I am considering getting back into Merlins and having recently moved to London I am looking at my options for the nearest/best club to join. I was wondering if someone could tell me what the fleet was like at Wembley? Is there good club racing for Merlins or would I be better going to Tamnmy?

Thanks for your help

This one is simple, if you're sailing a modern wide boat (Winder Tales etc) then Wembley, more classic wooden NSM2 or earlier then Tammy (huge and active Merlin fleet) or Hampton (smaller Merlin fleet than Tammy but better sailing conditions,...usually,..relatively).

No doubt Tammy, Hampton and Wembley members will have differnet opinions (shortly to be voiced) but this is mine.

Ta

Have a look at the current Yachts and Yachting issue - there is a  profile of Hampton.

Anon, why not visit the clubs concerned during their respective open meetings and see what you think?  Hampton 13th/14th Sept, Wembley 28th Sept, Tamesis 11th/12th October.  Just so you're aware, Tammy race all year round Sunday mornings at 11.15am and have a 10.30am handicap warm-up.

See also:

Dear Anon,

Richard Mourant gives good advice come and visit all the clubs - HAmpton, Tamesis, Minima, Welsh Harp Renelagh, etc. Each club is different; they all have their own unique feel and have their own individual benefits. 

At Hampton we generally sail on Sundays, with social sailing on Wednesdays.

There is a healthy rivalry between Hampton and Tamesis, but also, a healthy respect for each club.

I am sure both clubs would be delighted for you to visit.

great thanks for your replies guys

the fleet is going well at wembley will be down sunday if you would like to look

we race against the mrxs also which sharpens us up

the fleet is going well at wembley will be down sunday if you would like to look

we race against the mrxs also which sharpens us up

How you can say Hampton is better sailing water that Tamesis I'll never know... in point of fact they are all as bad as each other, but nice if the wind is in the right direction.

Hampton 1 Tamesis 0

As stated it is in my opinion, having sailed at both clubs on numerous occasions I have found that on average the conditions at Hampton are better than Tammy.

And if you can't be doing with tides and all that, Wembley is by far and away the best! I sailed there for nearly 2 years and I loved it. It certainly does have more of the new Winder CT boat.

To be honest all of the clubs are great and the sailing is great at all of them as all sailing generally is, it just depends what you want.

Yes and I found that sea a mile down the coast from Shoreham has better conditions than Shoreham ........in my humble opinion ;-)

Hampton and Tamesis are in the non-tidal part of the Thames above Teddington Lock, so don't have race time limitations dictated by low tide that Ranelagh experiences (and please, that isn't a pop at Ranelagh, as it has a wider reach with arguably freer wind conditions).  However, HSC and TC do get a bit of stream on the odd occasion which just adds its own challenges! ;)