I'm the new caretaker of Ariel-109

**Ariel 109** · 09-22-2011 02:12 PM

Went over to Long Island City and investigated the "Urban Commander". Found out she is owned a gentleman named Duke Riley. The man has a Wikipedia page, a celebrity! Can there be more than one Duke Riley around theses part? Peter, the owner of one of the neighboring vessels reports that the "Urban Commander" is taken out for sails and is cared for. No hull plate visible.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_Riley

**Bill** · 09-22-2011 04:25 PM

The Pearson mfg plate is visible in the last photo. It's in the center of the bridge deck just aft of the companionway. Hull number should be on it. NY133LD appears to be the state reg #. And, you have a skipper name, so only the hull number remains unknown. Hopefully, you can board her for a look . . .

**Ariel 109** · 09-22-2011 05:33 PM

Drats!!! Good eye Bill. I was looking for the mfg plate to be on the lazarette bulkhead, were my Ariel's was at one time. I will once again journey forth and venture to Long Island City to ascertained the "Urban Commander's" hull number.

What's kind of cool is that these motley boats are pioneering the rebirth of yachting on the East River. Long ago the best New York sand-baggers were built and raced nearby. And the yacht America was built directly across the river it what's now called the East Village.

**Lucky Dawg** · 09-22-2011 06:47 PM

Interesting companionway doors. Like the bell, but I wonder about it clanging away under sail!

Great videos above. Thanks for posting.

From the Wikipedia link above - this is the kind of charachter we need on this forum! "In 2009 he constructed four ships for the purpose of staging a Naumachia, a Roman-style gladiatorial sea battle staged for an audience. Riley's Naumachia, entitled, Those About to Die Salute You, was staged at the Queens Museum of Art in a reflecting pool left over from the 1964 World's Fair that was filled with 70,000 gallons of water for the occasion.^{[SIZE=2][5][/SIZE]} Since the weapons were baguette and tomatoes, and the audience as well as the warriors dressed in period costume, Artnet described the event as something between a Toga party and fraternity food fight.^{[SIZE=2][[/SIZE]"}

**Ariel 109** · 10-05-2011 03:40 PM

Here's some shots the Photoboat.com people took of Noesis (Ariel 109) this past Sunday. They were photographing a J-80 regatta and came out and took some shots of me while I sailed past. Really nice day which included sailing nearby a 70 foot plus maxi-boat reeling out her giant light blue gennaker, wow! The noises that boat made were prehistoric.

http://www.photoboatgallery.net/p104...ba2f7#h47ba2f7

I still do not yet know the number of the "Urban Commander". I emailed the owner and received no reply. The way those boats are moored on Newtown creek makes it difficult to get aboard to read the builder's plate, a long leap.

**mbd** · 10-05-2011 06:08 PM

Ben - those are some great pics! The third one, straight from the bow almost makes the boat look "beamy"! I think my favorite is the last one: the captain at the helm scooting right along, Noesis unmistakably across the stern, and the city skyline in the background. Obviously a great day for sailing!

PS. Egads!!! I just saw the prices...

**Lucky Dawg** · 10-05-2011 06:11 PM

Wow! Those are some crisp clean pearly white sails. I'm jealous! Great pictures - love the last one in the series.

**Ariel 109** · 10-06-2011 03:04 AM

Thanks you guys! It was a beautiful day for sailing. The distant cityscape of Manhattan has that Land of Oz / Emerald City quality from this perspective.

In that last shot they took you can see the new 1 WTC rising just above my port side coaming, right at the winch. Pretty exciting to see it finally rising after all these years. I'd guess it's about a third of the way up right now.

And yes I'm so lucky to have those sails, they came with the boat. They've been well cared for in the past. The Main is by Doyle and the jib dates earlier and is by Hild. Doyle bought out Hild here on City Island at some point. I know I'm always bragging about my vintage Ratsey and Lapthorn spinnaker but again, what a beautiful example of craft of the sail maker.

**Commander 147** · 10-06-2011 05:45 AM

Hi Ben

I just saw your pictures. They really are good pictures. And your sails do really look good. The other thing I noticed is Noesis was sitting very well on her lines and looked well balanced. A very pretty sight indeed. Good to see you enjoying her.

**Ariel 109** · 10-06-2011 11:08 AM

Thanks Jerry.

With the S-boat racing season winding down I'm getting more chances to take Noesis out sailing. I love the balance the boat now has, a pleasure to sail. The Ariel been a great teacher for me.

Ben

**Ariel 109** · 10-23-2011 08:13 AM

Second time sailing Noesis' spinnaker. We started this run directly downwind but the constantly changing winds of Eastchester bay had us in a reach by the time I took this video. For a time we were really flying. This is a nice relaxing video clip.