Hello,
I would very much like to build a copy of Kate.  Are detailled plans for hull, rigging, etc. somewhere available ?
Thanks,
Patrick

Hi Patrick


In the first instance your best bet would be to contact Mervyn Allen who restored and owns MR1, his contact detaiuls are:

Mervyn Allen

Work - 0208 2318911

He is a very useful chap and a font of information and i'm sure he will put on the right course.

Good luck, and if you do build the boat be sure to take pictures of the progress and forward them to Mags our Website guru.

Actually, don't copy 'Kate' too carefully - she isn't technically class legal I believe, she was the prototype.

I think that Mags is right.  The first true Merlin I believe was - yes you guessed it Merlin!!  She is in the Maritime museum.  The dimensions are the same as ISKA No 6 owned and sailed with cotton sails by Chris Barlow.  She is probably the most original Merlin around with the original decks, mast, lead tipped centreboard (although cut as per the rules)  at 22'6" and with the metal buoyancy tanks under the side decks.  She was also built by Jack Holt. My own boat 111 was built by Woottens but has more planks than Iska and is rivetted and roved rather than clenched nails but she has had replacement ribs completely in the cockpit area.  Note too that a restored No 36 is currently for sail complete with 25' mast, new sails and in great condition - details from Chris Barlow again.

Some time ago, I heard that the National Maritime Museum at Falmouth had gotten hold of a number of Jack Holts plans. I cannot tell  you if Merlin's in amongst these - it might though be worth a call there.

David

Isn't the Merlin at the NMM "Gypsy"?

Gypsy is the first National 12. Merlin is the first Merlin and IS in the museum displayed in a rather odd way, but then it is not the worlds best museum.

Merlin, no 2, isn't in very original condition. for instance the centreboard slot has been lengthened to take a more modern pivoting board not the the original weighted rolling one (which would not be allowed under modern rules). As someone has pointed out  Kate would not fit the merlin rules and nor would the original Merlin design either in fact. Unfortunately I assume that even a replica built today would have to follow the current rules not the rules of 1946 if you want it to be a certified Merlin Rocket. I have No. 6 (by the way its first name was Replica, not Iska). You would be welcome to take measurements. I also have a copy of the original rules and outline drawings which I can photocopy for you.
Chris

I did mean in my post that Iska was the most original (not Merlin) as even the decks have not been replaced and are wafer thin.

By the way Garry the centreboard isn't 22'6 long as you suggest above!!! (unless the boat is upside down)

I see more of the centreboard than the mast!!  Dangers of cut and paste!!!

Don't you use epoxy?
Paste seems a bit too retro.

Great suggestions and comments so far.
I find Kate as a prototype really nice and interesting and it is not my intention to race it, so class rules are of no importance to me.  So, original data and measurements would be most welcome.
Does someone also have an e-mailaddress of Mervin Allen ?
Thanks, Patrick.

Patrick,


sent you an email with Mervyn's info. Think its current.

Patrick, if you build a replica of Kate it shouldn't be a problem racing her as Mervyn races Kate in the vintage wing series and took her to the 60th anniversary champs in Hayling Island back in 2005.