MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : what design?

what design mr should I get sailing on an 80acre square pond approx 4ft deep and with a crew weight about 18 stone
i also sail on the sea


Posted: 07/02/2005 10:45:03
By: Peter Rhodes
A mirror dinghy!


Posted: 07/02/2005 11:02:01
By: ANON
i got one o'them but want to know what a m/r for me would be like for curiosity


Posted: 07/02/2005 11:04:48
By: Peter Rhodes
Hi Peter

You would'nt be referring to Crawley Mariners SC would you? There sailing area is about 80 acres with max depth of 4', and that is in the middle!!

I was going to join this club some time back with my merlin but once I learnd about the depth an the fact I was going to have to saw about a foot off my C/B and rudder I gave it the swerve!

As for sea sailing your best bet is a Canterbury Tales or NSM4.Both pretty good weight carriers and power through a chop. Several good ones on the For Sale list, but ultimately depends on your budget?

Having said all that i'm not entirely sure how to answer the question of sailing on a pond, only to say that you will be hard pushed to launch a Merlin and sail it well in 4' of water, but I may stand corrected?

I think the last response had the right answer.

Rgds


Posted: 07/02/2005 12:08:31
By: Magazine Editor
It really depends on what you want to get out of owning a merlin, if its to campaign on the circuit, then you are into the canterbury Tales variants. If its for club sailing then basically any merlin will do as long as it carries the weight.
On the lake I sail on, a well sailed oldie , as long as the handicapper will allow the different handicaps, can still give many of the other classes a run for their money in handicap racing.
Thing to do is get a new centreboard for sailing else where and cut down the old one to give you the required depth. Try a smokers or an NSM 1 or 2, but even an old satisfaction can sail well on small inland lakes.


Posted: 07/02/2005 12:36:51
By: Rob
As you are relatively light, could try Summerwine or NSM4's. Also, lots of other variants that you could try, But it depends on what you want to spend and how good a handy man you are if you go for and old merlin.


Posted: 07/02/2005 12:51:24
By: Rob
Joking apart, Peter, where are you considering sailing the proposed ship?  If you can let me know we can direct you to a club that has enough boats in the bracket you are considering for you to be able to make an sensible judgement.

If you want to ring for a chat about it, please feel free.

ATB

GGGGGGGG


Posted: 07/02/2005 13:37:07
By: Chairman GGGGG
I just wanted to know what altenatives there are to rs400/200's to allow me to fettle about with it a sort of experiment into boat design. I know the mirror is best just want to see what it would be like to have a development class (I sail at Beaver SC if anyone knows it)


Posted: 07/02/2005 15:55:21
By: Peter Rhodes
Peter,

Your best bet for solid advice is to give the family a treat and take them on a day trip to Hollingworth Lake (J21 off the M62). If you give Richard Whitworth a call he will help you out. They have a wide range of Merlins there and will be able to show you the differences - if you time it right I am sure Richard will organise a sail out in one. He is quite good, so you will be in fairly safe hands.

His contact details are in the committee bit of the site.

Good luck

GGGGGGGG


Posted: 07/02/2005 17:48:40
By: Chairman GGGGG
Peter most the comments above have relavence, The basic facts are that just about all recent/modern (last 25yrs) Merlins will give you the opertunity to play around-customise the boat to your ideas,etc.
As stated the newer designs are theoretically the fastest having benefitted from years of development in hull,rig,sail,rigging & construction techniques. It would be possible to reduce the draft to 4" initially as suggested by cutting down an old board or building one with a greater fore& aft cord in an attempt to regain laterail resistance, theories fine but trying it out on the water is everything.
As to which design it depends largly on cash available, dont be put off by older boats for racing at club level, well rigged and updated they turn quite a few heads with there results let alone there looks.
For info designs go to home page check out design link, As the Chairman states go to Hollingsworth lake you might just decide to go the whole hog!!
If not buy an older boat for your puddle and just enjoy it!!! Regards Barry.


Posted: 08/02/2005 08:31:58
By: Barry Watkin

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