Pearson Ariel
Encyclopedia
The Ariel was designed by naval architect Carl Alberg
in 1961 for Pearson Yachts of Bristol, Rhode Island. The Ariel offered Pearson’s early 1960’s customers a midsized boat to fill the product line between the very successful Pearson Triton
and the smaller Pearson Ensign
/Electra. The Ariel shares many of the amenities of the larger Triton including standing headroom (5’10”), berths for four, sink, ice box, freshwater tank and an enclosed head. Other factory options included spinnaker gear and the choice of auxiliary power (Universal Atomic Four inboard or an outboard in a well).
The Ariel and a later daysailing version, the Commander share a common hull and rig (the Commander has a smaller, more spartan cabin to allow for a very spacious cockpit). Of the more than 50 boat designs Carl Alberg produced after leaving the John G. Alden firm to design on his own, Alberg chose the Commander as his personal boat (Hull #302). This boat was named “ALMA” in honor of his wife and for many of his later years was sailed out of Marblehead, Ma.
Today, Hull #302 has returned to sail in the waters surrounding Bristol, RI, where she was built. She is currently owned and was restored in 2005 by Gil Stillings who, due to her wonderful design and distinguished lineage, has renamed her "Fine Lines".
Although the Ariel was produced from 1962 to 1967 (for a total of 440 boats), the majority remain in service today. While many Ariels and Commanders are used for casual daysailing, an active one design racing community still operates in San Francisco. Several ocean crossings have been made by these boats including transpacific crossings and some Newport-Bermuda runs. Those interested in learning more about these fine little boats will find a dedicated online community offering restoration advice and a growing supply base for original pattern parts.
LWL: 18' 6"
Beam: 8'
Draft: 3' 7"
Ballast: 2500 lb (Lead)
Displacement: 5200-5600 lb. (Approx)*
, Pearson Commander, Pearson Electra, Pearson Ensign
.
• http://pearsontriton.com/ New England Triton Association
• http://www.ensignclass.com/ Ensign Class Association
Carl Alberg
Carl Alberg was a Swedish born yacht designer known for his influence in early fiberglass boats.- Career :thumb|an Alberg 30, built in 1966...
in 1961 for Pearson Yachts of Bristol, Rhode Island. The Ariel offered Pearson’s early 1960’s customers a midsized boat to fill the product line between the very successful Pearson Triton
Pearson Triton
The Pearson Triton is a fiberglass sailboat that was manufactured by Pearson Yachts.The Triton was introduced at the 1959 New York National Boat Show and was an immediate sales hit...
and the smaller Pearson Ensign
Pearson Ensign
The Ensign sailboat is the largest class of full keel boats in North America. It was designed by Carl Alberg. Its popularity, rather than declining with the advent of very high performance boats, has been on a major upswing...
/Electra. The Ariel shares many of the amenities of the larger Triton including standing headroom (5’10”), berths for four, sink, ice box, freshwater tank and an enclosed head. Other factory options included spinnaker gear and the choice of auxiliary power (Universal Atomic Four inboard or an outboard in a well).
The Ariel and a later daysailing version, the Commander share a common hull and rig (the Commander has a smaller, more spartan cabin to allow for a very spacious cockpit). Of the more than 50 boat designs Carl Alberg produced after leaving the John G. Alden firm to design on his own, Alberg chose the Commander as his personal boat (Hull #302). This boat was named “ALMA” in honor of his wife and for many of his later years was sailed out of Marblehead, Ma.
Today, Hull #302 has returned to sail in the waters surrounding Bristol, RI, where she was built. She is currently owned and was restored in 2005 by Gil Stillings who, due to her wonderful design and distinguished lineage, has renamed her "Fine Lines".
Although the Ariel was produced from 1962 to 1967 (for a total of 440 boats), the majority remain in service today. While many Ariels and Commanders are used for casual daysailing, an active one design racing community still operates in San Francisco. Several ocean crossings have been made by these boats including transpacific crossings and some Newport-Bermuda runs. Those interested in learning more about these fine little boats will find a dedicated online community offering restoration advice and a growing supply base for original pattern parts.
Specifications
LOA: 25' 7"LWL: 18' 6"
Beam: 8'
Draft: 3' 7"
Ballast: 2500 lb (Lead)
Displacement: 5200-5600 lb. (Approx)*
Related Vintage Sailboats
Comparable boats in the "Plastic Classic" category include the Pearson TritonPearson Triton
The Pearson Triton is a fiberglass sailboat that was manufactured by Pearson Yachts.The Triton was introduced at the 1959 New York National Boat Show and was an immediate sales hit...
, Pearson Commander, Pearson Electra, Pearson Ensign
Pearson Ensign
The Ensign sailboat is the largest class of full keel boats in North America. It was designed by Carl Alberg. Its popularity, rather than declining with the advent of very high performance boats, has been on a major upswing...
.
External links
• http://www.pearsonariel.org/ Pearson Ariel&Commander Class Association• http://pearsontriton.com/ New England Triton Association
• http://www.ensignclass.com/ Ensign Class Association