Just hypothetically, you understand...but if I was a newcomer to Merlins (fair amount of experience in other classes) and had a keen but inexperienced crew (together we'll weigh about 150Kg (85 at the back))and a budget of about £8K should I:
a)Buy the best Winder I can afford so that I can't blame the boat? (Just the crew, sails, conditions, etc!)
or
b)Save some of my pennies and go for something in the £3K bracket?
Is a 'Tales IV suitable for us to cut our teeth on or am I setting us up to fail in a spectacular, but amusing for others, way?
PS We'll be sailing on the sea/estuary rather than on a pond.
Posted: 06/06/2009 13:55:34 By: AJG |
in my view just go for a winder even a 1st generation one with sail number circa 3555 preferably with chipstow rig.
Gut feeling may get one for something a little over £5k and can spend extra on new rags
Posted: 06/06/2009 18:24:56 By: Tosh |
Ignore the chipstow rig (sorry alan) it isn't going to make a blind bit of difference. Get a fibreglass winder because it will be as quick as you and re-saleable. Then go out an learn to sail the boat (bloody brilliant by todays experience). If you are then good (not me) you can spend a lot of money buying a new boat, sails, etc, etc,
I recommend Dan's training days - it really got me into the boat, where else can you tack so often, start so often, gybe so often??? Then you get someone tell you how to do it better!
Finally, have a beer and lots of people will talk to you - a lovely class.
Posted: 06/06/2009 18:59:34 By: DaveC |
Hurrah!
Posted: 08/06/2009 00:22:06 By: Could Do Better |
I notice that 3550 (She's a Cracker) is currently up for grabs at a very 'attractive price'. Would a Let it Ride carry our weight?
Posted: 08/06/2009 09:56:14 By: AJG |
Buy the best Winder you can afford
Posted: 08/06/2009 10:07:39 By: T.C |
Message received and understood!
Posted: 08/06/2009 10:28:57 By: AJG |
I belive She's a Cracker has been sold
Posted: 08/06/2009 11:10:00 By: Minx3711 |
Buy what you can afford. Any Merlin that isn't rotting will give you years of pleasure. (In fact, many owners have bought rotten hulls that STILL give them pleasure, weirdos....)
Posted: 08/06/2009 11:21:04 By: Mags |
3480 a ROTS II currently on eBay for peanuts in apparently quite good condition, would carry the weight and should go fast too.
Posted: 08/06/2009 17:41:28 By: Peter 3112 |
not as good condition as it looks
Posted: 08/06/2009 18:19:27 By: .. |
Looks like "Shes a Cracker" is back on Ebay again.
Posted: 08/06/2009 18:21:10 By: Andy Hay - Enchantment 3386 |
And a give away at £3,995 for a Rowsell rare 'Let it Ride'!!!
Posted: 08/06/2009 18:40:57 By: Richard Battey |
