Can anyone let me know if there are any Merlins based at Hamble River at the moment? Or anywhere else around Southampton water?
Looking at getting back into Merlins again and wondered where the Southampton boats are based?

Hi James,

We are a merlin sailing out of Lymington, not far from Hamble or Southampton.  Feel free to drop me an email, happy to introduce you to Lymington.

Lou
MR 3683

Hi james....Although Hamble is no longer a spiritual home for merlins, just around the corner in Southampton Water there is a real resurgance in the Class with both Netley and Weston having boats (Tony B-Dale has just purchased the Honeymoon) so you'll be in good company.

Dougal

Do you know which of Netley or Weston is better, I'm looking for a new club as I've moved to Winchester to sail my Merlin and Albacore

The nearest sizeable fleet is Hayling Island. Very enthusiastic bunch with 6-7 boats with sail No's over 3700.....

So how many in Netley and how many at Weston. Looks like potentially 2 new boats could be coming to either of these clubs. I like Parkstone, Lymington etc but feel that they are just a little too far from Winchester to drive each weekend. Would prefer somewhere in Southampton.

Fine if you dont mind the smell of Fawley. The further west you go the sweeter the air.

James....both clubs have their good points and bad. If I had to do a one line description I'd say Weston is an out and out racing club, whilst Netley has a great deal more in the way of a 'family club' to it, along with a buoyant youth scene. One other consideration is that Netley has camping on site, so at the weekend in the summer you can stay down, BBQ in the evening at the waters edge and then not have to worry about getting home - even to Winchester!. You might well get your a8se handed to you on a plate out afloat as  the likes of Ben McGrane and Roz are sailing Dory there, Dan Holman sails his punk/I14 from Netley but from what we hear, these two may well be joined by 2 more competitive Merlins.
D

James, I gather you are Winchester too, either of the two are fairly close together so wouldnt make any difference in travel

Thanks for the info guess I will go down and check both clubs out and prepare for next season!

I have found out that there are already 3 Merlins sailing from Netley. Not sure of the sail numbers though.

Weston and Netley are only a couple of miles apart so Merlins could easily sail together whichever club you choose. Weston does have more races (and plenty more this year right up to the New Year and starting again in February), a £50k grant to repair and extend the central slipway, camping, spaces in the boat park, no joining fee and 20% discount on subsequent years fees for full members. I sail MR 3485 from Weston and crew Albacore 6918, also based there.

3739 is based at Netley. 
Merlins sailed at Weston this year: 
3485 (J Turner - Canterbury Tales), 2434 (a restored Phil Morrison - September), 3551 (Holt/Jackson - Honeymoon)

I will come down to both clubs and have a look round. Looking at buying boat in the next few weeks so will be ready for early next year. Will not have time to go sailing for the rest of this year as there is too much going on sadly.

Hi Laurence
I own Wicked 3708 a Laurie Smart built Callaghan Hazardous 09 and Alb 7923 an Alan Jackson(Chipstow)in wood looking for a new club, Netley/Weston would be ideal

Rob let me know which club you go for as would like to join a club which is regularly sailing with a group of Merlins so we can have some good close racing.

Interesting that Weston will have a longer slipway.
Does that mean launching and racing will be much less dictated by tides?
Most of the clubs between Lymington and Hayling are quite tidal.

I am currently sailing 3587 at Locks, on Langstone Harbour. It's the only Merlin there, but we have RS400's to chase.

Sadly weston will remain more constrained by tide - but set against this they have an extra 150m of 'space' so that when the wind is onshore you get a slightly longer beat. At springs, both clubs have a windown of opportunity for sailing - at neaps Netley can sail pretty much around the clock

D

Southampton Sailing Club currently have 1 Merlin Rocket but would welcome more.

I have had a look at both Weston and Netley. I am picking up my Merlin in the new year and have chosed Weston for a few reasons. Firstly there are 3 others already there and the club has a good sailing programme all year round. Secondly the club is looking at refurbishing over the coming years with new club house and more slip ways and who knows maybe one day in the future may host a Merlin event?