MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Help finding first rocket!

Hi 

I am new to the class and am looking for a reasonably competitive boat mainly for inland events on a limited budget.

After a bit of research and several hours spent scouring though adverts, I think an early Tales would best suit my budget of around 3k and crew weight of not much over 20 stone, is this correct? If so what should I be looking for?

Two specific boats have caught my eye, one a turner FRP and one a woodward, would there be much difference between these two builders? The turners seem a little more expensive, is this just because of the fact the hulls are FRP, or are they faster?

I have also decided to view a thin ice design due to the convinience of it being located close by. The design guide says these are better at carrying weight than the tales but does this also mean they are not as good for light weight teams?

Cheers James


Posted: 14/07/2011 22:44:19
By: James Morley
It depends what you class as inland!!!  If you are talking a narrow river a Tales, may not be the best, however, in your budget, on wider rivers and bigger puddles, it may be the Mutts Nuts...  Now, I may be going against the thinking of most in class, but having sailed most designs, as crew, I still feel that a Smokers Satisfaction, seems to give the best performance on all waters.  I would suggest that a Tales, and the ilk are better on big waters.

But at the end of the day, it is all down to the team in the boat... A good boat does not make a poor sailor good... BUT, a poor boat can make a good sailor poor..

It may be worth considering, sailing a Smokers for a year, as you are new to the class, Merlins, are one of the best dinghies to sail, but take a bit of practice (teamwork wise). Also, with a Smokers, you could, compete in the classic series and the CVRDA events, which also have a great social side. (Not that any, Merlin sailing does not have a great social scene!!). However, as DH and myself proved last year, on the CVRDA circuit, after two sails we won an event in a Smokers, but we have both served our time learning Merlins, and they are a great boat to sail, and reward, when you get it right.. However, I am sure all will agree, get it wrong, and the boat lets you know!!!

However, good luck on finding the ideal boat, it is a bit like finding the ideal woman - and I haven't acheived that yet!!

Jon


Posted: 15/07/2011 00:07:56
By: Jon711
In a fleet of modernish boats you are very unlikely to win on a moderate sized water in a period Smoker in anything over a force 1. In handicap racing - preferably off the adjusted number - you will be OK, likewise in a fleet of similar boats up to NSM II age roughly.

The Tuner built Tales used to be boat everyone aspired to. They still carry a premium price, but less so than they used to! They probably represent the cheapest path to a hull very similar to a new Winder, but the flipside is that being so competetive for so long they have led hard lives and may need a little tidying up.


Posted: 15/07/2011 07:22:32
By: Chris M
Thin Ice. Not that many are seen doing the circuit anymore. They tack very nicely and are vice free and easy to sail. The percieved weak point is the three sail planing reach where the Tales seems to have an edge.

They went out of fashion when the Winder CT arrived, had someone taken a mould off one things could have been very differant.


Posted: 15/07/2011 07:32:25
By: Chris M
I agree with Chris M's comments regarding the Canterbury Tales and Thin Ice designs. Another boat that you might consider is the Type 42 (Phil Morrison) design which is for sale  and seems to have been loved and carboned up and fits your price range.

I had this boat built by Laurie Smart and won the River Championships at Bourne End three years in a row. A compromise between the NSM2 and the NSM4, the boat was a dream to sale and I will admit to being tempted to buy her back on several occasions.

Chris


Posted: 15/07/2011 10:43:07
By: Chris Rathbone
If you are thinking of a Smokers and if you are talking about Restricted Waters you could not do much better, then Tobacco Road is the boat for you.

With some investment on new sails she could well remain a very competetive boat.

See boats for sale.


Posted: 15/07/2011 23:28:15
By: Bob Deacon
Also look at Cream Cracker 2997 (see for sale list) a very competitive well sorted boat.


Posted: 16/07/2011 22:16:50
By: Helpful
If I was back in the market with a 3K budget I'd be seriously looking at Terrabyte.

Out of interest, and lacking any yearbooks where I am, who was she built for and how fast did she go?

Cheers,

Jon


Posted: 18/07/2011 05:50:35
By: Jon E
Terrabyte was at Salcombe last week and going very nicely (though the week we had not the best for assessing boatspeed!).  The Woodward Tales, Slap & Tickle, hasn't got the record and has not had the work done that Terrabyte has, I have a vague memory of sailing it at Salcombe when Tom Perkins couldn't get down for the 1st couple of races.  I tested the buoyancy and it all worked OK, a serviceable club boat.


Posted: 18/07/2011 09:27:39
By: Andrew M
+1 Rowsell Thin-Ice - lovely boats, very quick downwind.


Posted: 18/07/2011 10:59:15
By: Stud Muffin
Terrabyte is a Jon Turner foam sandwich built in 1991 for Dos Frohlich.


Posted: 18/07/2011 13:27:10
By: Mike Liggett
Terrabyte is as close to a Winder Tales that you will get without actually buying one. SHe has has all the underwater sections updated and she is in good order. I personally would look at this and the Thin Ice, and I think I might be very tempted by the Thin Ice given the restricted water I sail on and My weight!


Posted: 19/07/2011 09:23:35
By: Jez3645

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