I am looking to buy a Merlin for Class events and to sail all year round at my local inland club and have a budget up to £5000. I am hoping to buy FRP, but there seems to be more choice and more extras included with the wooden boats. Can anyone give any advice on using a wood boat all year round,with no indoor storage facility available? How much maintanance is required with a wood boat?as I have only prevously owned GRP boats. |
Obviously it's better to keep a wooden boat inside, but if keeping outside a good quality breathable cover is essential. It's best to give the boat an airing one a week or so, even if that means going to the club and just taking the cover off for an hour or so. This gets rid of any standing water under the cover and helps prevent frost damage. |
The other thing is, that as I'm sure Chris will testify too, that more modern wooden boats are much more durable than previous incarnations. For example Pocket Rocket on the for sale list will have been completely epoxy coated from new, which is much more durable than old-school varnish. That boat looks like a great buy by the way! |
That is true though it does depend on the builder and when it comes to wood you generally can't go wrong with a Smart, Rowsell, Turner, Jackson or Driver built hull. The construction and fit out will be first class and provided it's been well cared for will need little doing to it. |
If the boat has been refurbished properly with modern epoxy 2 pack, it won't be that much trouble to her looking great. Good quality 2 pack is a lot more hard wearing than traditional varnish and doesn't need recoating as often, but as Chris has stated, you still need to keep on top of the minor scratches and scrapes (which of course everyone does on their FRP boats as well, right? :) However, I'd still be reluctant to leave a nice wood boat outside all year round, hard frosts over Winter can be tough on the finish, so 3546 now gets tucked away in my garage Xmas through to late Feb / early March. |
Pocket Rocket (Still for sale.....) has its original varnish/paint and is still looking top notch, though I had the varnish topped up at the beginning of this season by Laurie. http://www.merlinrocket.co.uk/secondhand/view.asp?id=548 |
Im 3525 a Rowsell Canterbury Tales epoxied inside and out with good breathable cover and usual refinements in excellent condition full details on secondhand list. Just need a new owner as been replaced with a one string Winder. |
Suprised Joes has not gone!! I would buy it myself if I had the cash. I just can't be bothered to advertise mine and trade up otherwise It might be possible! |
Theres a thought?! |
Does anyone know if Pocket Rocket has been sold yet? |
Not as far as i know |
I was going to go for her but lost my crew at the nationals. Good boat going begging really! |
What weight is this design best for, I ask as the design guide speaks of low down bouancy which I assume would help more portly helms and crews? |
It carries my 13&1/2 stone around just fine sailing with about 23st all up. Certainly found it alot less sticky through the tacks and more forgiving than my previous tales. |
It's a well looked after boat and great value... |
A hot windless day indeed. They must be tippy these old boats... Well done Joe. |