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	For the first boat he built, he modified Ian Proctor's Mark VI design. This boat took him to sixth place in the 1959 Championship at Whitstable. Kingsize 1969 This design was based on the Proctor XVII faired out above the waterline to a beam of seven feet (2.13 metres). Stable and slow tacking. Designed for sailing in Poole harbour (the boat's home waters), but poor on restricted water. Suitable for crews of less than 20 stone. Summer Blues 1977 A development of Ghost Rider for improved manoeuvrability on restricted water. ================================================= Richard Debenham Designs Richard Debenham's early designs were produced while he was working for A D Truman of Oulton Broad. He continued to design Merlin Rockets after becoming self-employed in 1969. All these designs are good to windward, and in light weather. They need careful handling downwind, especially in gusty conditions. Designed with Oulton Broad in mind. Northern Light 1970 This design was built in GRP as well as in wood. The wooden versions are generally preferred. They vary in beam between 6'4" (1.93m) and 6'10" (2.08m). Particularly fast tacking and good river boats, but difficult to handle downwind in a blow. Velvet Scoter 1970 A wider version, easier to manage downwind. Came at the end of a design era which changed after 1970. Impulse 1975 Impulse is very fast in light weather, but unforgiving downwind in a blow. Only one built, beam 6'10" (2.08m). ================================================= R Debenham and N Truman Designs Mark Twain 1961 Only one built, good in light airs. Surf Scoter 1962 A good all round boat. The prototype took Nick Truman and Richard Debenham to fifth place in the


	1962 Championship in Torquay, (windy) and third place in 1964 at Poole (light). The design also finished sixth in 1964, third in 1965, fourth in 1966 and third in 1967. Eight were built. One won the Silver Tiller three years running. Super Scoter 1966 A good weight carrier, and good in light airs. Fourth in the 1968 Championship at Falmouth. Only three were built, but two of them became well known for performance on inland lakes. Wotadolly 1969 A wide version of the Surf Scoter built by Nick Truman after Richard Debenham had left. Won Poole Week 1970 and always did well on enclosed waters. ================================================= Mike Jackson Designs In the late 60's, Mike Jackson a highly successful designer of National 12s, achieved recognition as a successful Merlin Rocket designer with the Sugar Plum and Superstition designs. By the time that Speculation and Rigadoon appeared, Gregory, Morrison and Callaghan had taken over as the most popular designers. These last two designs have both had their admirers, but few buyers. Rake's Progress 1962 The first Merlin Rocket to feature a flat run, and hard bilges aft. (Similar to the Xpectant, but narrower). Good in light airs but very difficult in a blow. Sugar Plum 1964 A very good river boat, particularly good reaching but well known for its "deathroll" in a seaway. The first design to reach a beam of six feet (1.83m) sixth in the 1967 Championship at Poole. Superstition 1968 A wider, flatter development of the Sugar Plum. A quick tacking, good inland boat, especially fast reaching in planing conditions. Beam 6'2" (1.88m). Suitable for up to about 23 stone. Second in the 1969 Championships at Whitstable. Won Silver Tiller in 1968, 2nd in 1969. Wide Superstition 1970 Not quite as good in light airs as the narrower Superstition, but more suitable for lightweights. Beam 6'7" (2.0m) fourth in the 1971 Championships at Plymouth. Go to page 5 Back to index