Does anyone know what design 2601 is? Many thanks

It's a Satisfaction (not Smokers Satisfaction!) built by Rowsell Brothers in 1972 according to the yearbook

Originally called Manifestation built for J Houghton and a sister ship to the famous 2614 Baccarat owned by John Harris

2601 was at Tamesis and owned by Tony Bridgewater until a couple of years ago.

Ken and I bought 2604, another Satisfaction (that won the nationals in 1976) 8 or so years ago on the recommendation of John Harris.
It took us to the next level of Merlin sailing and was very quick in light winds even with 23/24 stone.

I've noticed 2601 on eBay but I've already been to see 3 M/Rs that were on eBay but on each occasion I've had to tell the proud owners that their boats might be suitable for winter projects! However if 2601 was owned by Tony Bridgewater as recently as 2 years ago she's probably worth looking at.

My brother John sold her sister boat 2614 'Baccarat' to Ken Ellis who was twice Champion crew and subsequently RYA chairman. Ken was born on the same day as me and he's not well at the moment. He sold 'Baccarat' to me in the late 70s. In 1980 I sold her to Eric Archer when I bought the second Omega/Rowsell boat, Eric sailed her at Minima Y C with Ben. 

'Baccarat' was a superb boat, probably the best of the eight Merlin Rockets I've owned. She was 28lbs underweight when new so rather fragile. I've asked before if anyone knows her whereabout and now I'm asking again.  

Thanks

I have got to be honest anything on E-bay is going to be on there only because the owner is struggling to sell privately.  Its a good way to get rid of something which you are struggling to sell

I have decided to rejoin the Merlins and purchased said boat, after undoing much of the rubbish she isnt in too bad a condition, need to sort decking and bow/jib fittings hope to have her back on the water next spring.

So, what  has happened to the Ablacore, Rob. Isn't it about time you rteturned to Salcombe week?

Still have the Alb in the garage, just in process of stripping deck to give it a fresh varnish. Havent sailed it for a couple of years, actually not sailed at all for two years. Looking forward to getting back afloat.

For interest only, this looks like the same boat sold earlier in the summer, seems to be the same buyer / seller. Found it stored in my ebay 'watched' items.

Seems to be a different seller - they have used the same photos in the more recent ad but lost the resolution - I thought I'd seen it before with clearer pictures!
Still they made £49 less transport from Bedford to Southampton.

I think the buyer in the first sale is the seller in the second - perhaps got the images from the first sellers posting on E bay -the images are the same. Perhaps got cold feet (or wet ones) and decided to sell it on.
It looks like a nice boat and good value as a purchase, the seller would also have his Ebay fees to find from the £49.00!

Quite correct about seller/buyer,1st bid on the second seller was the seller the 1st time !!!
Bit of work to do but doesn't seem too bad, (I hope)

Highly Spiced (Even older Merlin man) !! who is that who remembers my lovely old Lawrie Smart Mustard Seed, and also that I got myself an Chipstow Alb,
Please email me

Glad she's been bought by a genuine merlin Rocket sailor. I was sort of interested but now I'm going to buy no. 1359 'Blue Streak', she's a Chippendale MK XII.

1395 :-) - the owner of which is buying a plastic NSM2?

Brian, is David Vines buying Bebek then?  Good, it's all change in the Merlin Rocket fleet at Tammy... again! :~)

There's another Merlin on ebay now - its sail no 2365.  Does anyone know anything of this no, design etc?  many thanks

Have not seen this one but book says she is a Proctor XVIIa built by Bob Hoare in 1970 and was /is called Esmerelda

2365 was built for D L H Sampson of Parkstone YC and was originally called Esmeralder.
In 1976 she was owned by M Burgess who lived in Briantspuddle, Nr Dorchester.
The 1977 year book shows her owners as G A Murdoch and R Page and in 1978 as R M R Page again of Parkstone YC. By the time the 1979 book was published he/she had moved Warsash and joined the Hamble River SC.
The owner changed again by 1980 to N Price also of HRSC and in 1982 to A Campbell and it at this time that the spelling of the name changed.
By 1984 she had moved back to Parkstone in the ownership of M Foster.The year books since then are of no help.
I would just add a personal comment that I was never competitive in 2227 the Mk XV11 that I bought from David Potter.

Comments about Esmeralder noted. Pictures from owner indicate she is not too bad but very dusty, certainly in better condition than the September Girl abandoned at Bosham; what is the difference between a Proctor XVII and a XVIIa?

Basically they got wider, last xvii,s were 7' 2" wide

Suspect the XVIIa referred to is Bob Hoare's modification aka KingSize - see the design guide.  Basically a flared out Proctor XVII that had a local following in Poole Harbour.  There are reputed to be structural problems with the early very wide boats as the rig stresses are not well triangulated in the high-tank hull and this is exacerbated by increasing the beam.

Interesting comment about rig stresses on wider MkXVIIs - Esmeralder has a damaged mast gate. She also has a SS hoop so the rig may have been over modernised.
I am bidding on 2789 the September Girl in Plymouth; she looks good and, Tony Lane tells me, was built by Freeman at Shoreham like 2534, the Bosham derelict spotted by Frank Baldry and I in August. If sucessful I shall have to join you enthusiastic (mad?) vintage MR owners. 
Peter Ellam

Have bought 2789, HYPERION, I believe, and sent off application to join MROA. I collect at the weekend on return from golfing lads' week in the Algarve - well, someone has to do it!