Hi All,
A friend of mine has come into ownership of a Merlin Rocket, 3162 'Enfant Terrible' (sp?) (lets hope it's not named that bacause of how she sails).
I am looking to see if i can find some history information about her.
We think she is an NSM1 built by Roswell (Exmouth).

We found her at Manley Mere near Chester (think there is an advert for her on this site) and are currently in the process of stripping her decks down to the sapele and giving her a fresh coat of varnish before hopefully getting her afloat in a month or so, in time for some 'Scorpian bashing' over the winter series. 

Any information would be fantastic

Thanks

John & Mark

built 1979, NSM1,designed by Morrison, built by Rowsells. in 1989 was owned by D. Garlick at Leigh & Lowton.

I think that belonged to Dave Griffiths. Didn't he have a decent Championship result in her?

Yes he did, he was 6th in 1980 at Weymouth.

Just found my year Book in my desk. Apart from the 6th at the Championships,Enfant Terrible was 5th in the Inlands in 1979, 3rd in the Inlands in 1980 and finished 3rd in the Silver Tiller Series overall in 1980. Not a bad yacht then!!!

Remember her brand new-white with that classic Rowsell thin red line on top plank.

Hi all. Sounds like she has a bit of history behind her. She is still White (looks very finely brushed) with a fine dark blue pinstripe. She is in good condition, decks a bit tatty. Looks like she has had an impact on the port side where the crew would be seated. Has only taken a chunk out the the outer fold of the gunnel however, has been held on by had tape for a while. We can fix this quite easily. As we are both new to the class we are unsure about the rear quarters where the deck flattens a widens. Seems a bit structurally weak, by design? The deck seems to lack support and you can easily deflect it. Guessing the helm doesn't sit quite that far back. She has lost her spinny and pole(s) at some point and the jib isn't great. Mainsail the old Dacron type, decent condition though. Any more information about her at all would be appreciated or even any pictures (unlikely but possible) which club was she at is during her successful years? Fantastic reply so far, and so quick. Thankyou to everyone who has replied so far. John & Mark

John, If you e-mail me your details and I will add you to the boats history!

Jeremy Deacon
Keeper of Class Records

Not structurally weak by design particularly but if all the joints have loosened & the deck is coming off it will be very flexible.  The rigidity here is from the deck structure particularly the carlins on the inside of the deck.  I hope you have a lot of clamps; you will need them!  Yes the helm does sit that far back on a run in a blow, with the crew on the other side hoping it will ease a bit before you get to the Ferry Inn at Salcombe so you can put in the gybe

Unfortunately she was built a year or so earlier than when epoxy glues came into use.  Also before the change to low bow tank which stiffened the mast/ shroud area of the hulls. Might be worth talking to Jim Hopton who recently restored 3194 (another Rowsell NSM).  If I was you I wouldn't bother with all the complexities of deck stepping/ raking rigs you'll get best results for time spent by concentrating on  achieving a sound hull and fittings and updating the poles/kite to new size.

Re your question about club Dave Griffiths' home club was South Yorks Sailing Club near Sheffield but in the late 70's he was mainly sailing the Silver Tiller circuit.  He moved to Leigh and Lowton Sailing club in the early 80's then changed class (505 then cats) late 80's.  He had new boats regularly and replaced 3162 with NSM2 3230 (Turncoat) so named because it was one of the first boats John Turner built under his own name after leaving Rowsells.

Yes I was the first owner and kept her for 2 years and sold her to Roy Dewsnap who sailed at Bolton Sailing Club.She was a standard Rowsell NSM1.She did not suffer  any damage whilst I had her.Let me know if you want any more info([email protected]).I do not have any pictures of her.