Recently found 1966 Ariel for sale in Maryland at Young's Boatyard. Pics available at their website. Asking $7OOO. I called the yard and they told me the boat was "reconditioned" which included epoxy barrier coat, Trinidad bottom paint, repair of core rot limited to chainplates and stanchions (epoxy), primer followed by one part poly on topsides and deck. Interior painted with poly. Boat has porta-pottie, and supposedly very good sails. Has anyone seen this boat in person or can give me their thoughts on this boat. If I bought this boat I would have a survey done but it would be an "out of sight" buy.
Thanks,
Marcelo
Hull number 417 does not ring a bell, sure looks nice in the pictures though.
http://www.youngsboatyard.com/boatsforsale.html
(http://www.youngsboatyard.com/boatsforsale/PearsonAriel_001.jpg)
(http://www.youngsboatyard.com/boatsforsale/PearsonAriel_009.JPG)
(http://www.youngsboatyard.com/boatsforsale/PearsonAriel_008.JPG)
This boat is in my yard. It has been reconditioned by the yard owner who has done at least two Ariels, possibly three. It's as clean as it looks and the work is solid. He owns and races another Ariel about 3 slips from this one that looks just as good (Sea Horse). He's given me some awfully good advice about how to care for my Commander.
The previous owner of this boat is my neighbor. He had taken good care of the boat before becoming involved in other pastimes. The boat was solid but un-used. it had gotten awfully dirty but as you can see from the photos, that's been taken care of. There was a lot of work to do but that's typical of any boat built in the 60's. Nothing was drastic.
If it were me I wouldn't bother with a survey. You were talking on the phone to the yard owner and the guy who did the work. Ask around at the yard or anywhere in the Patapsco River sailing community. There's nobody more trustworthy. If there's a flaw, he'll tell you. I'm sure if you ask he'll take you through everything he did to the boat.
Send me a private message if you want to talk. If you're out there look south from where this is docked to the next pier. Mine is the Natty Boh't in the last slip by the creek.
The boat was previously named "Starbuck". Don't know if it ever got registered.