Contemplating a Purchase

[cjackson]

I recently saw an Ariel for sale up for auction in my area, I don't have long to act so here's my question... She appears to be in the midst of an overall...which from this site I can tell is not uncommon. There is a significant amount of interior glass work needing to be completed and the mast will need to be restepped, cushions made and some paint here and there, however she seems complete, for a 1966 hull, and structurally sound. Does anyone have a price range idea for me...I don't want to over pay, I've done a little searching and for her age and condition $2,000 to $4,000 seems like the ballpark...is that close?

Thanks,
Chris

[Bill]

Your profile does not include a location, so it's a bit difficult to speculate on values. Being winter, however, I would think that the lower end of your range would be fair.

Can you give us a link to the ad for this boat where we might see photos? Our professional membership might come up with a better estimate :rolleyes:

[cjackson]

turns out the item was already posted by Richard, just before I made my posting. Hopefully I didn't give away the farm by asking about the price with the seller watching...doh...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4601789858&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

There's the link again...wish me luck...I may be the new owner of hull #387 next week.

Thanks,
Chris

[ebb]

Good luck, then, Chris!
It LOOKS like Richard did a lot of good work on and in the boat that anybody might do for an upgrade. Looks like he might have had offshore cruising as his goal. If he did do good work, you got yerself a real good deal!

It is a great boat, sturdy, safe, and pretty - and you have great support here. With the Manual, the best support in the whole wide world!

I remember when Richard signed in here because YOUR Ariel's number is right befor 'mine': 338. Have a good ole time with her! :cool:

[commanderpete]

A handsome vessel. Well equipped.

The work so far is of a high standard.

Most of the nasty work has already been completed.

Of course, the last 10-20% of a project takes the longest.

If you can devote the hours, she'll be a real prize

[gbaehr]

I don't know the owner of the boat, but I did notice it on eBay. I suspect that the list of work to be done will scare off a lot of bidders, as will the "as is, where is," terms of sale, so there's a good chance you can get it for a very good price.

At the same time, the remaining work doesn't seem to be very expensive in terms of money and the equipment is valuable -- two motors and an inflatable.

So I'd be sure to enter a bid that at the top end of what you'd be willing to pay. With a little luck you'll get if for less than your maximum, but I think you'd regret not getting it more than you'd regret paying a few hundred more than you were hoping to get it for.

Good luck!

Guy
Ariel #199

[cjackson]

I spoke with the current owner on the phone and this hull originally had an inboard outfitted. This was removed and he glassed over the motor cavity to create additional storage room. From a cruising point of view I'm wondering if it would be worth uncovering the motor compartment and reinstalling a diesel powerplant, I'm not sure how I would deal with power consumption issues cruising at sea without an inboard. I suppose another option would be to keep to the o/b motor and carry along along a small portable generator to charge the battery bank...any thoughts on this?

[c_amos]

You will find lots of discussion on the relative merits of the inboard/outboard.

You may have to change your default view for threads to see them, but there are pages and pages of this discussion. The 'search' function can be a good way to get started.

Expect to add 5 to 7k to the price to install a new diesel inboard. The fuel use will be (of course) lower, but the outboard has many things to recommend it.

I have a 6hp 2 stroke. It is enough to drive my boat to hull speed, and even in a fairly significant chop it does not come out of the water (advantage of the well).

As for charging, I have a 'rectifier' fitted that tops off the batteries. It is rated at 12a, and does ok.

Another argument for the outboard is ease of maintenance. The original A-4 in the Ariel was pretty tight. Even with a slightly smaller diesel you still have a significant weight penalty, as well as the heat below decks. You skip both of these problems with the outboard.

I thought I wanted an inboard when I got my boat. I am happy with the outboard, although I may change over to a 4 stroke at some point in the future. I like the 2 stroke, but would like to be able to go farther on the fuel I carry.

You really should spend some time reading some of the past discussions on the topic, lots to think about.

FWIW, I think you would do quite well if you win the auction for Richard's boat. Knowing what I know now, I would pay at least a grand more then the upper limit you mentioned in your first post.

[cjackson]

Thanks guys for all your help and advice. Hopefully the auction doesn't go outside of my budget...keep your fingers crossed for me, and in a few days I'll be a proud Ariel owner. :D

[eric (deceased)]

I had a dream about one once.. it lasted 5 years..something about..... they have potential.... or was it really a dream???I still revelle in those days.