I'm the new caretaker of Ariel-109

[Ariel 109]

Finally started on installing the bronze window / light frames on #109. Removed two of the aluminum frames sets on the boat. Brought them back to the shop to mate them up with the four bronze frames I got from Trader John Chandlery. At the shop I discovered the two types of frames were slightly different in size, drats!!! I set about solving this annoying dilemma by cutting the bronze frames, bending the curve slightly and welding them to nearly the same size as the original aluminum frames. They came out nice in the end, oh well. Still need to be finished and polished. Need to go find some abrasion resistant plexiglass acrylic for the new lights next.

[Bill]

See page 31 in the manual for a discussion of early vs later window frames.

[Ariel 109]

Thanks Bill, guess it's time to join up and reap the rewards of membership. Although ignorance can be bliss. If I had known the frames were different sizes I would have likely not started this project.

Sanded out the bronze frames with 150 grit sandpaper, and a foam sanding pad on a polisher. Best to use a slow speed and short burst of power. Next stop buffing wheel.

[Tony G]

Hicarumba! you do great work. I wouldn't know they'd been through surgury if I hadn't seen it. Nice polisher too.

[Ariel 109]

Thanks Tony!

I'm trying to get the deadlights done and move onto some other projects. Promised myself that #109 would sail the Wednesday night races at City Island this summer, they start up second week of May. I seem to have a crew lined up. Should be interesting, although we will be sailing quite a different course then the modern racing boats that are the majority in this series.

Ben

[Commander 147]

Ben

You are good with metal or wood. I can only claim some minor talent with wood. I wish I had your skills with the metal working. Ariel 109 can be darn thankful she has you to care for her. Like Tony I am impressed with your work on the lite frames as much as he is. Nice job.

[jshisha]

Ben if your are looking for crew during the week at City Island, I would love to join you. Drinks are on me at the Crab Shack

[Ariel 109]

Thanks Jerry! I gained my metalworking skills came mostly unintentionally. Really an outgrowth of customers requests and keeping work in shop. Many great books, videos, websites and workshops are available today for learning metalworking, mostly thanks to the custom car and motorcycle enthusiasts. When I started 18 years ago the only information I could find was from old industrial arts textbooks, which were incredibly dry and not very helpful. Here's a link to my metalworking hero Ron Fournier site. His "Metal Fabricator's Handbook" I think is the best introduction to metalwork out there!

http://www.fournierenterprises.com/

Jake, it would be great to have you along racing on #109 this summer. Can you PM me your contact information?

Ben

[Ariel 109]

Mission accomplished, new windows installed. Reused the aluminum frames on the inside, bronze frames on the outside. Strange to be able to look out of these windows, the old ones being so crazed.



I'm sure the bronze will be well on the way to turning green next time I get up to the boat. One day I'm going to have to paint this boat.








Got this new depth sounder, trying to figure out how to wire it up.

[mbd]

Got this new depth sounder, trying to figure out how to wire it up.

Ha! You should put a BIG 3'7" flag on there!

So, did you install the deadlights by yourself?? What did you use seal them? Did you just tap new screw holes in your "new" bronze frames?

[Ariel 109]

Mike, of course I did the work myself, didn't win the Mega Millions!

Used several rolls of a grey butyl tape, purchased at an rv-trailer suppy, to seal the windows and frames. Certainly an easier method than using a tubed sealant.

First I welded shut the old screw holes on the the bronze frames, they didn't match the aluminum frames. Then I drilled and tapped the bronze frames to match the holes with the interior aluminum frames. Making a blind hole tap thread in bronze is not too hard if you are careful.

[mbd]

Mike, of course I did the work myself, didn't win the Mega Millions!

Used several rolls of a grey butyl tape, purchased at an rv-trailer suppy, to seal the windows and frames. Certainly an easier method than using a tubed sealant.

Ben, I just meant "on your own", i.e without a helping hand. Not sure how you could do it otherwise! My sailing buddy volunteered to help me - he's cheap, I just pay him with beer and a sail... And yes, the tubed sealant is quite messy! I'm looking forward to using butyl tape this time around on my stanchions.

[Ariel 109]

The nice thing about using the butyl tape is that you don't need to find a local layabout to help. Stick the window in the frame, stick the frame on the cabin and run down below and gently start attaching the inside frames.

[Rico]

Got this new depth sounder, trying to figure out how to wire it up.

Hey Ben, You obviously do not know what you have there! - That depth sounder is not hard wired to the boat. It is one of those new-fangled battery powered ones. A fresh set of AA's will get it working right away! I can tell by the digital-display ribbon markers!
(You have the fancy model - mine just feels for the bottom - it has no markings!)

AND Very Nice work on the windows. They provide not a clue as to the skillful work that went into them... (A sign of good workmanship!)

[Lucky Dawg]

Hey Ben,
Any particular brand or size of butyl tape you used? My sealing job last summer was a miserable failure. We bashed around in fall waves on Lake Michigan - water squirting through the window frames - to the extent that Sadie and Lucas were certain we were sinking. I have some work to do. So if I remove it all, what do I do with the silicone remnants? I have a silicone removing wash that I used pre-paint, but I (MOST ASSUREDLY dont want to screw up my paint job!!) Details on the tape would be great!

Speaking of: Hey Bill! What is the story on the hatch gaskets?