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>whot a sour bunch of putzes! he wants to hear it's a piece a cake.<
It'll be many beers, Capt Steve, befor you're done. If you insist on great ales, as I do, you gotta put it in the materials column against your asking price. More beer, less profit.
Some people here can put an Ariel back together in nothing flat, it is a mystery how he does it. But there definitely is a slow way and a fast way. That's for you to decide.
After you get it sailing again you could remarket it as a new fangled ab machine on the tube, become a millionaire and retire.
oh...:D
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Given that boats are addictions, not investments, and you are never going to get all of your time and money back (but you will be repaid ten times over in other ways) if you are looking for a sound investment you should probably look elsewhere. That being said, if the boat bug has infected you you're probably doomed anyhow so you might want to look at the costs as what you get for the money, not what you will get back. $1000 for the hull, $4-5000 for repairs (it always costs more than you plan) so figure $6000 for a reasonaby sound Ariel. Don't know what your local market is like but that's not unreasonable in mine. Are there better boats than Ariels? Certainly. Can you buy one for $6000? Highly unlikely. It's more likely that you will pay twice that and still have repairs to do. Are there better $6000 boats? I don't know of any. So for $6000 you end up with a sturdy. seaworthy, rather remarkable little boat, which doesn't sound like such a bad deal. You won't get more boat for the money. When you figure in that you get the use of the boat and will eventually be able to recover most of your costs it sounds even better. And there is the undeniable advantage that you don't have to work as much just to pay for the boat so you can sail more. That's what sold me when I bought my fixer Ariel. Now I have a nice little boat that I know thoroughly and don't owe a dime on so those days I would have been working to make the boat payment I can spend on the water.
$1000 does seem like a rip off for the rudder shaft. $350 sounds much more reasonable and realistic. Marymandara's suggestion of buying the materials and having your local vocational college metal shop make you a new one is a very good one. Then you'll end up with an extra few hundred to spend on something else. Trust me, it will get spent.
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Still thinking?
Steve,
I realize the last post on this thread is 3 months old, but if you are still considering the Ariel send me a message.
I am in NC also, mine is sitting in the New River. Maybe seeing one afloat would help you to make up your mind. (I know it did mine).
Craig
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Craig,
Thanks so much for your offer. The boat I was looking at was bought before I made a decision about it. My status is "On Hold" as far as a boat goes. There have been some items that I must put before buying a boat at this date.
Is your boat in a marina or is it at a privite residence on the New River? My work gets me to Jacksonville from time to time. It would be great to see your boat when my work takes me down your way. Thanks again for such a kind offer.
Take care.
Steve
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I have PM'ed you my contact info,
Just let me know when you are going to be in the area, and
we can see about setting something up. Most afternoons
work for me, just give me a call at the office.
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Steve, if you're still listening, keep in mind that owning any old boat is a purely selfish hobby. If you are at all concerned about recouping your investment consult with an experienced broker in your area and buy a boat less than 10 years old. Those of us on this board enjoy being surrounded by tool boxes, drawings, dust, paint and expensive materials from boat stores as much as we do sailing. We don't often admit to this but look in any DIY boatyard this time of the year and you'll see plenty of sweaty, happy "sailors" working on boats, talking boats, bragging boats but still not sailing boats.
We are in love with the fact that we made it right enough to sail safe with our own hands. We measure the cost against our satisfaction with a job well done. We see every breakdown as a challenge to our ingenuity not a financial loss. Our spouses suffer over this a lot. It's not about increasing the resale value of the boat--never will be for this bunch. It's not really about the boats either. It's about us.
SkipperJer
Happily afflicted owner of Commander #270
