That's a shame Nova Owner |
Hi Edward |
Gosh. My memory isn't fading me then it was Mr Harms boat that I saw at the '97 champs at Whitstable and beautiful she did look then. Shame but recoverable I'm sure.:-( |
That works. Looks as though you've got a bit to do but all doable by the look of it. Surprised to see that she is deck stepped when the perceived wisdom is that only low bow tank boats have the necessary strength to take the rig tension needed on deck stepped. |
3 attempts at logging in to ebay to bid for this this regrettably I have now given up. If any body else has an ebay account and is prepared to bid for this on my behalf and wants a share of the bits then I am good for the cash and can collect with removal to covered storage in Norfolk while we sort it out - email me before 5 or phone 07771 883406 - This is by no means beyond redemption. |
nova owner - can I have the centre board please - In fact if you are going to scrap the rest then I will take it all off you to save the price of the matches. I can collect as I have a trailer. |
It would be a shame to burn such a great boat... |
I fail to see how £168 for a boat with no decks and rotten garboards is a bargain, but someone was prepared to pay it......... |
What a shame. It is nowhere near as bad as some that I have restored and put back on the water. I already have 2/3 on the waiting list though so can't do another one! |
Julio, if I had the space you have I would! It is more difficult in a small garage. |
Yes, I know what you mean! I still love a wooden Merlin. |
Where do you put a tunnel tent then? You still need space! |
Thanks Julio, your not doing a bad job yourself! Making me want to get on e of Keiths kits and do it myslef! |
Hi Nick, Looks like you have a job on your hands, but she looks like a solid base. I did a similar job to 3165 just over a year ago. She was a Smart Smokers which was in a slightly worse for wear state when I got her. Have a look at my photo record to see how it went, and best of luck! You will have a very good boat when you are done! |
I would be interested in the rig if it was going. I have an old boat in need of a rig so at least it would keep one boat on the water if not both. |
That would take up most of the garden! Not sure Mrs D or the dog would be too happy! |
£168 an absolute bargain. Hope to see her on the water again! |
I would not wont to go to the funeral. Far to emotional. |
Hurrah! A chap called Nick Wymer has bought her to restore her to her former glory. Thank goodness. I believe how will be sailing at Rudyard Lake. |
Just seen 3136 on Ebay in dire need of an enthusiastic restorer. I think its was owned McAuslands at Exe, who I recall in the early eighties. Someone must surely want a project to save this lovely old boat...? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Merlin-Rocket-NSM-Design-with-Combi-Trailer-in-need-of-repairs-/231130496999?pt=UK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET&hash=item35d0737fe7 |
That's been left for a pretty long time...! Passed the link to a mate who might be interested. |
Celia and I owned 3136 in 1984-6 sailing at Ardleigh SC and Silver Tiller events until our first child arrived and Jacko convinced us that the boat was better sailed than locked in our garage so we sold her. Absolutely beautiful boat at that time. |
Presume that the crack in the transom is ffrom where Barry Dunning and Bungy Taylor hit the mud at Gerston with the line from Bung "That mud has moved since last year"! |
One e-bay bloke proposes asset stripping it for the trailer and sprapping the boat without giving a damm! Can't be that hard to restore but I've got too much on right now. |
I did not think it looked that bad really. The inside looks pretty good so I doubt there is much rot in it. It looks to me like it has been sitting with the transom on the ground and a cover that did not quite cover the bow. |
Ashbourne isn't a long way from Blithfield. Anyone there want to rescue her? |
Beautifully built by Laurie for me in 78. Bungay was steering when we were in the lead going up to The Bag. He knew the waters but still managed to take the corner to tightly. He was the local boatbuilder and was born and bred in Salcombe. Blowing 25 knots with the spinnaker up. Took the rudder right off. Bungay had it repaired by the next day. That was the only time I let him steer the boat! Bungay is now living in Switzerland and by chance, I met him on the beach in Phuket in Thailand this last December. He spent two days with me in my rib whilst I was coaching at the Kings Cup. |
It was a windy day, finished 11th and last! |
What a tragedy. I sold 'Substitute' to a chap at Kings Bromley when I bought 'Smoked Salmon'. She was Helen's and my first Merlin, bought from Dave at Jacko's prompting, we learnt the ropes at Up River in her and she was greatly loved. We trailed her around the country to many open meetings and got to know the circuit. When I sold her, she had been well and regularly used by me for more than 10 years and was in full functioning condition, albeit that a lick of varnish wouldn't have gone amiss. The buyer was 'looking for a project' and drove off in the full first flush of enthusiasm, as I wiped away a tear and whispered 'look after her' under my breath.... |
Come on Jules, buy her back. She needs a good home. |
Not yet. I left my telephone number with the seller to pass on to the buyer. No contact yet. |
Now then Barry Dunning, is it now time to confess all? Would you care to comment on the thought that the boat was named 'Substitute' after a Dagger Board layout had to be substituted with a (by then) legal centreboard. I have it all on video anyway but thought that you might want to comment - another reason to save the boat! |
"@ Miles (12th March posting): Thankyou - my own fair hand. I felt it only fair to explain to the new owner how the raking rig worked.\r\n\r\n@ Midlander: re Deck stepping - I was following on the heels of one Dave Winder who, in his youth, deck stepped Orac by chopping off the 'hog to deck' section of mast and setting the new mast step on top of it. I installed a very substantial pair of 'mahogany Tabernacle posts' (cut from redundant shelves found in my new house) which served the multiple function of tying the deck to the hog, taking the compression loading of the mast and rig tensionioning tackle and containing the rig tension lever which essentially 'floated' between hog and deck.\r\n\r\nSubstitute was already showing hog separation from the garboard planks when I had her in hog stepped form and there was much frantic glueing to stop the boat from leaking and ultimately splitting. I did warn the new owner when I sold her to him, but it would appear that that was the least of her worries.... \r\n\r\n@ Nik W: So pleased that you were prepared to take on this project - She really needed re-decking when I had her and you are obviously braver and more capable than I. \r\n\r\nLike Dave C, I am really looking ofrward to seeing the end product. Keep the photos coming." |
Only interested in the trailer going to burn the rest |
Great news indeed! He'll probably remove my 'one string' rig, flirt briefly with a loophole in the rules with a view to fitting a dagger board, and then satisfy himself with scavenging from a bicycle frame to fit a novel kicker arrangement... :-) |
Do we know if she's safe, Barry? |
Surely if anyone is going to burn her it should be Barry and Alan Warren - don't you have 'previous', Barry? We all know that Alan has. The MacAuslands, Charltons and Harms' could stand looking silently on, and toast her journey to the boat underworld with a fine malt... |
Hi piers |
Thanks Gareth |
Hi Edward |
Well myself and Edward missed out unfortunately. |
I remember racing against the McAuslands - a handsome couple and good sailors. I thought they went abroad, I think I may have seen them relatively recently but my elderly memory doesn't always tell me the truth! |
I like the lever schematic. |
If anyone is looking for someone to build them a merlin, wood or glass please get in touch... Not too many man hours left on my project and I am starting to wonder what I can fill the void with after the Dream Machine is launched...! |
If anyone is looking for someone to build them a merlin, wood or glass please get in touch... Not too many man hours left on my project and I am starting to wonder what I can fill the void with after the Dream Machine is launched...! |
Looks like an exciting project. You're lucky like me and have bought a cheap old boat built by a seriously talented and careful builder. |
Jez I think you should, one for the more portly helm and see how it goes, there is something about a wooden Merlin that keeps drawing you back. |
More to the point (for me) do a good job on her - please.. |
Go for it! |
Perfect timing, Jez. Thank you for sharing the photos. Just what I needed for what I'm working on this month. |
Incredible work on 3165, Jez. What a beautiful varnish finish. Love the red color too. Just stunning. |
I'll do my best.. |
Just for those that may be interested, I have got her home and have started removing bits.... |
Final go... |
Just noticed the link didn't work so here we go again |
Before I moved to the 'seaside' I started building 3646 in a tunnel tent. Now you have no excuse. Just have to make sure tent is well pegged. |
Back garden? Tent is about 16ft by 9ft a bit cramped but possible. |
@ Miles (12th March posting): Thankyou - my own fair hand. I felt it only fair to explain to the new owner how the raking rig worked. |
|
Looking good. |
Looks great well done |
Nic, so pleased to see the fruits of your labours - what a great job you are doing. I won't blame you for not replacing the lever - I just couldn't afford a proper raking rig! Needs must. Look forward to seeing the finished artcle. She would still give the new boats a scare at Salcome and other tricky venues, I'm sure. |