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Ken Coles Designs
As a newcomer to the Merlin class, Ken Coles produced two designs of notable originality in one boat!
Baz 1969
As originally built:
A fine U section bow with an unusual lay-up of planking, merging into a rounded mid-section, and then an extremely narrow, steeply V'd transom. It has been suggested that this design proved some inspiration for the less extreme and more successful Ghost Rider which appeared the next year.
After drastic surgery:
Transom now extremely wide, flat and shallow. Bow section unaltered.
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C C Gregory Designs
Both Gregory's designs were radical departures from established design principles. Each was quite unlike anything that had gone before. The Ghost Rider is one of the most successful designs of the seventies and, even after twenty years, it is still capable of winning an open meeting.
Ghost Rider 1970
Very stable, excellent boats for lightweights, especially in heavy weather. Slow to tack, so not ideal for river sailing, and perhaps reluctant to plane in marginal conditions. V sectioned with less rocker forward than earlier designs. Beam 6'10" (2.09m), and suitable for up to 22 stone. There are some modified versions of this design. Ghost Riders won the Silver Tiller in 1972 and 1976, the Inlands in 1973 and 1976, and the Championships at Plymouth in 1971. Other Championship results include 5th 1970, 6th 1971, 2nd 1972 and 6th 1973. Ghost Riders have often won restricted water open meetings even in light airs, and they are still a good design for the under 20 stone teams. Very popular in the early 70's.
Echo 1973
Round sectioned development of the Ghost Rider with full, shallow entry and narrow rounded transom. On smooth water, this design shares the characteristics of Ghost Rider but slams badly to windward against a short chop and is therefore not a good sea boat. A full bow is not usually associated with nose-diving tendencies, but in the case of the Echo, the extra resistance when the nose goes down apparently makes the boat difficult to control in strong winds, especially in waves.
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Echo is at its best inland, where it may be better than Ghost Rider in light airs. Best for crews under 20 stone.
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Mike Nokes Designs
Mike Nokes' designs were produced for Wyche and Coppock of Nottingham, who were among the founders of the Merlin Rocket class. Mike had previously produced a successful National 12, the Starfish, but found as did so many 12 designers, that you cannot just scale up a 12 and produce a good Merlin.
Star Rocket 1963
Won the Silver Tiller in 1964 for Alan Warren and Alan also tied for first place at the 1965 Championships at Plymouth, but faded after that.
Moon Rocket 1969
Good on restricted water and in light airs. This design has a very slim bow merging into a rounded mid section and a flat run with hard bilges. It has a tendency to nose-dive, and needs careful handling offwind. Beam 6'3". Designed with the River Trent in mind.
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Jo Richards Designs
After a promising start with some interesting National 12 designs, Jo's Merlin Rockets are disappointingly conservative. Although unlike the work of any other designer, they are merely straightforward developments of his highly successful National 12, Bouncer.
Meglo 1978
A very wide, stable boat. Extremely fast reaching in heavy weather. Poor to windward through a chop, in lighter weather and generally unrewarding in light airs. Best for lightweights.
Dumper Truck 1979
Development of Meglo. Appearance and characteristics not greatly altered.
Virtual Reality 1993
Jo Richards has designed a new boat (3503) which is flat with no rocker and little freeboard. With his wider experience in FDs it will be interesting to see what he has produced.
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