When I was living in the Bay Area in 2002, I had the idea of getting back into sailing. While looking for a small boat that I could single-hand, I saw an ad for an Ariel, and I even remember looking on this website for info (though I didn't register then). I liked the idea of a sturdy and steady boat for the San Francisco Bay, and I liked her lines, so I went for a test sail.
I didn't look for the hull number, but from the pictures here, I'm fairly certain it was the same one. The depth sounder, the drawers, battery under the berth, and the water fixture on the foredeck all look familiar. And I remember the light blue anti-slip deck which had a soft spot. What looks new is the extra V-berth insert and the trash door. Also, I don't remember so much mold on the deck, it looks like she hasn't sailed much since then.
The boat was in Sausalito at the time, and the owner's name was Lance. He was a young lawyer from the city who just bought a steel boat to sail around the world instead of trying to make partner right away. I remember he also had a Land Rover that wasn't much younger than the Ariel, so I knew he had good taste in vehicles. I assume he was the previous previous owner, meaning that the PO didn't have it for very long.
I passed up my chance to buy it because I was hoping to get him to come down the cost of a haul-out. Maybe I just didn't know the true value of an Ariel. Having since moved to Hawaii, I wonder if I would've dared to sail her here (stories anyone?--just found Eric's, well done). Anyways, I'm thinking of getting out on the water again, and I'm lurking here because that Ariel is the closest I've been to owning a boat. I never thought I'd see her again, so I had to register and share my story.
I didn't look for the hull number, but from the pictures here, I'm fairly certain it was the same one. The depth sounder, the drawers, battery under the berth, and the water fixture on the foredeck all look familiar. And I remember the light blue anti-slip deck which had a soft spot. What looks new is the extra V-berth insert and the trash door. Also, I don't remember so much mold on the deck, it looks like she hasn't sailed much since then.
The boat was in Sausalito at the time, and the owner's name was Lance. He was a young lawyer from the city who just bought a steel boat to sail around the world instead of trying to make partner right away. I remember he also had a Land Rover that wasn't much younger than the Ariel, so I knew he had good taste in vehicles. I assume he was the previous previous owner, meaning that the PO didn't have it for very long.
I passed up my chance to buy it because I was hoping to get him to come down the cost of a haul-out. Maybe I just didn't know the true value of an Ariel. Having since moved to Hawaii, I wonder if I would've dared to sail her here (stories anyone?--just found Eric's, well done). Anyways, I'm thinking of getting out on the water again, and I'm lurking here because that Ariel is the closest I've been to owning a boat. I never thought I'd see her again, so I had to register and share my story.