Sailing in handicap races is the norm for many people nowadays. The consistent performance of the Merlin Rocket dinghy on all points of sailing and in all wind conditions makes it an ideal boat in a handicap fleet. Many other classes of boats only go well in certain wind conditions and on certain points of sailing. In a Merlin Rocket, it is always your day.
The manoeuvrability of the Merlin Rocket and its responsiveness to good sailing and teamwork really comes to the fore in class racing. The hallmark of the Merlin Rocket is its versatility. It is an excellent boat for sailing on rivers, small and large reservoirs and on the sea. Competitive class racing is available at a large number of clubs across the country and on many different types of water. With the high level of sailing in the fleet, it is a case of get 6 Merlin Rockets together and there is a game on.
On smaller waters where the wind is generally more variable, the Merlin Rockets built to older designs can even have an advantage over the newer boats.
This range of sailing forms the backbone of the Silver Tiller Open Meeting series. Whilst Open Meetings can be attended on an individual basis, to qualify for a Silver Tiller position, a helmsman has to count the results of any 5 Open Meetings during the year. This competition is a true test of the skill and adaptability of the helm. Helms have to count one result from a restricted (small) water event, one result from a large open water event and one result from a sea open meeting, plus any 2 other results.
Being the best heavy-weather sailor on the sea does not guarantee a win in this event.
The National and Inland Championships are both held annually, and past
winners include the legendary Laurie Smith. There's also the infamous
'Salcombe week' in Devon, with 90 boats routinely competing in a narrow
estuary (Ria) - seeing is believing.
This is the largest non-championship one-design
regatta in the country!
A key feature of many of these events is the social side.
Come the evening, there is always a good party going on.
Merlin Rocket - The boat for all seasons, the boat for all waters.
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