If anyone is still awake and the bar has not run out of beer I would like to throw the following into the mix. The Class has very successfully developed a not-inconsiderable pot of gold which I guess should be used for the benefit of the Class. To this end, I would like to suggest some thoughts:

1. The Committee purchase and present a suitable prize along the lines of a "Spirit of Innovation Award" - with a goal of furthering the evolution of the Merlin Rocket. Past winners might have included Dave Winder for the One-String, Lawrie Smart for the foam cored plywood use on Smart Tart, etc. I am sure you get my point - if we do not have people challenging the fashion then we will truely evolve into a manufacturers one design.

2. The International 14 has, seemingly successfully, introduces a scheme whereby the Class Association purchased three "reasonably competitive" I14s, held an open competition for under 21s (I think) and used these to encourage people into the class. The obvious Merlin alternative would be to get three Winder MK1s (I am sure that the class sailmakers could provide new rags) and do a similar thing. 

Worth interupting your beer for at the AGM on Saturday evening, even after the Cat C debate?

Just to clarify... the International 14's didn't purchase three fourteens, they were 'lent' to the class for a season, by owners of more than one boat.  The competition was open to under 30's and Hyde Sails lent jibs to each boat on the basis that the sailors use Hyde sails for the season.  It has been hugely successful in attracting new blood to the class, as all of those who have 'won' boats for the year are planning on purchasing second hand fourteens this winter and continuing with the class.
The Fourteens are planning on running the same event next year and in future years.

I think they were actually under 35!!

Great idea Andy, but they must be sure of the facts, the one string system was around in merlins 8-9 years before the winders had it.

Regarding the Int 14 "youth trials", they have been hailed as a success and one of them came 4th in POW Week.  Others who didn't get the loan boats, did buy their own, older but perfectly competitive boats. I'm sure these lads are under 30.  We looked at the POW fleet in 2004 during the North Berwick POW and found only 3 helms under 30 and most of the helms there were late 30 to 40 something stalwarts of many years.

In terms of the Merlins, you have been successful in bring youth into the class, so maybe you don't need such an initiative.  New Merlins are similarly expensive to new 14s,(but what a lot of boat you get) which must mean the youths are mainly crews and not boat owners (although an affordable 15 year old Merlin is still quite competitive, unlike a old 14).  There are parallels with the 14 situation but I'd say the MR class is more advanced in its programme to get young sailors in the class for a number of reasons - a less extreme boat to sail and a good depth of older boats still sailing competitively perhaps?

Actually its quite sad that only 25 14's did pow this year. 15 boats were sailed by helms in the 40-50 age bracket who were definately in the class of '88 when the bowsprits first appeared. I remember doing POW in 1991 in Torquay 138 boats. Just ask yourselves the question, what has happened???????? They have tried to be all skiffy and compete with more pro boats 49's etc, sailing has diversified, sailing has become cheaper than 14 sailing. Putting silly stickers on your main and pretending you are russell coutts when you are really a double glazing salesman doesn't do anything for a class, look at the B14's , they look like the ads in the middle of a good movie...how many people like  to see that. Please preserve the Merlin class with its amateur status and don't make your gorgeous boat look like those shocking B 14's.Keep it clean and keep some dignity, there is zero value in sponsoring a merlin sailor, because there is actually no such thin g at this level. The only people who care about the results and pictures are the sailors themselves..face it and stop kidding yourselves and if you can't afford it sail an RS200...but in the meantime preserve the club sailing, travel less to maintain the strength of the class.....the end!!

"club sailor" what a lot of common sense!

When I was on the committee, and then Chairman in 86 we were always being pressed to go trapezing, asymetric, 4 plank, smooth skin etc.
Its very refreshing to know that the class has only adopted mostly the sensible things. I was always against Carbon Spars but have changed my mind on that one - I thought that carbon just for the sake of lightness (rudders and plates) - should be banned - not sure if it is - just makes things more expensive with minute advantages.

And the Silver Tiller format makes an all rounder boat the norm. If we had specialist boats for the sea, and restricted I wonder what extreme boats might appear.

It is this common sense approach to the rules that keeps the Merlin probably one of the most beautiful Hi Tech boats in the world - and seems to attract the best and friendliest sailors around.

Which at my advancing age I have bought another one.

Well said "club sailor"

It seems to me both Gurn and Club Sailor speak very good common sense and that again the Merlin Rocket class could lead the way to even  "decent" sailing and enjoyment of it. By which I do not imply the class has yet left that spot.

I'm not sure that the investment in boats suggested above would be good for the class. We'd do better encouraging more try a boat activities, maybe encouraging high profile sailors to have a go - think Lewis Hamilton in Round the Island - sailing's never had so much press coverage.
Also do the Merlins have a Crews' Race? Encouraging crews to take the helm leads to them getting their own boat and bringing in new crews....

As for numbers in the POW - is the credit crunch and price rises having an effect here? Are there signs that sailing weeks are becoming too expensive or just certain classes starting with the more extreme and expensive classes??

Great to hear some common sense from "Club Sailor" and "Gurn" , I don't sail a merlin to rub shoulders with "up themselves" rock stars Its a myth that full class C will benefit sailors with second hand cast offs. It would completley change the class, which has proven so successful over the past five years whilst most other "conventional" classes have struggled.I suspect club sailors would soon jump class.