MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Boat info please

Hello Guy,
   I have just recently bought A Merlin Rocket but don't have any info. The boat number is 3227, As I have been looking for one for a long time i rushed in without having a good look around.
lots of rot, lots of filler and lots of work to be done but cracking through nicely.
I have just tried to add a pic but not sure how to properly  


Posted: 28/09/2019 20:32:16
By:
She is an NSM1 design with Omega hull built by Rowsell of Exmouth in early 1980s.  I had her from early 90s until 2001 or 2 and she was sailed at Banbury SC before I sold her to someone (a dentist?) In north west.
 
She was always fast in light airs.  A very comfortable sail with no vices.
 
If i remember correctly she was originally bought as a bare hull by Cockerill's father and fitted out by him.  The Omega hull was an early experiment by Rowsell into foam sandwich hulls and only some 8-10 boars were built mainly because later designs superceded the NSM1.
 
I have probably got pictures of her sailing if they are of interest.   Let know if you have any questions.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Posted: 30/09/2019 22:11:01
By: Richard G Turner
Forgot to add that her name is Super Trouper (remember the Abba song).  When last heard of she was up for sail in Liverpool but that was at least 12 years ago.
 
From the photo, most of the wood problems seem to be on forward and sidedecks.  Also some pillock has obviously bought a job lot of yellow control line.  When i had her, they were all different colours which make it much easier to pull the right one.
 
Has someone cut a large hatch in the bow tank?  Can see a white circle on the photo.


Posted: 30/09/2019 22:37:59
By: Richard G Turner
Wow thank you for the info it's great, her name will be super trouper again !! Yes a hatch has been cut with a blow up air bag under neath, I'm thing just to fiberglass right over the top. I'm just waiting on the weather to move on, I've bought new lines to replace the yellow too. If you do have any pics I'll try and put the same colour back, the top wood was badly stained with weather so I've rubbed down and put a coat of under coat on. My email address is [email protected] if you do find any pics, I've not even had her rigged ?? Be nice to see what I'm aiming towards lol thanks again, mike


Posted: 03/10/2019 22:22:34
By: Mike Arnopp
theres nothing wrong with having a hatch, its a good way of letting air circulate when the boat isnt in use.
 
presumably the bag was put in because the tank was leaking badly. Its unlikely to be from the hull but look for repairs on the bottom of the stem just in case. 
 
 The Omega hulls were light and pretty solid - one of the better examples of GRP from that time period! The later GRP NSM IIs were nowhere near as good imo.


Posted: 04/10/2019 07:54:26
By: Chris Martin
Shame about the hatch.  When i had her, there was no leak to the front buoyancy.  In fact you could get a pop when you took the stopper out.
 
Will dig back through my files and find some photos.  I should have those from when i sold her which may well have pictures of the interior layout: the control line cleats and main sheet jammer look to be the same even though someone has bulk bought yellow string.
 
The mast is a Superspars as is the boom.  There should be twin ally spinnaker poles to the ,new 90s length (i think i saw the original length poles in the roof of my shed the other day).
 
I will have a dig around and see what i can find.  By the  way, where are you located?  I am near Southam in Warwickshire.


Posted: 06/10/2019 21:16:18
By: Richard G Turner
Thank you Richard, just to also say thank for the pictures. they came through and looked far better condition then than now lol lots of work this end 


Posted: 17/10/2019 21:52:17
By: mike

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