MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Stability

Can someone tell me if there is any difference in the stability of the the NSM 1, NSM 2 and the NSM 4.
I am looking to sail mostly at sea and sometimes in difficult conditions.


Posted: 30/03/2011 17:02:43
By: pete
NSM2 the least stable of the 3 but the best weight carrier.  NSM4 probably the most stable in heavy weather.  I remember my 1st experience of championship sailing in an NSM2 very clearly.  A rather damp experience but highly enjoyable and we weren't last.  The Seventh Heaven variant of NSM2 (the Jon Turner wood ones and all the foam sandwich boats) is a bit wider & flatter at the transom which helps.


Posted: 30/03/2011 18:23:24
By: Andrew M
Personally I thought the II was the most stable of the three actually!

I've not sailed an NSM, I've sailed a couple of IIs and a Bob Hoare IV. To be honest they are all very well mannered boats and as merlins go pretty stable. Differing opinions on which is the most stable will most likely be due to who the people sailed with, and the sail plan which still varied a little back then.

Any of them will be an excellent introduction, the II is the best weight carrier but IV planes the fastest.


Posted: 30/03/2011 21:23:11
By: Chris M
Going to chuck my experience into this, I am a lower fleet sailor, mainly because I am a serious fat boy! any way my NSM and a mates NSM IV were very evenley matched at Looe in 2008 he was the better helm, arguably I had the better crew. The IV had much less weight in it yet there was little to choose between us when the wind and seas were big, smooth ponds and moderate wind he would clear off, flat calm brought us back together, we both had rags that were less than 6 months old. 
As Chris said any of them will give yaou a great intro, and to be honest if set up properly with a top helm any of the three would embarass many newer boats with average helms, this was ably demonstrated at Rutland training last year when 3190 pomptly went into warpdrive upwind.


Posted: 30/03/2011 23:29:51
By: Former 3190 owner
Elusive was (& still is) very quick upwind & running but lost out on the reaches.  The NSM1 I had before felt more stable but was a dog anyway.  Neither are as stable as Heaven Sent downwind in a blow but agree the NSM series are well-mannered boats with no serious vices and still a very good 1st Merlin and NSM2 one of the quickest on restricted water still.  Both rig & foils make a big difference to boat handling as for that matter does the set-up - lots of rake, half board and keep the boat dead flat when it blows is a good start.


Posted: 31/03/2011 10:13:51
By: Andrew M
Hoping for a repeat performance this year, but in the right direction this time.


Posted: 31/03/2011 15:47:37
By: Current 3190 Owner

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