Two merlins up for sale on eBay - sail numbers not disclosed 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Dinghy-sailing-boat-Merlin-Rocket_W0QQitemZ170303139262QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET?hash=item170303139262&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Non of them are as advertised!

Ok, so the blue one seems to have been made 30 years later than it looks like it should have been, and some poor soul has spent their weekends smoothing off the hull on the red one, before sawing off the last 12" of rotten planks at the transom. Perhaps it was once next to a Merlin Rocket.

Have found out from the seller that the blue one is sail number 1869 a Doodlebug design (seems there was only one made) designed by W.A.Dobson in 1966.  The number is on the thwart.  Aln Boatyard built.

Sounds like a snip at £10.50 but surely it will go up. The petrol costs to collect it would be around £100 from the midlands!

there's yet another one up No 898 [I think] it's old any way - rolled decks and a decked in stern. 
cheap though since there's no mast.

It seems to be number 854 a Proctor XI made by Chippendale named "Miss" built in 1958.

I was just reflecting that the quality of the build of these Merlins must have been superb as so many have actually survived in generally good nick.  Also a testament to the affection that Merlin ownwers have for their boats that they generally are maintained well too.

I bought doodlebug on Ebay and travelled to Glasgow to collect , it is better than description with no rot at all and complete with all original fittings from new  . The hull is 8mm ply  and very stiff with no leaks it was also built without any buoyancy tanks , i hope to sail this season but would be gratefull for any history regarding it or contact with previous owners

A previous thread Alex.