I'm the new caretaker of Ariel-109

[Ariel 109]

Hello everyone.  I'm the new "caretaker" of Ariel-109.  She's located on City Island up in the Bronx.  I've got my work cut out getting her seaworthy again but lurking through your postings has been a big help and highly inspiring.

Thanks

Ben

[mbd]

Welcome and congrats! I see you're a furniture maker. Do you have big plans for the "new" boat?

[Ariel 109]

Do you have big plans for the "new" boat?

Thanks for the welcome.  Ariel 109 is in pretty original condition and most of her problems are deck repair, replacing the rotting cockpit coamings and missing rigging.  But the list as you all know is endless.  The big plan is just to go sailing.  Although I've fallen in love with the Ariel's lines and would like it to be a nice looking boat.

She's complete down below, even has her original foam cushion covers.  I've cleaned her inside and out of all the little things that accumulate in a boat over the years.  How many half empty suntan lotion bottles and rusty cans of insect repellent can a boat hold?   She came with a nice clean set of sails (made on City Island) including her spinnaker and a recent Johnson 8hp motor.

I'm going to start working on the deck this weekend and I'll try and post pictures.

Ben

I am a furniture maker.  I've got a simple website here:

http://www.benbajorek.com/

[bill@ariel231]

Ben
welcome aboard, it sounds like she is in good hands.
cheers,
bill@ariel231

[carl291]

Welcome Ariel 109,   Very nice looking boat and it FLOATS!!!  you're already ahead of the curve:)

[Ariel 109]

Float she does.  Her bilge would be bone dry if it wasn't for the deck leaks.

Well the first thing I'm going to attempt fixing on 109 are the obvious holes and weaknesses in her the deck.  I ran out today and bought a gallon of West epoxy, the faster hardener and a filler.  I'm going to send away for a sheet of some 3/8" end grain balsa core.  I couldn't find anybody local selling the stuff.  I guess I'll start fixing the two areas on the un-cored rear deck while I await the balsa.  

The bow pulpit is missing from 109 so I'll be doing without one for now and the screw holes will all get filled.

Here are pictures of some of the problem areas.

[carl291]

Since you're located in the Northeast, check on Bill's Periwinkle thread for a nice all weather cover which will allow you work under and resist collapse in snow conditions.
Jamestown distributors has the supplies you will need for repairs . I get my stuff from U S Fiberglass coatings in FL but you have to  be a business with a tax number, if you are, their prices are better.
Good Luck , Also any question you have will be answered on this site by it's members. There is nothing you can do to these boats that probably has not been done already including making a mess of a repair:eek: That the members can not guide you out of;)
Carl

[ebb]

A109,
Looks like she must have had an altercation with a hurricane - no pulpit and all those tear-outs obviously by rope. Basic glass work in difficult access areas.  That old polyester is really tough.  Though sometimes in sheer you'll get short delaminations like with a chisel.

The first photo of the boat seems to show she isn't tired anywhere.  Looks pumped up and tight.  She really looks good!.
 Hope there's not too much you have to do with the deck!

And if she did survive a blow it doesn't look like she hit anything.

Have fun.

[Ariel 109]

Thanks again for all your encouragement and help.  I really don't know any of the history of 109 apart from the belief she's been kept at City Island for many years.  I think she's been a sufferer of benign neglect and underuse.  Maybe floating unused on a mooring for many years like a lot of other boats around here.  Or languishing ashore on a trailer, which I think was 109's situation until somebody demanded their driveway back.  

I really wasn't looking to get a sailboat but one of my old friends found 109 and enticed me into the purchase ($500).  The wife also was very supportive with the ideal, go figure!  My friend has been working on a Coronado 41, which he's hopes to live aboard and we're sharing a decently protected pier this winter with the local fishing boats.  

109 is strong boat.  While working on her this Saturday with 40 mph wind gusts buffeting her on the pier she felt solid.  I don't think the deck issues are too extensive.  But we'll see soon.
 
Can anyone here describe the gooseneck (sliding?) for the ariel?  Mine doesn't seem to be all there.  I'm missing the piece that attaches to the track on the mast.  

Thanks

Ben

[commanderpete]

Hi Ben,  Glad to have you aboard.

Take a look at these threads to see what parts you may need

http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=66&highlight=gooseneck

http://pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=815&highlight=gooseneck

Peter

[Bill]

Please use the search function at the top of the page.  That's what Commander Pete did . . . here is another thread to view.

http://www.pearsonariel.org/discussion/showthread.php?t=815&highlight=gooseneck

[Ariel 109]

Thanks for the information about the gooseneck.  I will try the Search function first next time.

Ben

[Ariel 109]

Well here's some progress.  I glued up a tiller for 109 this morning.  Made out of laminated Purple Heart which I had leftover from a project.  I used Titebond Ultimate III glue which I've had good experiences with in similar situations.  Any recommendations for varnishes?

[ebb]

EPIFANES
Epifanes.

[c_amos]

EPIFANES
Epifanes.

I second that.

  However, seeing the beautiful layup I am not sure I am qualified to post to further inquiries.