Does anyone know anything about the history of this boat (currently for sale)?  I'm interested in it but the current owner doesn't know anything much about it before he bought it.  It has an unusual cut out foredeck & aluminium spaceframe.

GT is your man, he did the original conversion...........

GT?  Sorry - new to the Merlin scene!

This was Glen Truswells old boat.  A rowsell omega II ?   Nice boat. well sorted and looked after in its day.

It was my first Merlin, I had it 1990 to 1995 ish?

It was a well built/looked after boat and a trusty stead in which I was fortunately enough to win a Silver Tiller Open. (I believe it was 13 or 14 years old at that point)

The partial space frame sub deck was engineered and built in to the boat by myself but constructed by the world champion motor bike and sidecar constructor of the day. It was T6 aviation grade alloy not anodized, but polished and waxed to a mirror finish. (Although I guess this may look pretty tatty by now?) At this point the boat was made to be deck stepped and we added new Number One Sails and a "special" acid etched M7 mast. As far as Alu. masts go, it was an absolute beauty as it had the same wall thickness as the M1 but a larger O.D so more gust response while inhibiting over bending.

The boat was bang on weight at that time.

The only ongoing challenge the boat provided was related to localized compression witness marking on the outer hull shell. These boats really didn't like localized point loading i.e.: traveling many thousands of miles "Silver Tillering" in their elder years.

I never saw the boat again after selling it in 1995 and often wonder where it ended up or what sort of condition it was is in, but in many ways didn't want to. (having many fond memories of it!)

I am sure you understand.

Just seen the picture posted!

Unbelievably, other than the decks looking a little more aged, the boat remains exactly the same as when I last saw it! (i.e.: Not bodged about - Including all fixtures and fittings etc.)

If it in half the condition it appears to be, it a hell of a buy for under £1000!

Sadly I have too many nostalgic projects on at the minute!

Thanks for all that - It's top of my interest list for my first Merlin!

3284 Enola Gay is a Phil Morrison designed NSM Smokers Satisfaction built by Rowsell Bros probably in 1983. She was built for John Shorrock of Bristol Corinthian YC at that time.
Before the 1985 Year Book was published he had sold her to L. Myers of 63 Branston Rd, Burton on Trent, Staffs and Burton SC.

For clarity though it was most certainly an NSM1 not a Smokers Satisfaction or an NSM2!

I purchased it from the aforemention chap at Burton.

Would that have been a Windle fabrication?  They were the Winders of the sidecar racing fraternity, as I recall from my bum-scraping-on-the-tarmac days.

Well done that man! as best I call recall, it was!

I realise there's a bit of a gap since the last post but thought you might be interested to know we bought 3284 in Feb this year- my first Merlin... 

She's been in the workshop to strip and re-varnish along with some minor repairs. Currently restringing and we're hoping to have her in the water next weekend. Still very sound hull and while the alu is looking a little tired is still doing the job. 

She'll be sailing at Walton & Frinton Yacht Club (along with 3248 and two other Merlins). If we/she proves up to it you may see us further afield. 

Will try and post some photos shortly...

Hi all,
I dont know if anyone will see this but I have just bought this boat for an absolute bargain at 380 pounds! 
In very good condition for her age other than a couple of small "war wounds" on the deck. 
Looks to have been restringed very recently as well as alot of recent fixings. Also has a couple of sets of sails, one set looks brand new!
She will be on the water next Saturday and if anyone is interested I will get some pictures. 
Liam

Now had a chance to look over 3284 after picking her up from Barrow in Furness yesterday. Following on from Glen Truswell's posts the aluminium frame is looking a bit shabby but some Scotchbrite will get rid of a lot of the marks and oxidation. Then a rewax or lacquer. The No1 sails are still present and crisp albeit quite old by now and it also has a Batt laminate main and dacron jib. Hull wise appears quite sound, there has been a repair on the bow but the decks are showing their age and there are a couple of dubious repairs that will need refixing.
The plan is to try and sail in some of the Vintage events later this year once we're sorted. 

Please do consider the class events too, we have added Bronze & Silver fleets as well as a classics fleet, 2410 has been a welcome sight at two Silver Tiller events this season and I promise you would be warmly welcomed. 3442 has taken two Bronze fleet awards thus far and has twice finished mid fleet in 25+ boat fleets.