Ariel 322 (at last)

[SkipperJer]

Your first sailboat? have you done much sailing before?

[Fox]

I have never sailed before, I know some people who have though, and I will enlist their help on getting me started. As far as the atomic 4 goes, It probably could be rehabilitated, though I am a bit leery of having a gas inboard.

[SkipperJer]

As one first timer to another I strongly advise you to invest as little as possible in time and money right now. Do just enough to get the boat out on the water safely and sail it as much as you can. My perspective on what my boat needed changed drastically as I discovered what I enjoyed most about sailing. The boat will sail just fine with dull paint and no varnish. Old sails will get you out there. Rebuilding an Atomic 4 is a great winter project but for now borrow an outboard or buy a used one that you can resell later. I've sold a lot of things used on E-Bay I never should have bought new at West Marine. Give it a real good scrub inside and out, get a PFD, flares, a sleeping bag, some throwable cushions, a chart book, a radio and GO SAILING!

[Fox]

I like the way you think SkipperJer, I really intend on doing just that. There are a few projects that I really do want to at least get under way though. The deck hardware re-bedding for instance. I purposefully picked the Ariel as my first boat because all I have read about it has been positive. My original fist choice was the Triton, but they seem to be harder to come by, and honestly the extra 2 feet isnt really going to make much of a difference to me. I cant wait to get her to NH and in the water, the fish and the whales are a callin lol. There is just something about the sea that seems to draw me in, I guess it may have something to do with practically growing up in a canoe. Some of the best times of my life have been just poking around in a boat.

[c_amos]

Fox,

Congrats on your new boat! I can personally attest that she is the perfect Bahamas boat! My wife and I cruised aboard 'Faith' (Ariel #226) for 8 months. They are just about perfect as long as you do not subscribe to 'Sail' magazine and think you need a built in breadmaker, and a walk in closet.

One of the best things about these boats is the devoted group of owners (cult-like as they are) that is the Ariel Owners Association. I really recommend you join, and get a manual. There is a TON of knowledge here, and the initiation is really not that bad...

[SkipperJer]

If there's no deck rot around the fittings now you might consider leaving them alone. Unless there is an obvious problem they are not likely to go soon. Go sailing.

[mbd]

That's some more good advice. Unless you have leaks or immediate repairs are needed, start getting her ready to sail. Because once you start "one little project", it has a tendency to lead to another, then another , then another...

[jojito]

As one first timer to another I strongly advise you to invest as little as possible in time and money right now. Do just enough to get the boat out on the water safely and sail it as much as you can. My perspective on what my boat needed changed drastically as I discovered what I enjoyed most about sailing. The boat will sail just fine with dull paint and no varnish. Old sails will get you out there. Rebuilding an Atomic 4 is a great winter project but for now borrow an outboard or buy a used one that you can resell later. I've sold a lot of things used on E-Bay I never should have bought new at West Marine. Give it a real good scrub inside and out, get a PFD, flares, a sleeping bag, some throwable cushions, a chart book, a radio and GO SAILING!

YES YES YES! I bought 282 (Panacea) for next to nothing last fall. Since, I got the safety gear and painted 3/4 of the bottom - and that's about it! Don't be shy about sailing her! It's the only way to learn and the BEST way to enjoy your boat. From one new sailor to another - FAIR WINDS!

[Fox]

Well, bad news on the engine front It seems that the engine is seized up good. I pulled the plugs and 2 of the spark plugs were rusting away. I think I am just going to pull the engine out, I really wasn't to keen on having a gas inboard anyhow. The question is, should I pull the engine now before she is launched, or just leave it till next haul out. I am a bit concerned that the weight of the engine, plus the outboard hanging off the back may be a bit much. Anyone know what it would run to buy a decent diesel to put in instead of the a4? On a better note, I have the electrical pretty much sorted out, the bilge pump works, though there is no way to turn it on except the "auto mode" the radio works now, one of the contacts for the fuse was corroded, so a bit of sand paper fixed that, the cabin light over the chart table works, the marker lights work, though I seem to be missing the bow light. Anyone know what sort of bulbs to put in the cabin light fixtures, it looks like a regular 110v bulb holder, but I dont think I have an inverter on the boat, unless its hidden some were.