I'm the new caretaker of Ariel-109

Installed the new tiller and coamings on 109 this blustery sunny afternoon. Cleaned and greased the old Merriman winches before reinstalling, they feel like new.

Ben

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Just cast an eye
In her direction
Oh me Oh my,
Ain't that perfection!

I got to sail Ariel 109 today for the first time. Amazing, what a beautiful day that I'll long remember as one of my best. My friend Hans and I pushed off the dock at City island, raised the mainsail, unfurled the jib and sailed out of the harbor. We had ideal conditions for sailing without the motor, which isn't in the boat yet anyhow. Off past Hart's Island and it's famous "Potter's Field" and into the beginnings of Long Island Sound. She sailed like a dream in the blustery winds out to Execution Rocks Lighthouse where we turned around and headed back. The wind picked up on the return trip and white caps appeared. We furled the jib in a bit and made it back to City Island lickety split. A nice soft landing at the dock and off to the City Island Diner for a late lunch.

My first time sailing an Ariel, what fun!

Ben

is what keeps me motivated and moving forward with my own project.

Glad you had a really good day of it and here is to many more just like it. :)

Thanks Jerry

Here I am at the helm of 109 yesterday. In desperate need of a haircut. I've loads of work still to do on the boat but she sailed nice. These boats can really point high.

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Now where did that come from.:D:D

Hello All

I couldn't find bow chocks to match the holes of the broken existing ones on 109. I had two pairs of skene chocks in my ever increasing collection of old boat hardware and junk. Very close in design to the originals but not long enough. After a little fabrication I adapted them to fit the boat. Didn't take too long to do, maybe two hours. Now 109 will be ready for the mooring.

Ben


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You do nice work. So I assume the two in the front are the modified ones?

Returning from a nice morning sail.

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My word! Must be nice to have a dock to yourself in such a big city! She looks great, Ben. Keep up the good work, I'd like to free-load in your shop and keep posting photos!

Tony, I think the marina just lets me keep my boat there for providing some atmoshere.

I finally had to move off to the mooring. The dock and dine pier I was staying at all this winter and spring is now needed for the summer boating season. It's just a short row out in the dingy from the old dock to this mooring. And the City Island Bridge isn't as close as these pictures make it seem. Kind of relaxing out there on the mooring.

Ben

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Ben - she looks l great out there! Moorings are better for showing off our shapely Albergs hulls anyway.

It's pretty amazing how many Alberg designed boats are moored about City Island. I know of six Tritons and three Cape Dory 25d sailboats within a quarter mile of my Ariel. And I'm sure more will appear as the yards empty out. Easy to confuse the Tritons for Ariels from a distance.

Went up to the boat this afternoon to work on some little projects on 109. Took this shot of the label on my spinnaker bag. These guys made sails for many famous yachts and I think began making sails on City Island around 1900. I think they lasted on the little island off the Bronx until the eighties. I'm not ready to fly this sail yet. But I might be the first to do so when I do. It looks unused.

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