I have a 1965 Atomic 4 Engine in my 1965 Ariel and I am being encouraged by my restoration crew to replace it with a new or rebuilt Yanmar. I plan to use my Ariel mostly as a day sailer but I am doing a full (and very expensive) restoration of the deck, hull, bottom and interior. I know, it sounds crazy but i promise it will make any Pearson Ariel owner proud. I am restoring it in my father's honor as he bought this boat in 1967 (the year I was born) and I literally grew up on this boat and discovered sailing. He is 83 and gave me the boat for Christmas in 2012. Gift or project? I joke. I am proud to be the next owner and I am excited about restoring it to it's glory.

Anyway, what would you do? Get the A4 running or bite the bullet and replace it with a diesel Yanmar. Cost does matter but I don't look forward to wanting to sail and having the A4 not start.

Thank you for your opinions!

James Miller