Ariel Sailors! Question...

[Will J]

Hello sailors,
So! I found an Ariel for sail. $1600.00 in NC. The deck is soft but I was told that mast is pushing down into the cabin. The decks are soft I was told. I was told that the boat yard could drill holes and inject epoxy to stiffen the deck. Or the more expensive more complete is recoring. What are your thoughts please? Consider or run? What other questions could I ask if I should consider? I don't want the inside to leak. Are they know to? Any advise would be fantastic. Thank you Ariel/Commander sailors! -Will

[Bill]

Sounds like a major deck re-core job. Costly, unless you do it yourself. Then, it's just a big pain. If it were me, I'd only consider it if the boat was free. And then, it had better be really good. My advice is to keep looking. Don't rush. Others may have different opinions . . .

[ebb]

Bill is right!
Unless you have some carpenter-like skills, and a basic understanding of fiberglassing, it
will be too much for a first timer -- the way you are describing it.

Will say, the problems you have there are not uncommon with these boats. Pages in this
Forum show pix of Ariels and Commanders being recored, and having the strongback inside
the cabin under the mast redone.

Looking at it from your perspective it must seem daunting. But the process is straight
-forward. And expensive. I would not have any marina yard personel do the work, unless
you can supervise them, and make decisions they can't. Boring holes and injecting epoxy
has been successfully done, as has recoring. Recoring results in a stronger fix.

If you want to go sailing, go sailing. If you want a project, and you have a rent free place
to do a restoration, and free time to give to it, many have found that to be very gratifying.
And, you will end up with a friend.

$1600 for a boat that cannot be sailed is too much to ask. Depends on what comes with it.
Sails? General condition, is the boat otherwise in good shape? Spars, rigging, deck gear?
Cockpit coamings, cabin inside? Other known leaks? Does it come with a trailer?

Has the boat spoken to you?

[Will J]

Good morning to you!
Wow. Thank you for talking me off the ledge. I'm just so eager to get this boat. I need to take a deep breath and stay patient. Good boats come to those who wait. Lol! I already have a really nice Rhodes 19. And unfortunately my boat repair/maintenance skill is zero. I can clean a boat to showroom but that's as far as my skill goes. I wish I had the space, tools and knowledge to do big repairs. I really did think that $1,600 was to good to be true. I knew it wasn't going to be pristine but I don't have the money to repair her the way it should be. I will wait for a better boat. It does make me sad that this beauty is being neglected.

[Will J]

Hi Bill,
Thank you. I will certainly have to wait. I don't have the skill to do any repair like that or the tools. I have friends that can but they want to sail their boats and not have to recore mine. I will wait for a better boat. It makes me sad that this beauty is being forgotten and neglected. I wish I could open a boat yard for all the classics being left behind and give them love and restoration and then give or sell them to people that share our passion for the good old classics. Thank you again for your info. I will wait.

[joeniver]

Hi Will:
i got my Commander for free. In ready to sail condition.
Then the cost started:
Move boat to my house $250.00
Registration-no bill of sale: 700.00
Mooring permit: $150.00
Purchase mooring: $650.00
Move boat and put in water with lift 400.00??

If you could find one that is in the water (location dependent), with time left on the mooring/slip and permit you could do it very cheap.

[Will J]

Hello!
Free?? Lucky!! :) That's fantastic! There is a Commander in Milwaukee that I'll be looking at in May. I'm very excited. I'd love to see it sooner but the owner has it covered and shrink wrapped for the winter and would prefer to keep it that way until spring. I guess I understand but I'm not known for being patient, so this will be a good test! Do you love your Commander? I'd like to use mine as a place to weekend on in the summer. Do you feel that's possible? I understand about the cost adding up. I currently have a Rhodes 19 and when I get an Ariel or Commander it will cost be a little but over double to keep the boat for the year. Thank you for your note!

[joeniver]

I have not sailed my Commander but I am in love with it. My wife keeps saying it is me or the boat! Boy and I going to miss her--wife!
I have the boat in the back yard and have to wait until April to put it in the water. I know how you feel about being impatient!

There is more than enough room in the cabin for 1 person. Sleeps 4 the ad says. Ariel or commander are both great.
I have to stoop a little in the cabin--I am 5'10", but I don't mind.

[Will J]

Good morning!
I forgot to respond to your question of, "has the boat spoken to you?" Oh, has it ever. I see these Ariels and Commanders sailing in photos, as I've not sailed on one and they look incredible. I'm obsessed with those classic lines, beautiful sheer and design of Carl Alberg boats. This is the boat I want to have when I'm old, retired and can put and sail all day in the summer. I'm very excited to get one of these boats!

[Will J]

You haven't sailed your Commander? Is it a new boat for you? Ha! I know what you mean!! I'd choose a beautiful boat too! If I should get a Commander or Ariel it may just come down to that choice! When I look at the Commander in May that's for sale in Milwaukee, what would you suggest I focus on to be sure it's a sound boat? Are there a few things that are more important to look out for then others? I'm 6'0 and would have no issue with stooping in the cabin. I'll be sitting and reading or playing cards or lounging enjoying the interior. I'll stand tall (or sit tall) while sailing this beauty of a boat.

[joeniver]

Hi Will J:
Its my first boat (other than a 15' Mutineer) and people in this forum will answer your questions! This is a great treasure-trove of information. The only criteria for mine is that is will not sink!!!! It leaks some from the deck--needs re-coring--but I will be able to sail during the season while I work on the deck. Generator and skill-saw on the water.

If you look at C-28 in this forum, that is the previous owner. Very nice pictures.

joe