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... to Mr. Jeremy Wilson of North Carolina, who saw my ad on this forum. He moved it to the Outer Banks in late July / early August. We adjusted the price because of soft spots on the deck -- when he got Dulcimer to dry dock and lifted the deck, he saw that the whole deck core was rotting out! I had kinda suspected this, which was why I let her go so cheap; I didn't have the time to put into replacing the deck core, but Jeremy does. Apart from that, she's a sweet craft. Hope he'll be posting here himself soon.

After months of advertising Dulcimer with no bites, the day after I accepted Jeremy's offer, I got another offer from a neighbor! Your inquiry comes just days after that. That's the way it goes, I guess; but Dulcimer (formerly Parlay, soon to have yet another name) is in the best of hands.

re: old diesel fuel -- I decided to take no chances, and had a roving mechanic pump out the old fuel from my Hunter and put in new. Also realigned the prop shaft, replaced some cables, replaced some thru-hulls, etc. After six months sitting at the marina, I finally painted the bottom and had it put in two days ago -- then spent a nervous twenty minutes with two different batteries when it cranked but wouldn't catch. Finally did, though, and I took it to my marina with no problems.

Good luck, Pearson people!
     Jim Buchman

Hi,

I've listed Dulcimer in the local papers. Price is now $2800.

See ya,
Jim

Hi Kurt,

Thanks much for the advice! I decided not to take chances, and had the old fuel pumped out and replaced. Engine needed a few other things done. plus the bilge pump was shot, plus ... I'm starting to miss Dulcimer already :-)

Speaking of which -- at last, the pictures! I have a stern shot, a picture of the little electric water pump, and two of the custom cabinets we had put in. Tom also put in a pedastal for a table, but it was so bulky that we rarely used it.

Hasta la vista!
Jim Buchman

Hey,

My program manager at work saw me with a batch of pictures last week and said, "You still use film?" Indeed I do -- I'm cruel to cameras and watches, so the former are cheap and the latter are waterproof.

All this is to say that the pictures I took this weekend must wait to come back from Kodak until I can post them. One Ariel looks a lot like the next, so I concentrated on the unique features. The water pump is just a little thing under the sink, which has neither received nor required a minute's maintenance from myself or Tom since we bought Dulcimer. The bilge pump just uses a removable straight handle which you pump up and down while seated on the port side of the cockpit; it empties out the stern. I think the most attactive feature are the cabinets built into the main cabin.

Quick question about diesel: I've never owned a boat which used a diesel engine. The former owner of Dreamcatcher, my 27' Hunter, says that the fuel has been in the tank since May of last year, and that he put stabilizer in it at the time. Is it safe for me to run the engine, should I add more stabilizer, or would it be safest just to pump out the old fuel and replace it?

Thanks much,
Jim Buchman

The boat is at our community dock in Severna Park, near Annapolis, Md. Have upgraded to a new boat (well, a 1980 Hunter -- my growing family has requirements for headroom and an eclosed head. ) So, with great regret, I must let Dulcimer go. I've had her for 16 years and sailed her every one of them, with a 4 - 14 day cruise with my brothers every July 4. Sleeps 4 comfortably if you don't bring too much junk, as all Ariel lovers should know. My favorite feature, which I'm going to miss, is being able to access the ice box from the cockpit. :-D

Main was cut in 1992; two jibs, spinnaker. 1994 Honda 8hp 4-stroke w/alternator, well maintained. VHF, 26 gal fresh water tank w/electric pump, manual bilge pump with crank in cockpit, swim ladder, bow and stern pulpits. Bottom was painted in 2003, so she's due. Two inspections since I've had her, in 1988 and 1995, which resulted in upgrades to the electrical system.

I used to co-own Dulcimer with another member of this forum, Tom Mitchell. We removed the head and glassed in its thru-hulls to avoid even the temptation to discharge into the Bay. Had cabinets built in aft cabin when we bought her, greatly increases storage space.

$3,200. Reply to me or call 443-618-2594 if interested. I'd love to pass her on to someone who appreciates her qualities!

Jim Buchman