I know this is very early but I am looking for a helm for the Vintage event - Tideway - in London on 18th June next year.  I hope to bring Secret Water No 111 (see the restoration page on the site) down from Aberdeen and will need a guaranteed helm to make the trip viable!!  Also hope to do the Upper Thames event in September.   Contact me by email if you are interested.

Is the Tideway just for the classic boats? I did it once when I belonged to Ranelagh and it was fantastic. If it's a completely open event - we should try and get a good turnout ...

Gents

This will be a Merlin Rocket 60th Anniversary event and open to all (members).  The race will be preceded on Saturday by a Silver Tiller open meeting at Tamesis, boats can be stored over night and they are planning to have a big party Saturday evening.  Should be Crackin.

More details in the New Year

Will I be able to pitch my tent at Tamesis on Saturday night...?

Yes indeed, this is the plan - although we still need to get official permission from the Club (we do not expect this be a problem)

Any other questions....?

Apparently David Vines has an open house, but sadly he can't sail as he's not yet a MROA member, so he's also offering his boat out for anyone to sail. What a splendid fellow!

....the season of goodwill seems to have similarly affected Mr Plumtree so if anybody would like to borrow Splatter for the event please do let him know ...

Now if you had a Vintage Merlin you don't need to be a MROA member to sail in a vintage event!!  (We have been through this before I think).  BUT why not join, you get a magazine, able to race in any event, access to all the library articles and all for £25 p.a (or put another way 48p per week).

Better value than and lot cheaper than a TV Licence!

To a normal person this would appear to be good value... but we are losing the thread.

I have a question regarding the Tideway and Tamesis ST (plus party)

Do we need to pre-enter for these events...?

and are numbers limited....?

Just to clarify; all entrants to the Tideway Race - vintage or not - will need to be MROA members.

Numbers will be limited, entry in advance will be required to ensure adequate safety cover is available.

See you there!

GGGGGG

Good question, numbers will not be limited because most likely the race will be sailed in flights.

I suspect pre-entry will be a requirement for the Tideway.  Tamesis would probably like people to let them know if they are a..) coming, b..) camping and c..) partaking of food on Saturday evening.

Apologies for contradiction Mr C (GGGGGG)

There seems to be a little confusion about the membership issue:
Under rule 21 (a) ' No boat is entitled to race in the class unless the owner is a current member of the Nation Merlin Rocket Owners Association.'
That is the rule for Vintage, Club, Silver Tiller and EVERY sort of Merlin Rocket racing.
Indeed  handicap racing as well -under the Portsmouth Yardstick boats have to comply with their class rules.
When I was chairman Mervyn Allen and I decided that we could turn a 'blind-eye' to this rule in some cicumstances, in order to encourage vintage sailors to join into the odd event.
We were keen to encourage even the likes of Mr Plumtree and Mr Vines back to enjoy the delights of our class.

Now, the reality is that the enforcement of the rules is up to the organisation of any event.
We, the management, are keen to let anyone come and join in. We dont want to sting someone who is just trying out the 'experience'.
HOWEVER:
Your class is run on a shoestring by dedicated enthusiasts and the only source of income is from subscriptions - plus a little from advertising and sponsorship.
Full membership is £25 (boat owners) and associate is £15 (crews, and anyone else who is interested)
WE NEED YOU because we need your money for better magazines, marketing etc. but mainly because we need your 'clout'. We have 500 members currently - 600 is within reach. Advertsers, sponsors, the press, the RYA and everyone takes more notice of a bigger class.

Mr Blake....I think there is a misunderstanding here,records will show  I have been a paid up member since I re aquired the good ship "1631" from Mr Harris earlier in the year and even have the stickers to prove it.
all the best

I find that a standing order is best...

Absolutely, I'm pretty sure that's my arrangement.Being the season of goodwill I will pass this onto Mr.Vines.It would be good to see him sailing again, such a waste of talent! Looking forward to the party at Tammy on the Saturday.If it rocks like you sail Mr.Harris it will be a good one.

No party could be that good.........

Dont worry splutter I have put some stabilisers in his stocking for christmas and some waterwings for use when he sails a laser.....ho ho ho