Reading all the discussion on tail enders and improving attendance at the nationals, it occurs to me that there might be room in the calendar for a few 'novices' events where the more timid/inexperienced among us might race alongside equally inept MR fans?!  Whilst the Rutland event is apparently very good, and we hope to go next year, it might still be intimidating to some (?) and perhaps a southern or northern training and novices race event might be worth a punt?. 
If you are interested (and haven't won anything!)let me know and I'll see what might be arranged at the WPNSA where we are now based.

Sounds good and just down the road from me!

Frinck, where are you based and can you drum up support from other novices?

OK, I have had some interest in this idea so have e-mailed various people to see if we can make it happen.  I will talk to WPNSA tomorrow to see what they might be able to do to help organise a weekend.  Would people prefer end of this year or a pre-season event next spring?

I would be up for this - but how do you define a novice? Perhaps one possibility would be  to identify an open regatta somewhere which will offer a class start for more than six boats like they have offered at Alton Water ( nr Ipswich) this week end. I guess many novices are sailing older but not necessarily vintage boats - late model NSMs perhaps. As a class the Merlin seems unique in having a lot of 20-35 year old boats still in commission. Just look at them all listed in the year book. They are seemingly absent - for reasons of competitiveness I - guess from most open events. With a top number cut off or with handicapping they might be encouraged to travel. Alton Water have agreed to apply the published "historic" yardstick for my boat 3340 this weekend and presumably would do the same for others. They have two open regattas a year. There must be other big reservoir clubs that do something similar.

Easily do-able from WPNSA without the problems of car parking and launching that are associated with sailing at Weymouth.

Also the Harbour at Portland gives better racing, in calmer water than the Bay with a 1 mile beat achievable with the wind in most directions. It is also only 15 mins max to the start area. 

  I seem to run most other classes there quite happily and the event could be a totally handicapped, one for both Vintage, and "older" boats normally sailed in clubs, but not " on the circuit' amongst the more modern [3600+] boats. Maybe call it a type of wooden tiller event.

I am sure that I can arrange a handicap system that encourages genuine older boats. 

If I am RO I can also offer 1074 and 3443 to anyone who doesn't want to trail theirs down.

Weston sailing club in Southampton has 5 merlins and the club would be delighted to host such an event. All 5 boats have not done much on the circuit. We have 1 older boat proctor I think, 1 NSM IV, 2 Canterbury Tales and 3551 Honeymoon design at the club.

What time of year were you thinking sure we could arrange an event like this for next year.

I am also based at Weston SC. I have a proctor MK15 at Hamble and this year brought a Turner tales (3477) as a stop gap to see if Merlins are the class for me before committing to £000s and buying a new(er) one. My boat is T1 and I believe the other is T8? A Merlin event at Weston would be great. We have flat water, wind and a start line 30ft from the bar. Happy to help organise something.

I think it would be great to organise something for the spring late Feb/early March next year.

Shall we get some weekends when the majority can take part then we can look to organise something with the club at Weston.

Think some Lymington boats would be up for attending too.

There is obviously some interest in the Weymouth/South Coast area for some training so can we get a show of hands for an event Feb/Mar time and indicate if fold would prefer Weymouth SC or WPNSA ?

I would like to take part in one of these events.

We are sorting some dates at Weston and as we already have a commitment that 4 boats are already here we will let you all know the weekend we choose and invite others to attend.

If there is an event being organised at Weston, we should perhaps all piggy-back that if we are invited?  Who is leading the training of an event at Weston?  I am happy to stump up some 'sponsorship' if you would like to get 'Tricky Dicky' to lead on this and he has indicated he would be happy to support an event.