Hi, I have a vintage Merlin Rocket that I no longer sail and am prepared to give to an enthusiast rather than see it destroyed.  Boat Name: SIESTA Sail No:635 Maker: Holt Construction: Glued Clinker - It is cw road trailer, needs re decking & the interior revarnishing but it is complete with 2 sets of sails (one set cotton) both in cruising condition.  The rigging was replaced 2 years ago.  The boat is located in Amersham, Buckinghamshire.  If you are interested I can forward photos.  Unfortunately this Merlin needs to find a home quickly or it will have to be broken up.

Please dont break it up;-I'd like to at least take a look at it. We have 883 Lotus Eater at our club;- I've sniffed around it but there is damage to the bottom planting that looks really difficult to fix. Such a shame. Yours sounds a more viable proposition so do mail over those photos if no one grabs it in the meantime.

Grief mate, don't break it up... I can find a temporary home for it while it looks for a better one if necessary...I've posted it to the Classic and Vintage Forum, but need a phone number really...

Godfrey,  I will take photos of Siesta in the morning and send them to you.  I have another party who has already expressed an interest in her who will be sent the photos as well.  I am just keen for her to be restored and used again as I just do not have the time for either due to work commitments. Regards Paul

Jim, I am heartened by the responses I am getting.  I will see how the other two interested parties pan out and let you know. regards Paul (01494) 793022

Thanks guys for your support, 'Siesta' has now found a new home and will hopefully be sailing again in the future.

I have taken over "Siesta" from Paul, as we live near him and have the space to keep her. I'm not in a position to start work immediately (other projects, e.g. strip & revarnish MR 2011 "Muffet"). I've agreed with Paul that should I decide not to proceed with "Siesta" or find the work beyond my skills I will make the boat available again on exactly the same terms. Meanwhile she will be preserved! Alan

Alan, I don't know if Siesta is able to be sailed at all yet but at the Vintage weekend at Shearwater at the end of September, I'm hopeing to organise the saturday to include a trophy for boats sailed with contempory cotton sails. I think we have about four of five boats so far with cotton sails and mostly merlins. If She floats fancy coming down? For more info see cvrda.org then look on forum-events.
Good luck, 
Chris
Merlin 6 and 507

Alan - Chris B didn't add that he is the cvrda (Classic and Vintage Racing Dinghy Association) expert in restoring old Merlins and is being given an RYA community award for his efforts. If you need any advice just ask in a post on the cvrda forum. There's no formalities about membership, just join in and post your questions.

Chris and Pat, thanks for your comments. Regrettably Siesta isn't in a fit state to sail so I will have to give September's cotton sail event a miss this year. However if Chris likes to email me, I may have another eligible boat....not a Merlin though. Thanks for the offers of advice I shall certainly need some - first query, the boat has built in buoyancy. That's not original, is it, I thought class rules didn't allow it until 1968ish? My objective in restoring the boat will primarily to return to original spec not to make her the fastest thing afloat. I'm fortunate that my other Merlin (Muffet, 2011) has all her original 1967 rig and fittings.

The first bow tank Merlin Rocket was Tony Lane's 1926 A Chippendale -Hull Avalon Boats decked - Proctor mk 9.In 1966 Which proved the point to the AGM. A few of us retrofitted bow tanks it certainly extended the racing life of 1523.