MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Nationals 2009

At risk of seeming overly keen, any ideas for dates for Whitstabubble in '09?

Ace champs in Looe, come on you old boats, come and play too.


Posted: 25/08/2008 21:45:31
By: Andy Hay - Enchantment 3386
Dates now confirmed Sunday 16 - Friday 21 August (see earlier post). Thinking about a practice race on the Saturday.

Following the Looe experience we are proposing one race a day starting at 1100. Options of A,B C or D courses with 90degree gybe angles.

Jon Silk (ex Armed Forces/Batto) will be PRO assisted by Colin Smith (his dad invented the gate start but we won't be doing that!). Jon RO'd the ST this year.

More details to follow after we have had time to consider the lessons learned from Looe which was a fantastic event. A very difficult act to follow - bit like London after Bejing!


Posted: 25/08/2008 23:35:53
By: JC
Can't see earlier post of Nationals 2009


Posted: 29/08/2008 09:23:29
By: Merlin man
Not sure where it was but Mr Cooper kindly responded to my earlier enquiry prior to Andy's request.

Now all I have to do is start negotiations with my wife regarding a bucket and spade holiday in Whitstable and a new boat......!


Posted: 29/08/2008 09:46:11
By: Chris Rathbone
If you love sea food you will love Whitstable, book accomodation early as it gets busy in the summer months. Looked today most places will take a £50.00 deposit to hold a house!


Posted: 29/08/2008 09:50:16
By: Merlin man
Following up the call for old boats as Gannet (No 252) is a Rocket design and intended originally for sea sailing it might be fun to come to a Championships BUT she has no certificate and no measurers in Scotland!!  Might be fun


Posted: 29/08/2008 10:01:18
By: Garry R
Your old one (3386) was doing remarkably well in the conditions!  Thought it was meant to be a river boat?


Posted: 29/08/2008 10:02:20
By: Andrew M
Garry,

Hoping to have 908 up and running early 2009 and considering Whitstable, lovely spot and great sailing as long as it does not blow too hard from the North!

If enough enthusiasm can be drummed up for older/vintage boats to enter is there the possibility of a 3 day event being run similar to Hayling in 2005?


Posted: 29/08/2008 10:27:53
By: Richard Battey
Dear Andrew,
No, Enchantment was actually designed for weight and for big wind and seas. Initially, the downwind performance was a bit disappointing but we dropped the transom and this improved things quite a bit. Unfortuately, due a number of unforeseen circumstances, Enchantment spent most of her sailing life with me sailing inland but that was not the intention!!
I believe that Andy may be considering a few mods to the hull, having discussed with Hugh Welbourne. No doubt he'll fill you in with the details.
Chris


Posted: 29/08/2008 10:35:36
By: Chris Rathbone
hey! 
the merlin champs 2009 group is now on face book cheak it out and join!!!

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=71095450602&ref=ts

Posted: 29/08/2008 12:20:21
By: hamish kilburn
Chris R - would be great for you to race against your old boat at Whitstable (he he he). Already got the week in the diary, just need some more "mature" boats to play with - it really was fun racing against brand new Winders and beating them.


Posted: 29/08/2008 16:21:58
By: Andy Hay - Enchantment 3386
I know its early days. But would anyone roughly the format for the nationals 09. i.e races per day and duration. (if i'm to go I need to make it a family trip) Its important for me to know how much time I can give to my family in between events.


Posted: 31/08/2008 21:58:06
By: Jon 3581
See 2nd post above!


Posted: 01/09/2008 07:13:29
By: .
Please note that the proposals in the second post are just that - our proposals.  In due course we will seek guidance from the MROA committee.  We will put on whatever the class wants.

The dates however have been approved.


Posted: 01/09/2008 08:59:11
By: JC
Note change of name  and best wishes to Jon Silk .


Posted: 02/09/2008 10:19:13
By: former whitstable pro
2 x Merlins booked accomodation from Brightlingsea, we look forward to doing our first Merlin Nationals!


Posted: 02/09/2008 10:43:03
By: Craig

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