The Ariel was designed by naval architect Carl Alberg in 1961 for Pearson Yachts of Bristol, Rhode Island. The Ariel offered Pearson's early 1960s 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.