Keith Callaghan Designs
Keith Callaghan's designs are generally suitable for both restricted water and sea sailing.  Keith's philosophy was that upwind performance was vital to get away from the start at sea and from other boats inland.  Their reputation for needing careful handling downwind is perhaps only partially justified.

The early designs, especially Hotspur, have a high initial stability, which can lull the inexperienced into a false sense of security on the run.  A wave, a windshift or carelessness in bearing off can cause a "death roll" before the helm wakes up.  Apart from this possibility, the early designs are quite easy to sail.

From Hexagon on, Keith's designs became less susceptible to the "death roll".  However, they have less initial stability, which means that more precise handling is required if they are to win races.

All Keith's popular designs are fast boats, and very rewarding to sail.  All except Hebron and perhaps Hazard, are responsive and quick tacking in light airs.  Hotspur and Hornblower were built by a wide range of amateur and professional builders.  Many are excellent, but beware of poor construction.

Hebron 1966
Very stable and good in a blow, but sluggish in light airs.  The first Merlin to reach a beam of 6'6" (1.98m).  Only one was built.  Suitable for less than 20 stone.

Hotspur 1968
Development of Hebron, with finer ends.  Excellent river boat.  Beam 6'3" to 6'5".  Suitable for about 23 stone.

Hornblower 1970
Designed as a maximum beam development of Hotspur, with narrower waterlines.  The original Hornblower was wider than boats subsequently built to the same underwater shape.  Good in a blow, slow in light airs.  Beam 6'9" (2.06m) except the prototype.  Suitable for up to about 23 stone.  4th in the 1972 Championships and 2nd in the 1972 Silver Tiller.

Fourunner 1973
An experimental 4-plank Hornblower.  The only 4-plank construction Merlin Rocket.

Hexagon 1973
Development of the Hornblower for improved light weather performance.  Very fast in expert hands. 

Beam 6'10" (2.08m).  There is a maximum beam variant which is also very fast (e.g. 4th in the 1973 Inlands) but which is said to be difficult to handle offwind.  Hexagon is suitable for up to about 24 stone.  Winner of the Silver Tiller in 1973 and 1974, and second in 1973 and second and third in the 1974 Championships.

Hysteria 1974
Development of the Hexagon with reduced keel rocker aft, and softer bilges.  Very fast all round, in expert hands, with a further improvement in offwind handling.  Suitable for up to 24 stone.  4th and 6th in the 1974 Championships and 6th in 1975.
Callaghan's best - many built by Aln Boatyard.

Hazard 1977
Development of Hysteria, with reduced keel rocker and more U section bows.  Good in a breeze, but not such a good weight carrier in light airs.  Suitable for up to 22 stone.

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Tony Watts Designs
Generally V sectioned hulls, very stable in heavy weather, but poor in light airs.  Good sea boats, suitable for lightweights on exposed water.

Wotnot 1968
Very stable, excellent in heavy weather on the sea.  Slow tacking and poor in light airs.  Won the 1969 Championships at Whitstable and was second in 1968, and 5th in 1969 also.

Wotbeta 1970
Development of the Wotnot for heavier crews and better light weather performance.  This design won the 1970 Championships at Pwllheli in heavy weather, and was 5th in 1971.

Wotgamma and Wotdelta
Further developments of Wotbeta and Wotnot for heavier crews and improved light airs performance.  Characteristics not greatly altered.

Rapidity 1974
Bow not as fine as the Wotnot series and aft keel rocker increased.  The V'd mid sections run almost to the transom like the Ghost Rider but flattens out inches from the transom.

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