it has been intimated to me that 1614 that i have just bought is a "special" boat ::: can anyone help?? (also own 1067)
peter

According to the MR Year Book she's an Adur 7. In the early 1960s they were very competitive, I should know because I had the first one, no. 1502, in which my wife Helen and I had by far our best season in 1963 with 3rd in the Championships and 1st at Salcombe. They are still sought after for racing on the Thames where they can be competitive with modern kit.

Peter:
Congratulations and welcome to the class. Have you had a chance yet to assess what kind of condition the boat is in? Fingers crossed that you can get her out on the water next year.
As per Robert’s comments, the Adur 7s are well sought after for river sailing and probably anywhere that frequent tacking is called for and planing conditions infrequent i.e. sheltered inland sailing. If you search this forum under 'Adur 7' you will find plenty of positive comments. 
Best of luck with the boat.
Chris

Thank all for your comments : i couldn't take the chance of it being scrapped : picking it up monday : i'm told it is complete bar sails (if you hear of any suitable sails, i will be all ears) : i've also got 1067 which will be the priority - do you know of any distinguishing marks which will tell me who built that???
peter

her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"SHE" is a Jack Holt boat built by Holts to the Tequila design this information from the Year Book which when you join the association will give you this, and a lot of other information and distilled wisdom!

1067 mentioned by Peter is the Holt 'Tequila'. I knew the design pretty well because my one time boss Rodney Collier had 'Tequila' and my late father, Harry Harris, had no. 945 'Jubilee'. They both sailed them at Minima Y.C. in the late 1950s.

This discussion takes me back more than 50 years.

Towards the end of the 1950s it seemed unlikely that Jack Holt would ever build another Championship winning boat. Nevertheless 'Jubilee' did look similar to my Proctor XI no. 1047 so we turned them upside alongside each other and they did look remarkably alike. Equipped with Proctor metal masts rather than the stiff wooden poles Jack supplied they might have been competitive but none of the top sailors would have been willing take the risk.

Look forward to seeing you on our Vintage Circuit next year.

First race will be mid April, so I do hope that you will be able to come along with one of your beautiful boats.

thank you all for your comments and the encouragment ::: although i'm in my "late Teens" i've wanted a Merlin since forever - now i'm spoilt for choice - BUT i'm a newbie - so any help and advice will be eagerly sought

all done - 1614 is in better condition than i could have hoped (been kept under cover for at least 16yrs) all the Hull wants is rubbing down, a good coat of varnish and Decking (4mm??) 

i'm inclined to do her first - is there any way i can get plans of any sort - and, i forgot to ask, does anyone know her name - and if i put
a picture on can you help with the make of the mast and boom??
peter

According to the year book her name is Mitzi II.

thank you Richard - HMMMN - a name change looks to be indicated doesn't it
1067 went from "Visa" to "SingTheNightSong" - i'll have to think on this!!

1614 begun life at Sussex Motor owned I think by the late Bernard Bush or Gary Durham