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I have my 1966 Arial Too Contagious for sale in Marine City, Michigan (small town 60 miles north of Detroit).  Currently stored inside at the marina.  It has a custom cradle.  Overall, hull is in great shape.  Has a 10 hp diesel inboard, more sails than you would know what to do with.  The ones I've used are in excellent shape.

Ideally, I would suggest a sail up St. Clair River, into Lake Huron.  A great sail up the eastern shores of Lake Huron, and then finally down the western shores of Lake Michigan.  A LOT more fun than trailering it.

Decking at the bow pulpit is soft on the port side, but pretty easy to redo in a week.  (Side deck was repaired from the cabin and it came out great.)  Engine probably will need some work.

Here are a few pics, but pretty messy since it is in winter storage.

North of Detroit one hour.  Small town of Marine City, on St. Clair River.

Very good condition boat.  Has always been in fresh water, up north, as best I know, so only sailed for 4 or so months a year.  I've owned this boat since 1994.  I think there have only been 4 owners.  Boat has more sails than you would know what to do with, from spinnaker, to a pretty new fully batten main.  I think there are about 6-10 jibs, the old main, etc.  All hank on.  All very, very good condition.

Inboard 10 horsepower, 2 cylinder volvo penta diesel.  New stuffing box.

Knot meter, depth, distance combo;  compass, autopilot.

Custom steel cradle.

I'm only selling it because I'm located in TX and the boat is in MI.

Issues:  one soft spot on port fore deck at bow pilot.  Engine MAY have to be rebuilt soon.  Was starting to smoke a little.

Looks to be in good shape.  Interior needs update, but looks structurally sound.  Hull #159

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/boa/5090119090.html

If you are still looking for an Ariel, email me.  I have one up the St. Clair River, sitting in a cradle.  It hasn't been sailed for a few years, but it is in good condition.  I've done the Georgian Bay trip quite a few times, North Channel once, and quite a few trips up both the Michigan and Canadian coasts of Lake Huron.

I've used the harbor freight silver tarps for years.  they have them 1/2 off at least once a year.  in Michigan, they last for 2 winters.  I've considered getting the canvas ones from them to see if they would last longer, but  haven't gotten around to it yet.

some older boats (Venture for one, predecessor to MacGreggor) had what I called sail slugs that fit into a U shaped slot on the mast.  having used both, I don't see a lot of difference.  as long as you have it well waxed, either works well.

I noticed the stern of my boat is about 2" lower than earlier in the season.  it could because of the 10' of heavy anchor chain in the farthest stern area of the stern lazerette, the lack of water in the tank, or the evil keel void full of water.  did anyone notice a shift in their water line?  the bow is about the same amount higher, so I'm leaning (maybe just praying) that the chain and water tank are the reasons.

I'm getting frustrated with the water coming into the cockpit from the rudder post bearing - when under power only.  It seems my current one is bronze, and this "new fangled one" is some modern age plastic.

The two questions I have are:

will the new fangled one solve this issue?
will it fit my 1966 Ariel?
will it last?  (were you counting)

Thanks,
Dale

I had to write this up to explain to my wife why I didn't call her that evening.   The good thing about writing it up immediately is I didn't really have time to "color it up."  I find it interesting to go back and think through what were the good decisions and what were the bad ones - so I can continue to improve my adverse condition decisioning.  On this trip, I've decided I should have just tied up to the spare docks and waited for them to try to kick me off.  Don't think they would have done it, given the bad weather.

I suggest others try it (doing a write up).  I think it has made me a better sailor.

One other lesson is take care of the boat in the good times and the boat will take care of you in the bad.

I started wearing one this year.  it has taken some time to get used to, but now that I have used it for over a month, I won't go without again.  makes me feel a lot better when I'm up on the foredeck and the autopilot is going.  Up here on the Great Lakes, you will probably die in under 2 hour due to hyperthermia.  A PFD won't save you if you are 10 miles out.

I recently met a sailor in Lion's Head, Ontario, Canada with some lightning experience.

I don't agree with his sentiments, but he is speaking from experience.  He has been hit 3 times!  First time there were 2 strikes on each side of his boat and it blew a hole in the side.  Second was on the hard without the mast up! And the 3rd time was in a harbor.

He sure had his reasons for not worrying.  If I had that his luck, I'm not sure I would get on the boat.  I did ask where he slipped his boat, so I could be near, but not too near.  

Really makes me wonder about my tactics.  I normally try to get into a harbor, or at least near land so my mast isn't the only thing around for miles and miles.

As the proud owner of a 1966 Pearson Ariel (#392), I recently encountered the kind of weather that makes you glad they built these boats strong.

Some background:  I decided to take advantage of a unique opportunity to spend the summer sailing my boat around the Great Lakes, primarily Lake Huron including the North Channe and Georgian Bay.  Since the last week in June, I have battled engine problems and some severe weather - but nothing like a recent leg from Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada to Meaford, Ontario.
 
Winds were strong out of the NW 20, waves were forecasted for 4-6 feet.  No storms, just a lot of wind and waves.  Since I wanted to go SW, I decided to take the inside passage via the small craft route through the 30,000 islands area (that is pretty protected from Georgian Bay) and head down to San Souci, and Henry's (and institution in the area).   Then the following day  I would get to open waters in nicer weather (according to the forecast).

As planned, I headed out at 1:30 for a 3 hour cruise (really is 3 hours) to Henry's Fish Restaurant.  (in the middle of the night, I kept singing that song as I sailed over the waves.  Couldn't get it out of my head!)  Protected waters, so the strong winds and waves weren't an issue.  Today, as forecasted, they have moderated.

Got there and they were full up.  No dockage available.  Circled around for a while trying to decide what to do.  I didn't want to anchor out or I would miss the phone call.  Plus most of it is all huge rocks – an anchor won't have anything to grab onto.  Decided to head for Penetanguishene, Ontario.  Figured it was protected waters when I was half there (from islands, peninsulas)

Started that way and I couldn't see the buoys – really important since there are a LOT of rocks just below the surface.  And the waves were pretty bad since that 3 mile stretch is open to Georgian Bay – and the winds and waves were from that direction (NW).  Turned around and went back to Fryingpan Island (where Henry's is located).  Cruised around looking at alternate dockage or anchoring.  Started to go into the place next door, but they had big signs saying do no dock here.  Decided again to head out, but made sure I had a good heading to stay within the buoys.  Put on my Mustang jacket.

Had a few hairy moments when the winds and waves were not helping me keep the boat between 2 buoys only about 2 boats wide – and big rocks on one side if the boat got pushed by the waves too much.  But no issues.

Got to the area that opens to Georgian Bay.  A passing boat (the only one I had seen for last hour) didn't recommend I head out, but they didn't have any idea on where a good anchorage is located.  That didn't help much.

Headed out about 6:00 pm.  Evening forecast was for the waves to back down to 2-4 feed and winds 10-15.  Unfortunately, the forecast was wrong.  Winds were 25 and the waves were 6, then 8, and then I think at least 10.  Largest waves I've battled.  I literally was powering up a wave with the stern in the trough.  And they weren't nicely spaced rollers or coming from only one direction.  After 3 miles it continued to get worse and I considered going back, but it was only a little more (5 miles) before I figured I would get to more protected waters.  And I was a little concerned about trying to get back into the very narrow channel with the wind and waves.  I was pretty nervous with the waves cresting over near the bow and an off wave getting me from the side.  Had one good wave over the cabin, and a few smaller ones, but I must say, I did damn good.  And only had a few that got me from the side.

It was getting a little past sunset when I came to the area where I needed to change heading to get between, and behind, the islands, but due to the waves and not knowing the area that well at night, I wasn't comfortable trying to make it between the island since there are shoals all around them.  Decided to head for Meaford.  It was on the heading I was on, 32 miles away.  It was 9:00 pm.  Nearly a full moon so I could see the waves.  I called and set up an hourly check in with the coast guard.  Figured if something happened I might not get a chance to call in with a good location.

At sunset the winds and waves picked up.  Luckily, after an hour past sunset they backed down again.  Started to see mostly 6'ers and only occasional 8'+ and winds were probably 15 with occasion gusts to 20.  It then became a long, tiring motor.  Only complication was when I wanted to get into the harbor.  Their navigation lights are out! And the moon was hidden behind clouds (that had been occurring on and off all evening).  I could see the masts, so I knew I was in the right place, so I motored parallel to the break wall until I could see their little (imitation) light house.  Hoped I was in the right spot and turned in.  Got it right and motored into a slip.  Arriving 14 hours later – 3:30 am.  Got to bed at 4:30.

That took a lot of the sailing out of me.  Not sure if I'll want to go out tomorrow.  Good thing is I won't be sailing for a week.  That should allow me to recover some.

Boat really did great.  Shows it can handle the big stuff.  And the engine ran like clockwork.  Good thing!  I was thinking I normally end up with one sail like that one, just not as bad.  I hope I've now got my one out of the way.

My Ariel tracks fantastic, no weather helm.  In fact, that is what I like about the design so much.  My former boat was a challenge to steer when the winds picked up. The rudder is original, so I think your issue is the tuning of the rig,  not the rudder.

I considered hauling my Ariel about a year ago.  The cost worked out to $1/mile, In my case, that was $1200.

I got my quote from someone listed at:
 http://www.by-the-sea.com/