There is an old MK 9 (1376) on ebay that needs some TLC. Could be a good buy.

There is also a very nice looking Rowsell NSM 2 on there

Transom does not look like a MkIX more like a Bob Hoare XII?  Will need a bit of dedication to get it going again.  The NSM2 looks a good one though if you want a river boat

I asked the owner what number was carved into the boat and was told 1376. The book says it is a Mark 9 although I would agree that it does not look like it from the back.

The 1962 Year Book shows 1376 as a Wyche and Coppock built Mk 1X.
She was also named 'Mark Nine' and was at Waveney and Oulton Broad YC.

I am bidding on the nsm2 have fancied a merlin for yrs my local puddle used to have a decent fleet when I was a lad in the 80's 
If I am successful I will be racing her in our wed night summer series, which is nearly always light shifty conditions on a 45 acre lake 
Is this boat likely to be competitive in a mainly laser, enterprise handicap fleet on such a small puddle?

I think the "mk ix" is a national 12 personally.

If it is a 12, its a Mk 3a and called Dancing Girl built by Chippendale

The name on the transom looks like it might say dancing girl. Very hard to tell though, looks like a hard project but one that has potential

If it is a 12 then the ebay tape measure really is miles out this time.

I thought it might be a 12 but apparently it is 15ft long which is closer to a Merlin. I can understand being 1ft out but 3ft?

Steve. Yes, it is probably the best design for your needs ironicly. I would snap it up if I were you.

I saw the Mk9 imposter tonight and she is indeed a nice old National 12 and she does have Dancing Girl written on the stern.

She has no sails and no rudder, but there are 2 wooden booms and a Proctor mast with a wheely thing at the base for the kicker, just like my merlin 950 - only its complete.  Standing rigging seems to be all there.

She needs a full redeck and gunnels.....No she needs to be put somewhere undercover for some months to dry out before you can ascertain the full extent of the water damage although I did not detect any soft spots low down in the hull.  There is some rot at the bows just below the deck you can push you finger through - the top hull plank is rotten for the first foot of its length and the stem will have to be reglued as well.  

On the plus side, you will probably get all the rest of the varnish off with a hair drier.....And since the deck will be comming off you will be easily able to do the front.

I personnally think she is just about redeemaable, but will have to be a labour of love and you will not be sailing her this year.  I also suspect it will cost you more than she'll ever be worth.  But that is always par for the course - isn't it.  

Steve Hawkins

I purchased the nsm2 on eBay 
Picking her up tomorrow and bring her back to west London - she should feel at home as she is an ex wembley boat
Will prob be back on here tomorrow for all sorts of rigging advice there seems to be an awful lot of spaghetti in the photos!