Ariel #331

We have found a boat that is not in the registry, and it’s right here in the SF Bay Area :eek: Ariel #331 was recently acquired by John Apley who, interestingly, is a live aboard on a power boat in the same marina -- Richmond’s Harbor Bay marina. Nice marina with wide concrete docks and gangways.

Sorry to report that the boat is in pretty neglected shape. I believe the former owner was aging and developing physical disabilities which eventually forced the sale of the boat.

John is just starting the cleaning and repair routine, and there’s lots of work to be done. But, one of its previous owners ("PO") made some interesting interior modifications. The PO evidently had some ideas for making things more comfortable for cruising the Bay and Delta -- definitely NOT a racer.

John, I believe, does not have internet access and may not own a computer.

Let’s begin with an outside view [Note -- We found only one small soft spot in the deck]:

Here's a view of the cockpit & mainhatch. Condition of all the exterior wood trim is poor.

View of cabin from mainhatch. Not that the hanging locker and vanity have both been removed making the quarter berths that much longer. Must have been tall people. :confused: [Note -- Door also is gone from the companionway.]

The PO added lead just aft of the head. Also, the original pigs are stuffed way forward in the bilge. Appears there may be an extra 200 pounds of ballast. Should really stiffen up the boat :)

Forcabin bunk & chain locker. Not insert to make bunk larger.

View of chain locker and added bulkhead. Chain was kept in the forward most compartment and there is a hawsepipe fitting above. The blue hose in the H2O hose going to the water tank.

Starboard bunk & stowage.

Port bunk and stowage. The backrest cushion is actually one of the cockpit cushions.

Here it is with the cushion out of the way.

The maincabin steps have drawers for storage.

Upper drawer step removed

Both drawer steps removed

Ops, here's the view with the step drawers and hatch open

Where the stove is stowed.

The part of the icebox inside the cabin was removed and there is a shelf / chart table in its place. The original ice compartment is still there and is only accessible from the cockpit. (A cockpit drink holder?).

There is an opening into the port cockpit locker from the galley for a garbage drop!

Here is the garbage door open . .

Here is one of the items added to make life easier for the PO. A grab rail to help in getting into and out of the forecabin bunk.

And, a grab rail under the forecabin hatch . .

Neat cabin convenience light -- one on each side of companionway.

Here's one (actually two) of the most interesting customizations. No 1 is the new battery location -- under the port side of the forecabin berth.

No 2 is the location of the "new" icebox -- under the starboard side of the forecabin berth. The new box was made from the original one, and the lid is actually the door from the old icebox.

Here on the foredeck are the water input fixture, hawsepipe and ventilator. [It actually says "fuel" on the water input :eek: The original water fill fixture remains, but not sure of its purpose. Probably too much work to remove.

There's probably more, but by the time I finished the shoot, I was overloaded with data :o There may be usefull ideas here for some, but A-331 is certainly an interesting collage of modifications that were intended to increase the PO's comfort.

Did you notice the 'tide line' on the cabin steps , almost to the top of the bunks !

She has less than half as much mildew as #45 did when I got her .

The hose fell from the sink drain and . . . well, we all know what happens when the hose falls from the sink drain and there is not a closed seacock . . . :(

Bill,

Tell John that I have his main bullkhead on my boat, Augustine, Hull #330, Here's my photo of last summer to prove it along with the original 1965 plan drawing of the Ariel Schooner. If John decides to peel off the formica on his main bulkhead over the door, I would be interested in knowing if a different hull number is afixed thereon. :)

Very interesting! I'll let him know.

338 is SO glad 331 has found her new project manager.

Bunch of nice subtle changes that must have made sailing her and living with her much more fun. Longer berths, removing the boxy furniture, wider kitchen counter, 'garbage chute!' The pigs up front must mean she did some sailing befor her forced retirement.

Keep that forensic eye on her, Bill!

Good to see the battery up front, been planning on doing the same.

I will be putting 2 Trojan T105 (6V golf cart batteries, rigged in series to make it a 12V system) up there, soon, one to each side. Locally, I can get the pair of T105's for $130, which'll be 225Ah for the house bank. Can beat 'em for the price - they cost about 1/2 of a "marine" battery of similar Ah capacity from a famous western marine store... :)

Whoever the prior owner was, he sure had an immagination.

I like the Chain locker mod, have been struggling to figure out how to better use this area. I like the shelf others have added, but don't want the added weight up high. That mod might be seen on #226. :cool:

The ice box cut down is a good idea too, I don't regret removing mine but that mod might be done in a way to partially achieve two of the goals of the mod (at least in my mind). I wanted to gain interior space (which the shelf he added helps). I would also think that the smaller, re-worked box could be made more weather safe, so that ice box lid would not be the liability that it seemed to me to be.

Kurt and I had discussed his plans to move his batteries fwd EXACTLY like this, just two weeks ago. It seems to me that moving the weight low, and fwd (about where many add lead) is a really good idea.

As for the stowage under the steps, well, #338's original cabin door is doing pretty much the same thing aboard #226 (thanks again Ebb). Using this space just makes too much sense to me.

Personally I would not want to remove the 'furnature' without some kind of replacement, but then as a cruiser, racer, and part time liveaboard I keep entirely too much crap aboard to do without it.

I look forward to seeing this boat come back! Good luck. :D

Just wanted to share with the community a picture of my first SailBoat. "Che" is a 1965 Pearson Ariel Hull #331. I am really glad to have found this forum and I look forward to interacting with you all in the near future. I am very interested in finding out the history of this particular boat...perhaps even reconnecting with past owners..etc. I believe Che started out in Sausalito and as chance would have it...will be back in Sausalito next week.

331 Where have i seen that before . . . Scott Gallloway, but funny it doesnt look like the sketch :)

http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussi...t=cave+drawing

This just in. There is a new owner for A-331. His note reads:

Hi Bill...
Just going through the Discussion section of the website I came across pictures of Ariel #331 that I just purchased from a guy in the Richmond Marina. I would be interested in getting in contact with John or anybody else that may have a bit more info on my new boat. It does need some work...but she sailed quite alright when I brought her over to Sausalito...I look forward to hearing from you....

Sincerely

Adam

really neat fotos from the start.the worst place to put a water tank filling receptical....on the bow.if yer' going to voyage into the realm of dragons----modify the filler so as it can be filled from below deck.thats as bad as putting a fuel receptical in the cockpit floor---jus' awaitin' fer' seawater intrusion.I think nowadaize we'd call that a "design flaw" :eek:

So what's the deal with Adams buying Ariels? Alliterative Adam Ariel accquirers?

:)

When I was living in the Bay Area in 2002, I had the idea of getting back into sailing. While looking for a small boat that I could single-hand, I saw an ad for an Ariel, and I even remember looking on this website for info (though I didn't register then). I liked the idea of a sturdy and steady boat for the San Francisco Bay, and I liked her lines, so I went for a test sail.

I didn't look for the hull number, but from the pictures here, I'm fairly certain it was the same one. The depth sounder, the drawers, battery under the berth, and the water fixture on the foredeck all look familiar. And I remember the light blue anti-slip deck which had a soft spot. What looks new is the extra V-berth insert and the trash door. Also, I don't remember so much mold on the deck, it looks like she hasn't sailed much since then.

The boat was in Sausalito at the time, and the owner's name was Lance. He was a young lawyer from the city who just bought a steel boat to sail around the world instead of trying to make partner right away. I remember he also had a Land Rover that wasn't much younger than the Ariel, so I knew he had good taste in vehicles. I assume he was the previous previous owner, meaning that the PO didn't have it for very long.

I passed up my chance to buy it because I was hoping to get him to come down the cost of a haul-out. Maybe I just didn't know the true value of an Ariel. Having since moved to Hawaii, I wonder if I would've dared to sail her here (stories anyone?--just found Eric's, well done). Anyways, I'm thinking of getting out on the water again, and I'm lurking here because that Ariel is the closest I've been to owning a boat. I never thought I'd see her again, so I had to register and share my story.

"Louis(Andy), I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." :D

Just wanted to share with everybody a few of the projects I have going on right now...

Should have my main cabin battens in tomorrow...and then start finishing the modified lockers. I know I am losing space with these locker designs...but I wanted to maintain both long berths. More to come...

Here are the roughed in lockers...

A few pics looking into the lockers...The boat is slowly coming along. I have redone the running rigging...slowly plugging away on rebedding hardware...Standing rigging will be replaced sometime soon...the list goes on. This is my first sailboat and I must say I am sold on the Ariels!!! Will keep you all posted....Any advice...thoughts...recommendations...critique's.. .are always welcome...

Looks good! I love that "bead board" or "panel" look - what's the proper term? It's nice to see another creative interior design coming together.

What are you planning on using the little nooks for? Shelving?

Actually that is traditionally called a ceiling or ceiling planking when installed in a wooden boat. Gives extra strength to the hull and protects the frames and hull planking from damage from within, like if something got loose in the hold.
On the 122' schooner I just worked on , we installed 2 1/2" thick ceiling planks.

In the photo , the lower of the three is the first of the ceiling planks, above that is the sheer clamp and above that is the beam shelf. The deck beams are fitted into and on the baem shelf.

That goes from "oh, isn't that a nice detail" to :eek: !! Truly impressive.

Wow...
The work on that Schooner is amazing...my ceiling planks are not going to be quite as beefy but I guess the support stringers do provide some support to the Hull. I like having the ability to really lean back against the hull...find it more comfortable. As far as the lockers go...I am probably going to set up some sort of shelving system on both for food, clothes, general storage..and perhaps a bottom portion of one will be for Wet Weather Gear...and rig a drain to the Bilge...not quite sure. Will keep everyone posted...All ideas welcome...

Thanks

Well my work on #331 is coming along...Here are a few updated pics...

One More...

Lookin GOOD !!! Neat to see different peoples ideas come to life.I build houses and could never figure out why those 'schooner builder' types call walls-cielings,but I guess when you'r heeled far enough over ,they become the cieling ! Anyhoot...keep up the good work and new ideas coming.Great to see new blood in Ariel work.

Yeah and "floors" are not what you walk on , but they hold the frames (ribs) together and attach them to the keel .
Every pair of frames has a floor , these are bronze , the ones way aft are wood.

33yrs in construction.......now I'm really :confused: cunfused !!...but that seems to take less and less these days.What ever ya call it thats gettin done to 331...I like it.More pics please (Ariel that is) :p

Here are a few more...Thanks for the feedback...Will keep you all posted...

One more...Reduce, Recycle, Reuse....you can see the blue tape in this shot...considering I took out both shelves in the main cabin..I had some nice long pieces of teak...which have been cut to size...and are now acting as trim on my Galley table...a few coats of stain and Poly and it should last for another 40 years...well maybe... :) I am sold on the ceiling planks...very comfy just sitting back into the curve of the Hull...More to come...

I just bought a '66 Ariel in about the same shape. Don't know the hull number yet but it's going to be worthwhile work. Eric

Sounds good Eric..
I should have some updated pics of "Che" in the next few days...would love to see what you scored...They are fun boats to both work and sail on....Good luck

Here are few more pictures of Che:
New Topside Non-Skid Paint...
New 3/8 Lexan Windows...
New Teak Hand Rails...

I was lookin at your 'before' pics.....really lookin GOOD !! While your through bolted port lights may not be as 'pretty'...they will sure be safer. That was a concern I had out in the 'big stuff'. At 3/8th in and bolted in,they gotta be strong and safe.

I agree. Looking really good. She has very clean lines and the fresh paint accentuates them. It can't be said enough, these boats just look good wether they're loaded for cruising or stripped down and in the middle of a rehab project.
I gotta ask, did you have any issues getting the 3/8" lexan to conform to the compound curves of the cabin top? I haven't tried yet although, I've eyed the task ahead numerous times hoping to solve any problems before they happen. (yeah, right) What can I say, I'm a dreamer...

Thanks for the feedback...
When I received the 3/8 inch Lexan from Tap Plastics...I was worried that it would not conform to the Cabin Top Contours...Surprisingly it does...I know the windows are little short of stock..however I feel good with the fact that they are overkill...and my offshore "Aqua" intake will be ZERO!! First rain is almost upon us...hopefully the boat will stay as dry as it has the past 4 months:) Here is another rough pic of the interior...

One more...The Bulkhead is going to be covered w/ wood this week and stained the same stain as the Ceiling Boards along the hull...will keep you posted...And I must agree...these boat look amazing! The lockers you see are in a holding pattern for now until I get my External Chainplates Installed...Hopefully sometime soon... More to come....

Looking good, Che. I'll be doing the same thing as you have done, mounting the lexan for deadlights externally.

I like your main cabin ceilings a lot, too. Nice looking grain in that wood. :)

My Bulkhead is coming along...more pics to come...

Sweet! That'll be one sleek and classy interior when you're done.

BTW, how did you attach the handrail to the underside of the coach roof?

Well alot has happened to Che since my last posting...I will put together the pics and post a big update in the next day or so. I hauled Che out this past weekend...all went well....More to come...

I'm lovin' the strips of wood on the cabin walls and the external chainplates. I would be very interested in seeing and hearing some details on the chainplate installation. I am flirting with the idea for #24. Keep up the good work and keep those pictures coming!

Tim

Yes the external chain plates, did you goto the outside of the existing knees, or the inside?, did the stays need lengthened? Did you reinforce the interior glass? How thick was the existing glass in the area?

Here are a few pics....

Gimbaled Lamps for the evening....

Force 10 Drop In Two Burner....Don't leave home without it :)

Strongback reinforcement...
3/8" Aluminium Strips on both sides...Thru-Bolted...Not going anywhere.

Little Swing Out Table for Cutting on when cooking....

New Mainsheet set-up...Windvane....Propane Tank Location...and my $30 Swap Meet Tiller...

Yes...Che officially has a Baby Blue Hard Dodger...made out of 1/8" Mahogany Door Skin and Two-Three Layers of 29 oz Glass...Still needs finishing...but it is a start....

Another shot of the Dodger...Looking forward...

My Co-Pilot....

Propane Location For Now...More pics to come...I will be installing my newly acquired LED Tri Color sometime this week...I've decided on going with Handheld GPS Units and a small little Hummingbird Puck Depthfinder for my navigation and depthsounding set up.....See you all soon...

My 5500 pound El Toro....:)

NICE JOB, Adam,
She's ready for adventure!

And I like the 'setsail' series of shots that not so symbolically show her comandante physically launching Che into her new life. In that first photo you could swear she's stretched her pride into a 30' waterline, so ready she is to fly!

Your galley looks perfect, and friendly. Really nice.
Like your 'dynamic dodger, should do everything a dodger is asked to do, including being a home for some flexible solar panels. Looks right-on at different angles, nice proportions. Doesn't detract from the lines at all!

Tidy wind vane. Looks good on the stern. WHOSE?
What a transformation - when we follow her fortune from the beginning of this thread!!!
Inspiration!


Viva la revolucion!:cool:

Thanks for your comments EBB. Che is indeed coming along....The Galley is really comfortable...the Monitor windvane continues to amaze me....I managed to scrap together a decent inventory of sails....the dodger keeps me warm and dry....and we will be heading down to Half Moon Bay for a little shake down run next weekend. I stopped by your boat the other day, after an all you can eat Indian Restaurant stop, but it was all boarded up. I did notice the Triton a few spaces down from you....as well as that cute wooden boat a few spaces down from the Triton...Any idea what sort of boat that is? More pics to come....

Maybe you could get a buddy boat to snap some shots of you entering Pillar Point Harbor? Can be really exciting in the afternoon :D

Bill,
Buddy Boats are always welcome....Any takers? I'm thinking about starting the Alberg Buddy Boat Association (ABBA)...the only prerequisites would be owning an Alberg designed sailboat of your choice, having the desire to voyage in these beautiful boats, and not liking the song "Dancing Queen". Look out for ABBA in the near future....Carl would have dug it!!!:D

Che heading under the Golden Gate....

That is one incredible picture!

A friend captured a few shots out on the water...

Go Che Go!!!!

Between you and Tim (Ariel 24), I'm not going insane at my desk, wishing I was out sailing:)
Thanks for posting the GREAT pics:)

Nice to know there are other desk jockeys suffering along with me... :D

great looking boat.. I like the wind vane!

Had a great time sailing in the Singlehanded Sailing Society Vallejo 1+2 Race...Che made it up and made it back....Resting in Vallejo...Also noticed a fellow Ariel won their division in the East Bay Estuary Race....A Boat Named CAT WALK...Does anybody know the owner? The Boat? If the weather works out...planning on a weekend trip up to Drake's Bay...Should be fun...

Che, after I sent you the message, I looked up your boat. It looks very nice from the first photo. do you have any more? So you sail out in California? Man I hear the wind is awesome there. I do miss the open water.... but at least we're sailing.
How's the inside look?
mike

Pictures to come....Had a great sail this past weekend out on the ocean. Pretty crazy conditions with 12-14 ft seas and winds ranging anywhere from 15-25 Knots gusting 30 at times. Che handled the conditions wonderfully. We beat out about 30 miles and then had a wonderful broad reach back in. I had no idea how well these boats surf!!! We averaged 7.5 knots on the ride back in...and it was a wild ride...as I mentioned the GPS was showing a consistent 7.5 knots but with a double reefed main + working Jib....we were coming off some waves at 10...11 knots...with our max speed topping out at 13.6knots!!!! These little boats are right at home in the big stuff....and with the Dodger + Weather cloth additions to my boat...It was a rather dry ride...Pics to come...

Makes me reflect back to the very best day sailing of my life. I tried crossing from the keys to Bimini but it was into the wind and fuel was running out.About 10 knm from Bimini I aborted the crossing decided to sail up to Lake Worth inlet.The fastest,most exciting sail ever.A close reach in increasingly heay seas..Revival simply romped along, in complete control.The wind ended up aroung 22-24knts in the gulfstream.The way she handled the conditions was amazing...these are FINE offshore boats. Thanks Carl;) PS..love your chain plates

well-found
well-handled
well-favored

Che can fly
and so can her skipper

Wow, now Che, that's awesome Sailing! Reminds me of Sailing in Mobile Bay on a very good day. I hear you West Coast guys get that wind all the time! We only get that kind of wind when I am working:( When we hit the water, the wind stops:confused: Oh well ... hey hows that Solar Panel working? Do yo have to use power regulator? And what all do you need power for?

Adam, what head sails do you have? I have a fair amount of sails to get rid of, including a spinaker, genoa, and some storm sails... if you need some let me know.
mike

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Che

Pretty crazy conditions with 12-14 ft seas and winds ranging anywhere from 15-25 Knots gusting 30 at times....

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Holy Moley!! I want to see those pictures!! Can I come sail with you??

Here are a few pics from our most recent adventure...these pics were taken early on before the wind starting kicking up. It is amazing how the long period ground swell doesn't read very well on these pics...We were beating out the Main Channel and there were breakers on the North & South Bar...I had the full main up with a 140% clipping along between 5.5-6.0 knots. Monitor Windvane Steering...Life is good! As the wind picked up...we reefed in the Main still flying the 140%...Reefed Main and a 90%...and finally a Double Reefed Main and the 90%. I look forward to the next adventure...The last picture in this sequence is my buddy's boat...a Valient 32...Makes you wonder what Che was looking like from his perspective. More pics to come....

Adam, great pix.
Your dodger flows so well with Alberg's lines, himself might have designed it.

Dodger is reminiscent of Marcel Bardiaux's Les 4 Vents who built his boat and circumnavigated singlehand via Cape Horn in the '50s.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Che

It is amazing how the long period ground swell doesn't read very well on these pics...

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Attempts to capture wave magnitude in photos never seems to do justice. I worked for three months on a 220' Japanese fishing trawler in the Bering Sea after grad school and my photos from the deck of 30' seas looked unremarkable.

More pictures! What a beautiful place to sail.

EBB...
Thanks for your kind words on the Dodger...I am very pleased with how it turned out and I also think it suits the Alberg Lines. It has really transformed the way I live on and sail this boat. I especially like the angle of the two forward windows because it allows me to stand below in the Companionway...look up....and see what is going on with my sails while I am underway. It also makes for a dry ride....More pics to come....

Just checking back in with the Forums....The Singlehanded Sailing Society's first race of the season is coming up on the 26th of Jan....Is anyone else in the Ariel contingent planning on racing? I'm excited about the upcoming season....Hope all is well with everyone....