Can anyone help?

I'm looking for some local sailing.

Are there any Merlins sailing in Mid Wales, I sailed at ????????? last year but could do with deeper water.

Many Thanks

Nearest I've ever heard of for Merlins is Bala, but I don't think there are any there now. Might be worth checking though.
Bloody big water, black gusts, dead calms and excellent local lamb for barbecues.
Plus they don't speak Welsh! (Much.)

Unfortunately there are no well established fleets in Wales, but I'm sure there are a few clubs where Merlins are sailed.

There were still two or three Merlins at Bala when I sailed there just before the Abersoch nationals (2003).  Miles James is the main contact there, I found the locals were very friendly and it is a lovely place to sail (as long as the wind blows down the valley!)

Also, David Downs sails 3544 at Llandegfedd, which is fairly close to Newport.  I've not sailed there myself, but David tells me it is a fairly large reservoir and quite scenic.  Also it is rumoured that the beer at the club is excellent, so could be worth checking out!

I (3248) also sail at Llandegfedd. It's mainly handicap/pursuit racing with lasers and rs400's. Nice water, very pretty, and very nice sociable people. Water is definitely deep enough. Can be a bit still near the banks, with odd gusts etc. Unfortunately we don't get going until March. Another Merlin would be great to see there.

Bala - come to bala!

We have 7 merlins at present, and a new design appearing this season, and a couple of new members are bringing their merlins to the foreshore. Bala Once had the Largest fleet of Merlins, though numbers are now single figures, bring yours along and we might just get it back into double figures.

You can sail anytime!

Any questions, phone me

01492 541250

Miles James
Merlin Fleet Captain
Vice Commodore Bala Sailing Club

James I do enjoy sailing at Bala and too have had some v-good racing - sadly it's a bit too far - Home is just outside Hereford and my crew is based near Ragleigh! 

PS are you going get an Open meeting on the Calender?

Merlin Inlands at Bala Sept 2005, anyone know of a canterbury tails for sale for about £2000 - £2500 around the north west area. Been sailing GP,s Lasers and Fireballs at Bala for over 35 years, fancy a Merlin now especialy if the fleet is going to go into double fiqs.
Gary Darch
Commodore Bala SC

Llandegfedd is about 37 miles from the Hereford racecourse. Easy, fast road, take about 45 minutes with the wind behind you.

Thanks Graham, spoke to my crew last night - his's just got a job in Aviemore - hmm I'm pleased for him - new crew?

Another Merlin at Bala, late sail number as well should be interesting. Watch out Miles there coming to get you!

Gary,

Finding a Canterbury Tales at £2,000 - £2,500 is quite unlikely unless it has been well abused, the cheapest on the second hand list on this site is at £3,900 (which sounds in great condition).

Depending on your all up weight (if you are light end) you should consider an NSM4 there is one listed at £2,000, but for all round performance and weight carrying ability and value for money you should go for an NSM2 from the list £2,850 down to £1,000. Whilst a Winder Tales at £7,500 will pull away from an NSM2 off wind in marginal planning conditions the NSM2 is much easier to tack and is still capable of winning in restricted waters.

Thanks Alan, Helm weight 14 stone crew weight 12 stone will be in the boat at Bala apart from lose weight any ideas?

It is difficult for my advice to be considered unbiased, I'm sure other forum members will have opinions, but I'd say the NSM 2 would suit well, especially a good one with decent rig and sails such the one I'm selling.

I forgot the link

Cheers Alan could you email me the complete details on your boat as I am interested, age ,is it wood etc etc

Alan's boat is about the best plastic NSM2 around and still very competitive on the river.  Unfortunately NSM2's are blown apart by the CT and derivatives on a reach unless it's really light, but if Bala is mainly beating and running that won't be too much of an issue.  Only other boat not an NSM or similar in your budget on the list is 3394, which is on the design line that led to the CT and is good value if in good condition.  But you would be buying an older wooden boat that has not been sailed recently, you should be handy with a bit of DIY for whatever unexpectedly pings off and I suspect the rig may well need updating at that price - a new spinny and poles is going to be needed at least and the rig may not be deck-stepped, which makes obtaining good 2nd hand sails more difficult.