Cape Horn in a Electra

[Mike Goodwin]

I knew Bill Lapworth personally , he is a hell of a nice guy and a great designer .
My employer of 15 years ago was his next door neighbor  , my pal Tony Sota , does the varnish on his boats .

[Scott Galloway]

Actually, John Vigor referred to the Triton as " A Worthy Son of Neptune, but he also wrote,

"...and while it would be wonderful  if a fairy could wave her magic wand and make the sidedecks wider, it isn't going to happen except in your dreams. About all you can say of them is that they're manageable.  You might also wish that if the fairy could spare a second wave of her wand, something aestheric would happen to the doghouse, that upward step in the coach roof. It's more likely, however, that her wand would short out, or blow a transistor, when faced with a task of such magnitude"  

--from "Twenty Small Boats to Take You Anywhere" by John Vigor. You just have to keep a copy of that book around the house.

Cool contact to have Mike. And by the way Mr. Lapworth did design a great little boat and an enduring plastic classic in the Gladiator. They clean up nicely and look great under sail: One of the best looking flat tops around... Great hull. There were three of them on my dock, until recently. Now there are two.

[mbd]

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Vigor, in that book, describe the Triton as "the Ariel's big, ugly brother"?

"E", You keep that talk up and you'll get yourself banned from certain forums.  

And I just gotta add a couple of pennies here: as to the John Vigor quote - I wholeheartedly disagree!!  I'll concede the side-decks - maybe, but I happen to really really like "the doghouse, that upward step in the coach roof" on our Ariels and Tritons, and the Vanguard too. I think it really sets our boats apart aesthetically (in a good way). This is one instance where I think our boats sacrifice function for form. But it's a worthy sacrifice.

I just don't much care for the "flat top" boats.  And I was docked next to a beautifully restored and beautiful Cape Dory 27 this summer. A comparable Alberg hull, but with the "standard" cabin with the same height for and aft. Whenever I would turn around as I was leaving, I'd look at my boat, then the CD and think, "No contest. I bought the right boat."  I think the lines of our Pearsons are waaaaayyyyy more graceful...

[dasein668]

Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Vigor, in that book, describe the Triton as "the Ariel's big, ugly brother"?

John certainly has a way with words... he posts quite frequently on the Cape Dory board...

What, exactly, "that way with words" is, is debatable however!

 

[CapnK]

Mike - Yeah, I'm surprised that there has been no response to that from certain "classic plastic" people. Darn! It was all in fun, and I think they know that. Superficially there is very little difference in how the Ariel and the Triton look, so the comment was made with tongue firmly in cheek. Pot calling the kettle black and all that.

I'd read what Vigor had to say about the Triton and, IIRC, the Bristol 27 was in that book as well, right? Also the Albin Vega. These boats all fit the requirements of what I was looking for in almost every way. The Triton and the Ariel stood out from the B27 and the AV in no small manner because of the quality of the owners groups/websites, and the restorations I'd seen done on them.

I looked hard at the AV based on recommendations of several very experienced long-term and -distance sailors I know (one who has 3 circumnavigations under his belt), but I just couldn't get a warm feeling going for the AV like I do when I see the Triton, B27, or Ariel. I'm sure the AV is a fine boat in its own right, but I don't think I'd turn around for a look every time I walked away like I do with the Ariel. The lines Alberg drew are just so graceful, so right, so... well, you know. (/me preaches to the choir...)

I'm with Mike - I feel differently from the reviewers who say the stepped house detracts from these boats lines. I think it adds something, besides plain functionality. I see a *lot* of boats coming through the marina, and few look as good as ours do.

So do, evidently, many other non-reviewer people. This summer, post-sail one day, I was motoring through the anchorage over by Front Street. There was a *gorgeous* 45-50' classic looking gaff-rigged ketch there, low, sleek, lots of brightwork agleam, a great example of the traditionally wood boat, with 3 people on deck. She was pretty enough that I circled around her to take a long look. When I yelled "She's pretty!" to the deck people, they yelled back "So is yours!", and you could tell they meant it, after they repeated it several times, and asked what kind of a boat Katie Marie is.

Edit: As soon as I posted this, I see what Nathan wrote.

[commanderpete]

Well, that's some consolation for our boats complete lack of Corian Countertops

[mbd]

Actually, I think we sacrifice functionality (read forward headroom, and even enclosed head in the Ariel's case) for the stepped doghouse look.

I too, got a similar compliment this summer.  We were sailing on opposite tacks past one of the 50 something foot S&S charter boats in Casco Bay, and the captain yelled "Nice boat!". "Likewise", I replied.  

Early on I had looked at the AVs and B27s as well, but ultimately kept returning to the Pearsons and the stepped doghouse. I almost bought a Cheoy Lee Frisco Flyer too, one of my all time favorites - stepped doghouse and very "folkboaty" with the transom hung rudder. Yeowsa!

But, I think our little Ariels are right there though - very shippy, even pert, you might say...

[ebb]

There's a nice iceblue Triton, permanently on the hard in the yard, two boats down from 338  - so I've looked at both boats now, for years.  My peep is this:  the Triton has a lean lanky look - especially in the boatyard waterline view.  Tritons look to me like a scaled down larger boat.    Tritons are immensely improved (in looks) with an added bowsprit imho.   I've read that the Triton is Ariel's big sister.  They may have meant big brother!  They're related because they have the same father,  but they aren't different sizes of the same boat.

The Ariel, including its doghouse,which seems  was very much in vogue at the time when boats were being redesigned for fiberglass, is, imho,  the most beautifully proportioned 26 footer ever conceived.  There is no angle of view that is not pleasing to the eye.  There is no curve in the hull that doesn't have all other curves expand organically from it to a sweet logical conclusion.  There is a healthy plumpness.  There are no flat sections.  The curves in the buttocks, up from the bilge to the transom, cannot be improved, in any way, shape or form.  Trust me.  I've looked at her from every angle, now.  It is a very sexy boat.

BUT.  Did you know that the sheerline, ie the toerail, is dead flat from stem to stern?

[c_amos]

I second that.
 
My friend has #243 in his yard. I hope to visit him soon.
 
  Every time I do, I find I am drawn to the yard..... to stare at the hull.
 
  I helped him do some sanding a trip or two ago, but not a trip up to see him does not pass when I do not spend some time out in the yard just staring at that hull.
 
    I looked at other boats before I found #226. I was actually looking at other boats the day I got the lead on her. As soon as I saw her, I knew there was no other.......
 
Man, I need to log off and go sailing.

[mbd]

Did you know that the sheerline, ie the toerail, is dead flat from stem to stern?

Well I'll be! Danged, if you're not right about that Ebb!  I pulled up a line drawing, and sure enough, it's true. With the squatting stern, you'd never know it though.  Cool illusion. :cool:

[dasein668]

I too, got a similar compliment this summer.  We were sailing on opposite tacks past one of the 50 something foot S&S charter boats in Casco Bay, and the captain yelled "Nice boat!". "Likewise", I replied.  

Palawan? 58 feet.

[mbd]

Good call Nathan, I had a feeling you'd pick up on that one up!  

PS. c_amos - we've got potential snow in the forecast for tonight.  :mad:

[dasein668]

Good call Nathan, I had a feeling you'd pick up on that one up!  

Yeah, I have a soft spot for her, since I learned to sail on her... And did almost every day for 4 summers...

A few more pics here.

[frank durant]

I gotta say...Ole Carl drew BEAUTIFUL boats !!! I love the look of the Triton. Our ariels have to be one of thee best looking boats of their length. Pull up the 'electra' site and you'll see not only the 'dog house roof' family resemblance,but what I consider a proper looking lil 22ft yacht. I didn't know ole Carl or work for his nieghbor  ..but to my eyes the old swede drew beautiful boats.It's great he would not compromise his values. Even the lil typhoon has to be one of the most capable 19fter's that was mass produced.In my opinion the stepped cabin top gives the boat a lot more character than a straight roofed cape dory. Opinions...we all have them.  Heh Pete...we'll put our own 'corian countertops' in.I'm thinking the Italian marble look myself. Like they say...it's the little touchs that count.

[frank durant]

This is the electra site   http://www.jollytime.net/electra_index.htm  click gallery..scroll down to #108 at the dock. Next to a Falmouth Cutter 22...this has to be one of the most proper looking lil yachts out there!!!