Compac 23, and Cape dory 25 for sale in FL. So a trip to florida could be in order in the next few weeks. Also a Albin Vega in VA.
I owned a lovely 18-foot catboat, with sitting headroom, before I bought my CD 25D. As my wife and I got older, that kneeling part became harder and harder to take.
BTW, the Cape Dory 25, though a super boat, doesn't have standing headroom. The others on your list, except possibly the Compac, do. They're all boats worth looking at.
Best of luck,
--Joe
I own ComPac 23 and it does not have standing head room. However, building a small, hard dodger provides a little standing head room.
Hey chattcat, your short list has a big range. The difference between a cd CD22 and the Albin Vega isn?t just 5 feet. The 27 footer is twice as big. Maybe you are a cruiser at heart.
When I started looking at boats I almost bought a Bayfield 25. I liked almost every thing about it. Liked it?s shoal draft full keel and attached rudder, it?s standing head room (I?m 5? 8?also ), had a nice interior layout, and a diesel engine. It also isn?t hard to find one on a trailer. But when I bought my first and only boat I went with the CD 27. I?m also enamored by Alburg designs. Never have I been sorry that I got a little bit bigger boat. It?s stronger, safer and more comfortable at sea, yet small enough to easily single hand and haul outs are still not too pain full. Good luck with your search.
Hey y'all,
I just wanted to throw my 2 cents worth in here seeing as I have lived on a number of different boats.
There is no way that I would consider a boat that did not have standing headroom if I was planning on staying aboard overnights. After a long day of sailing, I need a comfy cabin to go down below to. For me, no standing headroom would be a deal-breaker.
JD is correct on how a boat doubles in size unproportionately with the length. I went from a 20' Ensenada trailer sailer to a 27' Albin Vega, to a 34' Olympian, and every 7 feet definitely doubled the size of living space down below.
The Albin that I had was a great boat. The headroom was listed as 5'10", and I'm 5'9 3/4", so it was just enough.
My other advice is this,and I know that it's not easy; take your time and try to get the best boat you can. There are lots of boats for sail right now& some amazing deals. I would also suggest looking in the Norfolk,VA area. There are gobs of sailboats in the area, and it is not a far sail to the New Bern area if that is where you want to keep the boat. I bought my current boat (an Allied Seawind) up there last June for a song.
Good luck. Keith
Quote from: Kemm on November 05, 2011, 08:36:24 AM
I own ComPac 23 and it does not have standing head room. However, building a small, hard dodger provides a little standing head room.
A lot of the smaller boats with a stepped coachroof only have a few feet of standing headroom.
If you build a fully enclosed(able) hard dodger or doghouse with standing headroom. Is this enough or does it still feel cramped?
Tehani hasstanding headroom in the main cabin only. An area about four feet long. I've found thatto be plenty over the last few years.
Sent you a PM Chatdaddy.Congratulations on whatever you buy!A great boat is one that becomes worth more to you than it costs!
The search continues...seen a CD25 in NC that was more of a project than I would want to tackle. Also got a feeler out on a Bristol 27 in FL that looks good in the ad. If I hear back from the seller soon about nore specific details I may take a drive down to see the boat after Xmas. Most likely try to arrange a few more boats to view and walk the docks to see what else I can find.
Quote from: Chattcatdaddy on December 19, 2011, 03:23:42 PM
The search continues...seen a CD25 in NC
The Bristol 27 is a good boat, with an easy-to-service outboard.
But you might look for a Cape Dory 25D, it's got standing headroom (at least for guys like me) and an inboard diesel.
Best of luck and Merry Christmas!
--Joe
Quote from: Chattcatdaddy on October 27, 2011, 04:26:15 PM
Announcing that I`m now officially in the buying market after many years of just saving and dreaming
I say this so if anyone spots a sailfar type boat out there to please drop me a message if possible. After countless hours of looking at boats on the internet I have fallen into the Alberg sickness ;D
I`m trying to limit my searcg area to NC, SC, FL, VA
Short List:
Cape Dory 22, 25
Alberg 22
Compac 23
Pearson Ariel
Albin Vega 27
Bristol 24
etc....
This CD22 has caught my attention and I have inquired for more info from the owner. Sounds good but don`t they all look good in the ads!
http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/24381 (http://www.sailboatlistings.com/view/24381)
Update..the boat sold already...guess it was a good deal!
I would also like to formally thank Capt. Smollett who took the time a few months ago to inspect an Ariel that was for sale in his area and save me a 500 mile road trip.
Guess I did that wrong!! I have a VERY nice VERY well equipped Nonsuch 22' you should look at. 239 849 4681
Not all B27's came with an outboard, some came from the factory with an inboard diesel! I owned one, never did sail it, but I can say it was very well built. (It came with a triad trailer I bought.) Very nice boat.
Saw this Cape Dory 28 listed. No motor, but an outboard would probably work on her.
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/2735851825.html
Good luck in your search.
Well the search continues... The Bristol 27 I had my eye on has sold along with a Bristol 26 in Charleston, SC.
So now I have a lead on a Pearson Ariel that looks to be a heck of a deal. Whats the problem you ask...well location location location !!! The Ariel is in Maryland near Annapolis. Not such a big deal in warmer weather but kinda sux when I`m shopping in the winter and makes it hard to inspect a boat that far away. I could maybe set a deal up pending inspection and see how the seller would like to procede. I have sent an email suggesting this and will see what he says.
So anyone know a good surveyor or someone with a good knowledge of sailboats in that area that I could hire to maybe look the boat over?
If an inspection comes out as good as the seller claims then I could buy sight unseen (kinda scary) and keep the boat in storage in that area until around mid march and then sail it away to some warmer weather. Would be a nice shakedown and maybe set me up to give THE SCOOT a try. I know we have some chesapeake bay sailors here on the forum and wonder if the weather is tolerable for a march sail thru the bay?
Side Note: The seller is basically saying this boat is in bristol condition and is firm on the asking price. If true it is steal at the asking price!
Here is the description from an email:
2004 restoration by a professional boat yard owner in Baltimore. He has restored 4 Ariels. "All" exterior wood replaced with new teak, coated with Cetol Light. Topsides & decks (no soft decks) painted with Interlux Brightside, Interior: Interlux brightside with flattening agent for non-glossy finish, bottom (no blisters) has 2 coats ablative Interlux Micron Extra over Petit Trinadad. I bought Dec. 2010 price is firm. Strongback professionally reinforced above & below deck, no sag. Good rig & good engine & good sails (main, 150, 125, working jib, drifter; none need repair). Rudder covered in fiberglas and in excellent condition. Whisker pole. Head is a porta pottie. Boat is ready for spring launch after a washdown and one more coat of Micron Extra. I'm selling for a bigger boat to accomodate my kids & 5 grandkids. Few more photos attached. How would you transport to TN?
Update! After speaking with seller and being told that the Ariel is in excellent structural condition along with good condition sails and excellent interior. I have re-arranged my work schedule to make time to drive to MD for an inspection tomorrow. If its as advertised I will make a deal on the spot.
Also the restoration of this boat was done by Youngs Boatyard near Baltimore for the owners personal boat. Anyone heard of this boatyards work?
Sue Canfield is a surveyor in the Annapolis area. She did a quick survey for me once, advising that I NOT bother driving down from Massachusetts.
Ariels are terrific boats, as several on this board can attest.
Best of luck.
--Joe
Quote from: Chattcatdaddy on January 05, 2012, 02:05:13 PM
Also the restoration of this boat was done by Youngs Boatyard near Baltimore for the owners personal boat. Anyone heard of this boatyards work?
No personal experience, but they seem well thought of and have a decent reputation among the Alberg 30 Owner's Group.
Well after a 1500 mile round trip drive....I`m a new boat owner!!!!! ;D
Pearson Ariel 264?
Boat is in excellent sail away condition just needs a few cruising amenities.
Deck is rock solid. Rigging in good condition. Sails are good to excellent (main, working jib, 100, 135, nylon drifter)condition and hank-on. Mercury 5hp outboard is good condition. Interior is spotless with good cushions. All electrical is in good working condition. Teak is beautiful.
Only negative is that the boat is in Maryland. Not so much a bad thing as just not ideal. The marina starts splashing boats in April. So it will stay there until that time. I figure a few slight mods fro cruising and I will start to bring her down thru the Chesapeake in the spring. Should be an excellent shakedown sail.
How does one post pictures? I just cant seem to get them from my pc to the site, granted I`m not that computer savvy.
When I figure the picture issue out I will post some pics that the seller sent to me.
Pics
Restoration
(http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/8186/seahorserestoration4.jpg)
By chattcatdaddy (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/chattcatdaddy) at 2012-01-08
Interior
(http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/6062/seahorseinterior3.jpg)
By chattcatdaddy (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/chattcatdaddy) at 2012-01-08
Interior
(http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/1050/seahorseinterior2.jpg)
By chattcatdaddy (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/chattcatdaddy) at 2012-01-08
Interior
(http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6946/seahorseinterior1.jpg)
By chattcatdaddy (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/chattcatdaddy) at 2012-01-08
Slip
(http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/8882/arielseahorset.jpg)
By chattcatdaddy (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/chattcatdaddy) at 2012-01-08
Under sail
(http://img859.imageshack.us/img859/8172/ariel13.jpg)
By chattcatdaddy (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/chattcatdaddy) at 2012-01-08
At dock
(http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/6646/ariel12.jpg)
By chattcatdaddy (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/chattcatdaddy) at 2012-01-08
very very nice!
Congrats. That is my kind of boat.
Absolutely beautiful Keith, congratulations!
Congrats, too. She does look beautiful.
I like the effect of painting so much of the interior white, while leaving varnished trim. It does seem like it brightens it up and may make it feel larger.
-Jim
Quote from: Jim_ME on January 09, 2012, 02:45:37 AM
I like the effect of painting so much of the interior white, while leaving varnished trim. It does seem like it brightens it up and may make it feel larger.
-Jim
That's the Herreshoff style. I wouldn't even consider any other way to do an interior. All varnish turns it into a cave on dark cloudy days.
Thanks for all the compliments.
After setting up 2 other boat inspection trips and having the boats sold before I could get too them turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The ad for this Ariel "caught my eye"and I figured why not go and take a look. At first I was not going to bother looking for a boat that far north, but I figured if it was as good as it claimed then not getting as far south this season would be worth the sacrifice for many good seasons on a boat I really like.
Around 1992 I spent a year in Delaware and didn`t care much for the area. As the years have passed and my taste for the city life has faded and changed to the more simple pleasures. I have started to look at the Chesapeake with new eyes. During the drive around the Kent Island area where the boat is currently located I started to see its natural beauty. I`m really looking foward to sailing the bay this spring and bringing the boat down.
Hi Keith,
Congrats on the boat. :) Seems she was worth the wait. As Craig has said in regard to helping me, and though my role was different in your case, I feel privileged to have been part of your process in some small way.
Please be sure to stop by here on your way South....what, next year or the year after after you've explored the Chesapeake for a while? ;D ;D
--John
Congratulations! She's a beauty. You'll be a happy sailor soon!
--Joe
Gorgeous! I think the owner of #264 was Mike who as I recall was very active in boats...? Will have to check @pearsonariel.org, but at any rate she looks *fine*. :) Congrats, Keith!
Congratulations, Keith! A blessing in disguise for sure. There are so many great boats out there. Then there are fewer great small boats. And even less great small crafts in such good shape. She looks to be well kept and in teriffic shape. I am envious of you, sir. Great new boat, a few short months from splashing and a plan in mind...We can't tell from the photos, do you have one of the inboard models there?
Kurt, are you thinking of the urban legend, Mike Goodwin? People come and go but they are never forgotten.
I was kinda thinking of that Mike, but he is #45. Still looking...
So far, found this on Google:
Restoration of '65 Pearson Ariel #264, "Seahorse" (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.207534552627563.44316.190796814301337&type=3).
Funny, just how hard it is to find things using 'Search' on the Ariel site... ::) ;D
Quote from: CapnK on January 09, 2012, 08:07:26 PM
I was kinda thinking of that Mike, but he is #45. Still looking...
So far, found this on Google:
Restoration of '65 Pearson Ariel #264, "Seahorse" (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.207534552627563.44316.190796814301337&type=3).
Funny, just how hard it is to find things using 'Search' on the Ariel site... ::) ;D
Thats the boat. It was restored by the owner of Youngs boatyard as the owners personal boat.
Well, I looked with a bunch of terms, including the boats old name Moonraker and newer Seahorse, even tried using Googles "site:pearsonariel.org" option, turned nothing up... BUT - Iceman (at pearsonariel.org and the same username here) had Commander #264, so maybe that is what was making me think I remembered the hull number. :)
Regardless, you're gonna be happy with her. :) And I guess that your name will be what searches on the ariel site for "#264" will turn up... ;D
On Edit: Looking closer at your pics - she's an outboard model but has the prop aperture of the inboard model. I can't remember if that's how they were OEM or not... anyway, that's just a comment on a 'noticing'. :) She also has an extra genoa track (or two) there by the cockpit. Uses the original cabin trunk red/green nav lights. All of the cabin fittings appear original and *new*. Strongback fix already in place, and nicely done. Looks like an excellent restoration.
One last thought: see if you can find out whether or not the insulation for the icebox was replaced during restoration. When I dismantled my icebox, I found that the insulation in mine had deteriorated to the point of 'useless' in the 40-odd years since installed. If they went so far as to do that, I will be amazed. :)
I`ll see if the seller has any knowledge regarding the ice box. I know its still the original configuration that opens to the cockpit and interior. If he doesn`t know I`ll email Youngs boatyard.
Whats the going rate on a good condition Ariel? I paid $6000 and feel like I stole it.
You did steal it for the condition it is in :D
Oh man you absolutely could NOT have done better!
So glad when the right boat and the right person meet!
As has been recommended already, you will want to spend time on PearsonAriel.org (http://pearsonariel.org)... great site!
Oh man, she is so beautiful she hurts my eyes! Looking forward to more pictures soon!
Nope - haven't been there much posting from an iPhone while aboard cuts you down. Spent a week at Graham's earler as I was bringing Tehani around, just after Irene and I've seen your posts.
Let me think on that for a few days.
I asked Phil Young if the insulation was replaced during restoration and he emailed me stating it was not replaced.
Oh well guess she is not that good of a boat after all. ;D
Congrats on finally owning a boat!!!
beauty too :D
Chatcatdaddy,
Yes, this is a great story. Congratulations! As someone beginning a very similar search it gives me great hope! Well, --and makes me a little envious too. I hope I can follow in your wake.
Porter
Another milestone has passed. My official two week notice at work has been turned in to my supervisor. The form has a section for "why you are terminating employment" I just wrote "Going sailing" ;D Official last day is March 6. Then a whirlwing week or two close my local business and what not. Then its up to Maryland to start fitting out the boat for the trip around the Chesapeake and maybe a SCOOT. So much to do and so little time. A little scary but a very exciting couple of weeks are about to start.
Congratulations, Chattcatdaddy! I hope we run across each other during your meanderings on the Chesapeake. I'd love to see your new baby.
Congratulations! (There's nothing more to be said.)