Ariel #92 The Anne Bonny

Hello everyone. My name is Larry and I have been working with much pleasure on my Pearson Ariel hull # 92. I bought her and hauled her myself 1300 miles from Mass. to Alabama. I started with cleaning of course and here is a glimpse of the condition she was in.Attachment 7980Attachment 7981Attachment 7982Attachment 7983Attachment 7984. It was in Nov. when I brought her home so I tackled the interior first. I cleaned it up and scraped and sanded and painted. It was a lot of work and cold sometimes but I enjoyed seeing it evolve. It was also exciting to go through years of collectibles, trinkets, old tools and spare parts. I have cleaned the exterior and put one coat on the top and anti-skid. I have also stripped and re-varnished the exterior teak which was surprisingly in good shape. I will post some pictures of Anne how she looks now tomorrow. Happy sailing, keep up the dream.

Hello Larry and Welcome , That's a nice looking Ariel and I might add a great first post including pictures. There are a few members from AL as well here. I'm sure they will be chiming in. That is a pretty long tow, I've made that trip twice, to rescue an Electra in CT and a Ariel in MA. I'm located in Middle GA and have access to some Ariel parts so if you find yourself needing something just put out a request and see if one of us has it . Looking forward to the future pictures. Don't think I've seen red counter tops before!!

Welcome, Larry. Nice job securing a fine boat. I am really looking forward to the coming pictures and I LOVE the name. I once had a store cat named Anne Bonny...she was a pirate cat indeed.

Thank you Carl. Yeah that was a long haul but so worth it! I never seen red counter tops either. Unfortunately someone stained them with a chemical ..I suspect gas from prior mechanizing. I have redone the counter top pictured and sanded and repainted the stove. I went with an emerald green which I plan on painting her bottom side. While I try to maintain it's originality some things I find as cosmetics I can be a little flexible. Again thanks for the compliments and info..Larry

Thanks Tony..yes I think the Ariel is one sexy cruiser. I searched, looked at and researched many capable cruisers that could be trailer-ed. 5 yrs before I made up my mind. This one will be sailed in the Gulf and Caribbean soon. She'll be my home away from home. Anne bonny is a great name for a cat too!

Hi. As promised here are some pics. of my girl's interior make-over. I wish I had taken more before shot's but I was so excited and dove right in not thinking much of record. But if you seen my previous post these should convey the dramatic transformation. First I removed everything and went through with my hammer, telescope mirror and to my astonishment this girl was sound all but a few easily patch-able spots! I am a painter and I painted all the inside with exception to the hull itself with 100% acrylic exterior paint. Attachment 8005Attachment 8006Attachment 8007 I redone the stove counter top, which was red and badly stained and stripped and sanded the stove top top and bottom. The counter top I sanded and sprayed with enamel emerald green and coated it with three coats of polyurethane.
How does my engine look? I worked hard cleaning and stripping. You know how hard it is diving into the starboard and port compartments from the cockpit. A good thing I have a certification in Auto tech. as I pulled all it exterior parts off and cleaned them and checked them. This engine runs like a top! Fires up right away and runs cool as cucumber! I did have trouble at first with the float sticking but I was able to re-polish the float needle solving that problem. Definitely don't need any gas in the bilge! In the last picture I have re-routed those wires, old antenna and depth sounder, speaking of which my next post I want to show how I mounted my Depth sounder fish finder so you can swing it in and out of the cabin without dismantling it. I think you will like the curtains and cushions I cleaned/replaced as well. Hey those 1960 England made barometer and clock still work! I love It!

Last Spring I installed a new depth sounder/fish finder. I wanted to share the idea that had evolved in the installation. I used a 3/4 " thick piece of oak. 5 1/2 " L and 3 1/2" W. I drilled two holes on one end and attached it to the outer edge of my companionway frame opening. I drilled another 7/16" hole through the width on the other end for a hinge pin type function. I then added another piece of oak strip for an extension to mount the monitor on. This is what I came up with.:D Attachment 8013Attachment 8014 I will be adding another thin piece of oak (an angular brace) under the extension piece holding the monitor for support and stability.

Here is some shots of the interior with cushion and curtains in place
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This summer I have been re- finishing the teak and ant-skid on Anne Bonny. The teak was in pretty good shape. I was a little peeved when I found someone had stained it though. Why someone would go dark on such lovely grain I don't know. I didn't want to strip it with chemicals because this was very old teak and I wanted to preserve what oils and integrity was left. So, pains- takings I scraped and sanded every bit. There are a few small issues but overall I think it came out well. As far as the anti skid I will put another coat on in the Spring.
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I did this myself..a little rough but I am an decent artist and will perfect it when I transfer it to Anne's transom. This is drawn in actual size, though you can't tell by this picture. It is colored pencil.

Nice lettering! did you draw the letters yourself? or trace them?

Yes big "C" I free-handed it. I was a graphic artist for 5 years mostly SEC conference concession items and memorabilia and still do a little on the side. Some for truck drivers and certain functions. I am now possessed though to preparing for sailing away with my new love and haven't much time on my hands to do a lot with anything else..Like your galley:)

Larry,
Like that mouthful of a word!
But no kidding, you've spruced the ole gal up and holding her to the dream!:cool:

I'm especially impressed with your appropriate and artful transom letteringm - and coloring.
Dislike block 'headline' non-serif names on sailboats.
Tricky names in newspaper type face belong on power boats and street signs,
not sexy gals like our A/Cs.

I'd be very interested in talking about your doing a job of work for Little Gull (aka litlgull).
I'll contact you on the PM here.
Interested?

Thanks Ebb and sure..yeah she is looking decent. I not going for perfect and I kind of like a little roughness. Heck if I wanted a new boat I would go buy one. I just need her sea-worthy equipped and comfy. Some buy a vessel work on for years trying to make 'em perfect and never hit the water or go broke, not me...I'm Bahama bound! Hey Ebb I'm like you on the lettering. Even landscapes and such everyone takes the easy route with squaring everything? What and how and I'll tell you what or if I can do. I'm afraid you'll have to catch me morn'-afternoon weekly before 2 central though because I have to work nights for the next couple weeks - weekends anytime.

Well as winter closes in I have to look for new things to do. And one on the list and probably none better in taking on is removing the paint off the bottom. This because it requires hard labor for me( because of my approach) and it makes it much more easier to put more time in. No worry of a heat stroke! The anti-foul on Anne's bottom side is old and flaking. I am scraping for the reason that I can feel and see any discrepancies in her soundness. I am using a dull knife and 5 "n"one scraper so if there is a soft spot I want to know it. Besides..no pain no gain, great exercise. HeHe.. It comes off fairly easy in spots anyway. I will sand what I can't scrape off.