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Well Tony....Ebb. I just finished reviewing both your projects. Great work and creativity on both your parts. The reason I reviewed them (for the gazillienth time) was I am struggling with starting #215 or parting #215.
I had decided to "part" her. ALL the decks are bad. Much of the cabin roof as well. There are other serious issues. It is a huge undertaking (as both of you know) and I realize that if I start...I will never get my money nor time back !! I also realize that once "in"...I will question my sanity...often!!!
Hense the "part" her decision.
Then....I go for an easy little island hopping cruise here (Abacos) and like the old girlfriend ya just can't get out of your mind...I keep thinking "Ariel"
With the low freeboard they are SO easy on/off from the dingy. The shallow draft is great. They simply sail so darn well and handle big wind/waves like a champ. And...If started...the creativity is rewarding. Kinda like starting with close to a clean slate on systems and interior design (they need no help on ext. looks or hull shape!) You get a chance to do it "your way"
So....I look at both your projects and get both inspired...and scared.
You both know what I mean.
Decisions..........?????????
PS...Tony...I still think an aft head might work ;-)
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It's great to hear from you again, Frank! It's even better that you are still thinking about #215 as having that potential, and giving back that reward that only a project like her's can give. You did it before with Revival in a different time and a different place in life. These are such great little boats. You know that more than I do. So even though she is in bad shape, she's small, and because of that very character, easy to mend and less expensive to finish. What more can one say? She has waited patiently so far for a reason. I love #113 and, like others, have continually battled with having too many ideas to fit in the diminuative hull. Of course we will never get a 10th of our money out of these projects. But weigh that against what you do get out of it. Money really lacks when compared to these other things that have substance.
I know an aft head will work on these boats by simply moving the main hatch 5 to 6 inches off the center. The point I realized it was after I had built the sea hood and dodger coamings and thought it too late to change my plans. An interior much like a Dana could be had with a little less storage capacity. But that would make a realistic interior for a mini cruiser. You would not carry 3 months stores out of sight but a couple of weeks worth would be pretty easy.
What ever your choice, you will have my support, Frank. Just let me know if there is anything I can do.
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Thanks Tony. A huge part of the desire to restore her is the creativity doing it and the fun trying to "make things work". Revival got my feet wet. Then I did the Electra with bad decks and a holed keel. These boats simply sail so well. I think they are worth the effort. Looking at your project and Ebb's gets me inspired. Then the reality sets in....I'd be going in with "eyes wide open"...knowing the frustrations that come along with the satisfaction. The shop is built now. Once home I have to clean up 2 small projects before bringing her in for a once over. Will decide then....but it sure is hard gettin the ideas outta your head ;-)
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Found a few pics of a Flicka's head from outside and in. Gives an idea how small they can be. I'm not home yet to measure....but honestly think this will work on an Ariel. While it is small...it does offer a bit of privacy. some thing in life ya just don't want to share ;-)[IMG]n_a[/IMG]
Just realized I don't know how to upload a darn pic!! ;-)
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Found a few pics of a Flicka's head from outside and in. Gives an idea how small they can be. I'm not home yet to measure....but honestly think this will work on an Ariel. While it is small...it does offer a bit of privacy. some thing in life ya just don't want to share ;-)
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I don't want to discourage you, so please consider this a list of items to consider, not a list of reasons why it can't be done.
As I recall, someone either here or on another forum was considering enclosing the head using the Flicka as a basis for the idea. The issues that came up were that the Flicka carries a wider beam further aft, the Ariel's large salon ports tended to get in the way of the forward bulkhead, and that the Ariel has a slack bilge relative to the Flicka (which is built more like a modern production boat, though she is full keel.) If you were willing to do an, in my opinion, inordinate amount of work to offset the companionway you could get more space to work with although that would create issues of its own. Again, I stress that I'm not try to discourage you, I'm just offering information based on previous efforts by others. I'm sure you can do it, it's just a matter of how many compromises will be made in the process.
I look forward to seeing progress on the boat, you are undertaking a worthy and noble task. I chickened out (I just couldn't afford it) on a full restoration but I still enjoy puttering around on my "new to me" Pearson. Projects like this let me live vicariously.
Take care,
Avery
Pearson Wanderer #102 "Loon"
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Thanks Avery. It may well not work....but I'm hopin ;-) I have cruised for several months on both of these boats and am familiar with the pros/cons. (post #81 was my flicka) It wil be close....but I still think doable. It isn't the beam....rather the wider side decks on our Ariels that make it more difficult. I remember using the Flickas head for over a month before figuring out how to come out with my pants up !! ;-) Having said that....while "on the throne" in a flicka...you were at the perfect elavation to look out the port!!
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I absolutely understand the impulse to try and fit an enclosed head. I came very close to buying an Ariel twice(!) but the lack of a private head was one of the issues I couldn't get past. I still think they're the prettiest boats on the water (next to the Triton.)
Avery
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Number 215 pulled out of my driveway tonight. It was being towed behind a grey Honda ridgeline...but not mine. In the end...youthful enthusiasim won out over jaded experience. Daniel MacDonal is the new owner. He has been on this site and I hope he joins. Being both 36 and a carpenter will no doubt give him 2 desirable qualities in a restoration. He only lives about 100 miles away and I have offered to answer any-all questions during the process. I wish him well. As we hooked 215 up...I told him Revival was the finest sailing boat I have ever had offshore. I meant it! Good luck to him.
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Hi Frank, Gosh I know the turmoil you went through on deciding what to do. How did you make out with the Electra? Did you get it down to the islands and leave it there for future use as you had planned or did it not work out? Carl
