Wondering on the best design for 17st Helm, crew 10st.
I am looking for a boat for club racing. I know I will never win much with this weight on a Merlin but it could be good fun.

I sail on fairly sheltered seas in predominately light winds.

Based in the North of Scotland any boats for sale in Scotland.

If you're handicap racing you're better off with an older design at that weight and trying to persuade whoever sets the handicaps at your club to apply the age adjusted PY numbers.

Depending on your budget look for Satisfaction/Smoker, NSMII, Bad Company, ROTS (II).

Any of these can be had for less that £2k, the Satisfactions or Smokers Satisfactions being the cheapest at around £500 and very common. Bad Companys are rarer, but worth seeking out price around £1000ish. Going rate for a decent NSM II is about £1500. 

Riders on the Storm, and the modified versions have not appeared second hand for some time (Though the origional is currently for sale and is worth a look) so they are hard to price. If carbonised i'd hazard a guess at about £2500 if in good condition, rather less if still alloy rigged.

ROTS 3382 would be your best bet. It was designed for Nick Aubrey, who with Chris Rutter were big lads in a Merlin. I'm sure its is still a well equipped boat and went fast in the variable winds at Torquay in 87 - my last Merlin champs,haha, those were the days!!!  And its only a short drive to Lancashire! Good luck. Out of interest, where are you in the north of Scotland?

Riders on the Storm is advertised on the list in Preston which is probably as close to the border as you are going to get!  This boat was campaigned competitively on the circuit a couple of years ago and has (had) a good rig on it.  (last seen by me at Tamesis 2y ago).  Smoker's Satisfaction and NSM2 are the classic weight carrying designs though probably better in light winds - though that is what you want.  If you are sailing for fun then condition is actually more important than hull shape as it is not particularly enjoyable having to spend more time repairing the boat after each outing than you did sailing it.

Thanks for tha advice

Based in Invergordon just North of Inverness.

Can you drop me a line. I guess you already know about the Channonry fleet ( a pair of Smokers and a NSM4 if memory serves). I may be able to put you in touch with members up there so you can get a look a Merlin first hand.
If you wish I can add your name to the email list for the Scottish fleet.
hope to hear from you soon.

Corms, welcome.  I am one of the three MRs in Chanonry, although in fairness we've not yet had all three out at once.  But come next season .....

One for the diary - first weekend in August is the Chanonry regatta and it has been agreed that this will form one of the Scottish Merlin traveller events.  We race on the old boat handicaps so whatever you get will be competitive.

Get in touch.

Scottish fixtures are at:

The Bad Company design in the For Sale list might meet your needs. The design guide says good inland and carries weight up to 28st.  Not so easy in a blow.

Bad Company is a good boat but it doesnt plane fast, had one for many years, it was good a salcombe and especially quick upwind, ok straight downwind and well definetly not the quickest on a reach. Worth a look as they do carry weight well, just watch the nose dive in heavy downwind.

I am holding off for a few weeks becuase it looks like I may end up buying a platau 25 or Sonar in a partnership with my crew.

But I will keep an eye on the forum

if your 17st pal, I think a Platu 25 is about right! :)