Merlin 3102 currently on Ebay, Tony Lock built Satisfaction, appears to need a winters strip back and tlc. cheap ride for someone shame to let it rot.

111 went for £212!  pre rocket merlin

Ah regards 111 - they ain't making them any more out of solid mahogany and it would be a shame to have let that one rot too!! It's a piece of history.  Will let you know how I get on with the restoration!!!  

Garry

2 days 17 minutes left! £150.00 highest bid so far!

greetings potluck!

congrats on getting your hands on 111 - i was trying to bid but lost my connection a couple of minutes before the end, but i'm glad it's gone to a good home - if you have second thoughts, i'll be up there with my trailer in no time! ( i said i was looking for an old one!)

keep us informed......

john

It is good to see that the enthusiasts are chasing the classic and vintage boats on Ebay

I have an old boat I've been trying to get on the for sale list for a couple of weeks now, if anyone is interested?

From what I have found out, I believe it is 2739, a September Girl from 1974. But no one can be sure!

Am open to any offers, preferably over £100 we need to get rid of it cause I've just bought 3494 and need the space.

Anyway, there you go.

HAF

Hi, I'm the new owner of 3102, Brigand of Blackstone. I'm planning to restore her over this winter and introduce my son to Merlin sailing. The main job is to replace the foredeck and then the hull needs some attention near the bow. The hull is currently varnished and 90% of it looks excellent, but I'm not sure if the 10% can be made to match, so I'm thinking of painting it, any views? Otherwise she appears to be in good nick and should indeed provide an excellent cheap ride.
11 years ago I raced Merlins at Wembley owning firstly 2989 and then 3278 (NSM2).

If you re-finish part of the hull, then it will appear a different colour at first but will catch up in no time at all. The deeper you cut back prior to re-finishing, the more the colour will change, but in time it shouldn't matter. If you can prep the whole surface and give it an overall top coat then this too will help with the blend. 

To paint, you should really cut back to bare and start again! - major project.

paint it pink and black! how much did you get the boat for in the end? how old is your son?

Well done I'm sure she'll give you and your son a lot of fun, To the deck I had a similar aray of discoloration. I removed all traces of varnish/resin, sanded,made repairs where necersary then sanded again then 'rubbed' on 'Interstain'- mahogany stain from International Paints. Apart from bringing out a more consistant coloring it also has a UV inhibatant to reduce future problems. You can then apply numerous coats of varnish or a couple of coats of flow coating epoxy resin and 2/3 coats of varnish to finish.Going back to the staining the fluid is very thin like a solvent and is best hand worked in with an old clean piece of cloth so when applied there are no brush marks etc.  Best of luck  Barry    ps wear gloves!!!!!!

Opps it appears my name is info now!

In reply to the various posts:-

My son is 11 and currently crews for me in my Albacore, I reckon the spinnaker will be quite a challenge for him as the only kite he's handled was on a RS200.

I think I'll stick with a varnished hull because I don't want to have to strip the whole hull to go to a paint finish. I'll just redo the affected area on the hull and then give one overall coat of varnish.

The foredeck is past repair, black in colour and cracked and lifting/bubbling in places. The guy I bought her from suggested stripping off the top veneer and just replacing that, but I rteckon it needs some new ply.

Steve

Steve - I have emailed you off forum and sent a couple of pictures.  I did a re-deck and complete hull strip/re-varnish last year and will be happy to have a chat with you about how I did it.  

Garry