ARIEL II Before:
|
ARIEL IIDesign: Originally Built: Rebuilt: |
ARIEL II After:
|
ARIEL II's four year restoration:
|
In 1999 one of our customers bought ARIEL II, which was then docked in Florida. As she was too big to go over the road, she made her way up the intracoastal waterway. At that point ARIEL II was 68 years old and had been sitting on a dock unused for a couple of years. She was in rough shape and infested with bugs and spiders, but even then her potential was evident to her new owner.
|
Over the next four years Ballentine's Boat Shop restored her to her 1931's condition. Much of her was replaced but about half of the planks above the waterline and portions of the interior paneling are original. She was given a new Keel, stem, and forefoot in Angelique (South American hardwood). The hull is double planked (Sikaflex between layers) South American Silver Bali. All soles, cabin structure, and exterior trim are teak. Much of her original hardware was either Monel or bronze, and able to be reused. We also fabricated some custom hardware in bronze.
 Roll Over image for another shot of CALABAN Click on image to learn about CALABAN's construction |
ARIEL II's tender was not ever built by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, but plans for a dinghy and davit system were a part of her original plans. We got those plans from MIT and constructed CALABAN and her unique storage system. The davits are made of Silicone bronze arms that, when deployed hold CALABAN away from the hull and lower her to the water with a block and tackle system. For stowing, the whole system pivots in and cradles CALABAN on deck. As the system had not been built before we were wary of its success, it took a little trial and error but once we found strong enough material, the system worked really well. Yet another example of Herreshoff genius.
One of the major challenges with upgrading classic designs is keeping the look and feel of the original while incorporating some of the modern safety and comfort equipment. There is something about 1930's teak paneling that just doesn't mesh with a large GPS screen or audio speakers. To have the best of both worlds we worked closely with Scott and Nels and the team of Nor'East Marine out of Fairhaven, MA. The placement of every piece of equipment was carefully thought-out for ease of use and maintenance and then artfully hidden. Among other things, ARIEL II houses a water maker, GPS, radar, 3 zone audio system, heating and air conditioning, yet none of it is even noticeable or able to detract from her exquisite aesthetics.
 Electrical panel within a teak cabinet near the helm station |
 Speakers are behind slots in the teak paneling, this settee in the pilot house also houses the air conditioning system. The air intake is in the curved opening under the settee |
 The teak counter in the helm station is hinged... |
 so that it can fold back to reveal the Navigational instruments |
ARIEL II and CALABAN return to us every year for a through maintenance regimen. She relaxes all winter in our heated shed, that is fortuitously positioned on a natural spring, keeping her hydrated and fresh though out the winter. She looks as good as the day she was relaunched.
ARIEL II made the trek back to Red Brook Harbor
and dressed up the harbor for Amy's wedding in 2010