1980, Halifax, Canada: Dentist Dr. Gene Jensen bought Aries and decided to adopt the yacht for charter purposes. Subsequently, the boat was stripped down to a bare hull after which she was built up again to incorporate a more practical interior for guests and all new systems. It was also then that the gaffed mainsail was replaced with a bigger Bermudian rig. During this restoration high quality and safety standards were followed to ensure continuing Lloyd’s Register 100 A 1 classification.
Aries then operated as a charter vessel during the 80′s until she was dismasted in a Caribbean hurricane in 1989. Financial problems forced the owner to sell the boat, after which she was transported to the Netherlands. The new owner started with the planning and designs for a new restoration, which were never executed because the Dutch fiscal authorities claimed her. Adventure NV then bought the yacht Aries when she was auctioned in 1995 with the plan to fully restore her in the Netherlands so that she could be operated trouble free for the years to come.
1996/97 The Netherlands:
The restoration was conducted with a number of carefully selected Dutch specialist companies; layout and a larger sail plan were prepared by Olivier van Meer. The objectives during the restoration were clear; entirely new systems, wiring, piping, appliances, engines, crew quarters and two luxury en-suite guest cabins instead of four in the area forward of the saloon. All was to be carried out with the highest standards Dutch yachtbuilding can offer and the yacht was to incorporate the highest level of comfort possible while maintaining all the style and warmth of a classic vessel. A year and a half were spent from initial planning to seatrials. The following list refers to updates carried out in this refit:-
Internal –
Engine replaced
Rebuilt gensets
Rewired bilge pumps
Sewage tank membrane pumps
Watermaker
Waterheater
Switchboards (both high and low voltage)
Battery chargers
Inverters
Electrical wiring throughout in new cable channels
Autopilot hydraulic pump
Hydraulic steering system
Air conditioning system, tubing and air handlers in all cabins
Jacuzzi pump
Hydrophore water pressure system and renewed hot and cold water piping throughout
Fire detection system
Intercom system
Navigation and communication systems
Galley and household equipment
Entertainment equipment
External:
Main and mizzen masts and booms,bowsprit
Stainless steel standing rigging
Running rigging
Sail handling winches
Rebuilt original anchor windlass with new electromotor
Biminis with fixed stainless steel frames
Capping rail
Replaced inferior carpentry works, stripped all woodwork and re-painted
Interior :
Crew quarters carpentry and heads
Two new en-suite guest cabins forward of the main saloon, replacing four smaller cabins.
Saloon seating layout
In the zone aft of the main saloon interior changes were restricted to replacing inferior quality panelling and modifications for more practical use
All carpentry was stripped to bare wood and re-painted
Upholstery replaced
(Many of these items will now need replacing again)
Further Refits / Dry Dockings
1998 Serbim Marseille: Drydocking for new antifouling. Rudder and shaft check before departure to Caribbean. Servicing of all seacocks.
2000 Serbim Marseille: Wood repairs to keel deadwood after damage in Caribbean. Antifouling, bilge pump servicing.
2002 Manoel Island Yacht Yard Malta: Full reconditioning of rudder and rudder stock and steering gear, replaced any soft wood. Reinforced the rudder stock entry horn timber and attachment of the gland. Replaced rudder skeg and reconditioned heel fitting after mooring damage (pic 1). Further activities included antifouling and topsid |
