FS: Pearson Vanguard at City Island

[Ariel 109]

This summer I had a bit of a Hobson's choice between deciding on getting my Ariel or another available boat, a Rhodes designed Pearson Vanguard. The Vanguard is still available and can be purchased for under a thousand dollars. It's currently floating at a mooring nearby my Ariel at City Island. It has no engine or rudder but the sails and rigging seem to all be there as well as the interior. Overall the boat seems to be pretty good shape, the decks feel very solid, everything looks robust and she's rumored to have circumnavigated. Still there's a ton of work needed here.

If you're interested she can be easily seen, moored on the south side of the City Island bridge. I'll try next time I'm up to take pictures. You can PM me and I can explain other details. I have no monetary involvement with this boat and I'm just helping out.

Ben

[Ariel 109]

Here's a picture of the Vanguard. It's a lot like a large Ariel. I have more if anyone's interested.

Ben

[Ariel 109]

Alright more pictures.

[Rico]

Lovely boat!
I've only seen a few of these Vanguards. I especially like the roller furling boom. Those fittings are pretty, even if no longer used as roller furling... It is not advisable to get hit on the noggin' by that sort of heavy boom!

[mbd]

Those are beautiful sailboats. Makes me sad. That fine vessel was obviously well loved at some point.

What's that winch for in the back of the cockpit - spinnaker?

I like those flip-up sinks for the head too. Clever space savers.

[Ariel 109]

Went out and checked up on the Vanguard. This boat's amazing, dry as a bone inside. We started cleaning out the accumulated junk aboard her. Should have some better pictures of her condition in the next few weeks.

Ben

[CapnK]

Notice the vertical wood holders for portlight shutters on the cabin trunk? Bet the old gal has some miles under her keel, and stories to go with 'em, if her owner needed to install those. Ben - if it's easy, could you shoot some closer-up details shots of those? It looks like a solution I had pondered... If not, no biggy.

Good on ya, too, for helping to find her a home, and looking after her in the meanwhile.

[Ariel 109]

Sorry for the wait! Here are some shots of the portlight shutters. The slightly trapezoid boards wedge into the mounted grooves to stay in place. And lastly the Vanguard is still available. Nobody has even come out to look her over. I guess everybody's too busy playing video games!

Ben

[ebb]

Pearsonvanguard.org seems to be an active site. Maybe someone there can be alerted. There is a Commander page there also.

To me the Vanguard, 33'X 9.25'X 4.50' has the look of a sixties fiberglass yacht. The accommodations are a little narrow and there is a pronounced dip in the sheer which imco dates the design. Nothing 'wrong' with that. Has to be a new owner that appreciates Vanguard's place in fiberglass history. If the Vanguard's proportions were related to the Ariel, the Ariel would have a beam of 7.25', instead of 8'.

Now if you went along side the Vanguard with your Commander or Ariel, I think they would seem a little more timeless. And I think that is because A/Cs have an as-built STRAIGHT SHEER. Nobody here on this site has explained this phenomenon because The Alberg plans we have in the Manual show a modest curvey sheer!

If that Vanguard were an Ariel I'd bet she would have found a new skipper already.
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The Vanguard is a Phillip Rhodes design. 404 were built within the same time zone as the Alberg Ariel/Commander. Afetr Alberg and Rhodes I guess Shaw became Pearson's inhouse designer.
But it certainly looks like the same methods were used by Pearson in all their boats of the time.
No matter the designer, the same good stuff about these fiberglass boats will appear - and the same bad stuff.

[ericaW]

Am I reading this correctly...is the asking price a typo (under 1k?)

[Ariel 109]

Yes, not a typo. You just need to give it a good home. It has nice sails and cushions!

[Ariel 109]

I cleaned below decks on the Vanguard, not too bad. What happen to all the Joshual Slocums? Put her into one of City's Island's summer empty boatyards, get the bottom painted, build a rudder, put an outboard on her and sail away. Big enough to live on. Doesn't look like a Nike sneaker or a pumped up conversion van like most of todays water craft.

[Ariel 109]

Happy to report I found a buyer for the Vanguard. Good luck Joe!

[Ariel 109]

Well after four years of sitting year round on her old mooring the "The Merry Way" was pulled today at City Island's venerable Barron's Boatyard. We knew she was missing her rudder and were unsure of the condition or existence of her rudder shoe. Happy to report it's all there and in good shape including the lower rudder shaft the Mike "Big Bird" found in a pile of junk over at the Harlem Yacht Club.

I love the hand painted lettering and flourishes on her transom.