Hi There

Would appreciate some honest advice.  I am looking to purchase a dinghy for next season.  I like the look of the MR.  Main problem that I see is that I would mainly be sailing singlehanded.  I have seen a few messages on this subject and it does seem possible, but how realistic is it?  I would be sailing inland (live in Bedford so somewhere localish, maybe Grafham)  I would be looking to basically have a blast around, sometimes just cruise around and maybe enter a few races.  Do you think that the MR is an appropriate boat or would I be better off going for something like a Solo.  Have not sailed properly for a few years so it's not as if i'm an expert and would appreciate any advice that anyone has to offer.

Many Thanks

Dan

Some people do sail Merlin's single handed at times, including myself once or twice, but they are really best double handed as they have lots of features for the crew such as spinnaker. The modern ones are also wide and have hoop that gets in the way, so if you do go for it I would think you should get a older narrow one with an end main, sort of mid 1960's era sail numbers 1200 ish. You can get these cheap, but you might need to be good at boat maintenance.

An RS300 is probably the closest you'll get to the MR 'look' in a singlehander. Nice pointy nose, nice fat beam!

I don't think you'll be able to race a Merlin officially - either the wind will be light and everyone will moan at you for the weight advantage, or the wind will be medium/strong and you'll be constantly overpowered.

What about a Harrier? Seem to remember that some illustrious Merlin designer penned this, also a newer creation that saw the light of day this year - I think there is a link on the forum somewhere..............

I think you need to work out whether you want a singlehander that you can occasionally take other people sailing in, or a two man boat you can occasionally sail singlehanded.

The most suitable singlehanded options would probably be a Solo or Laser.
Solos are a good choice as they are slighlty easier to sail something to bear in mind if you haven't sailed much recently and only expect to sail sporadically.  A Solo would also be suitable for taking other people for an occasional spin round the lake as would a Laser.  Lasers are lower maintenance and offer good fleet racing.  

If you really want a two man boat then the ones that will be able to sail singlehanded are probably Fireflies, Mirrors and maybe National 12s. I believe, although I am not sure, that the first two even have Portsmouth Yardsticks for singlehanded racing.

I don't think a Merlin is really the boat for you.

Thanks to everyone for the replies!!  I really appreciate the advice and looking at it maybe the Solo is the best boat right now.  Who knows once I convince my wife that water doesn't hurt maybe we can going sailing together and get the Merlin.  Good luck and thanks

dan

I've singled a Merlin many times; can get pretty exciting. Not my choice as a regular single-handed boat though.
Harrier? last time I saw one was 15 years ago!

If your under 75kg get a Europe. The Solo is hard work on a beat in a blow,(slams badly)and you should be up with the Lasers if not in front in any conditions sailing a Europe.