Flicka Arielle

Jack Russell wrote about Arielle twice for Flicka Friends in 2020. The first piece, "Fallen Arches" in #69 (Spring 2020), begins with the mast step found sitting flat on the deck — the first outward sign that the mast support arch below had given way. What followed was a two-month structural repair, a new oak arch built over a form, that came to about $750 all told, $300 of that a new plastic hatch. The article ends with Arielle back on her mooring at Port San Luis, California, sailing again on a new mast support arch.

In #70 (Summer 2020) he took on a smaller nuisance. "Filling In The Gaps" describes the sliding oak boards he made to close the gaps either side of the companionway hatch that had always let rain below, hung on quarter-inch stainless carriage bolts through the teak and the hatch slide and running on nylon fender washers. Slid outward they lock the hatch shut, which he found a useful side effect, and he added a tubular lock more for appearance than necessity.

Completed a year-long refit under previous owner Trevor Rowell: new Brightside paint on hull and deck, with all deck fittings and teak removed for painting and refinishing and rebedded with butyl. New bronze ports, a custom-made bowsprit, new canvas, new interior cushions and a new removable headliner, new tiller pilot and new bottom paint. Standing rigging replaced a few years before the refit. Tanbark sails. Trailer included.