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Merlin Rocket

Merlin Rocket

14 foot restricted class with clinker-style hull. Flared hull up to 7'2" beam to give equivalent righting moment to trapezes and wings. Unusual shape of mainsail with long top batten to give sail area high up useful for rivers. Moderate sized conventional spinnaker, and sophisticated rig controls for the string fetishist. Fleets sail on any size of water from open sea to small lakes and narrow rivers. Previously known as the Merlin or the Rocket (two classes merged in 1951).

&copy; David Harding / <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sailingscenes.co.uk">www.sailingscenes.co.uk</a> © David Harding / www.sailingscenes.co.uk
in association with
in association with Selden
Show UK nationals gear guide from

Enter details for at the nationals
PosCrewMastBoomSpi PoleMainJibSpinnakerRudderBoardHull
Show news Merlin and Rocket classes split
75 years of collaboration comes to a close today
Posted on 1 Apr
Merlin Rockets at Broadwater
Allen South East Series and Craftinsure Vintage Series event
Posted on 31 Mar
Merlin Rockets at Wembley
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Allen South East, Classic & Vintage event
Posted on 24 Mar
Merlins face epic fury at Midland
Conditions did not much resemble the Met office's 'light winds'
Posted on 18 Mar
Entries open for the 80th Merlin Rocket Nationals
Weymouth to host anniversary championships this summer
Posted on 10 Mar
Chichester YC 2026 Snowflake Series overall
Two tactically demanding races on Sunday to conclude the series
Posted on 9 Mar
Merlin Rocket Youth Training event 2
Understanding the role of sail controls whilst on the water
Posted on 3 Mar
Anniversary Classes at the Dinghy Show
We speak to a number of classes celebrating significant anniversaries
Posted on 1 Mar
A look at the new 'Amuse-Bouche' Rockatross
Video tour of the developments at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
Posted on 25 Feb
Chichester YC 2026 Snowflake Series day 4
Torrential rain eases shortly before the first start
Posted on 24 Feb
Learn more about the world of epoxy
At the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
Posted on 20 Feb
Bartley Beast Series Finale
January's cancelled event goes ahead, with sun instead of snow
Posted on 18 Feb
Hyde Sails in attendance at RYA Dinghy Show
Ben McGrane and John Brooks are available to speak to
Posted on 18 Feb
Merlin Rocket Youth Training event 1
Fishers Green hosts session for 16-25 year olds
Posted on 17 Feb
Blithfield Barrel week 4
A light wind conclusion after three character-building winter rounds
Posted on 17 Feb
Celebrate 80 Years of the Merlin Rocket
At the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2026
Posted on 15 Feb
Dinghy Show Discount Period from Hyde Sails
10% off all one design sails, covers and accessories
Posted on 15 Feb
Oxford Blue set to wrap up the Sailjuice Series
Eighth event takes place on Valentine's Day, with more than 60 entries signed up
Posted on 13 Feb
Maxed Out for Grafham Grand Prix, Take 2
It is back on this weekend, and all 95 spots are taken
Posted on 6 Feb
Gillard and Gray win again, at the Tiger Trophy
Merlin Rocket duo yet again prove to be a cut above the competition
Posted on 3 Feb
Chichester YC 2026 Snowflake Series day 3
Winter racing has a loyal following whatever the weather
Posted on 3 Feb
Merlin Rockets launching youth training programme
Aged between 16 and 25? The class wants to hear from you
Posted on 23 Jan
Chichester YC 2026 Snowflake Series day 2
Shifts reward those who adapt early
Posted on 19 Jan
Icicle Race at Fishers Green
With frozen sheets, blocks, centreboards and even rescue boats
Posted on 17 Jan
Blithfield Barrel week 3
A lot of discussion prior to this event over the weather
Posted on 13 Jan
Chichester Yacht Club 2026 Snowflake Series Day 1
A hard frost, ice in the harbour, and air temperature of -3°C
Posted on 7 Jan
There's a new team in town
SuperCrew Duo gunning for glory at the Grafham Grand Prix
Posted on 31 Dec 2025
Arran Holman wins again, this time at Brass Monkey
Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series hits Yorkshire Dales
Posted on 29 Dec 2025
Gillard goes 3 in a row with Chase victory
Perfect scoreline so far in the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series
Posted on 16 Dec 2025
Blithfield Barrel week 2
27 boats accept the drizzle
Posted on 9 Dec 2025
Links
Tuning Guides:
Merlin Rocket UK Nationals Attendance
see the full nationals attendance table here

Photos

Show photos from

Fishers Green Easter Cup Championship 2026
© Angie Meyer
Salcombe Yacht Club Spring Series Race 4
© Lucy Burn
Salcombe Yacht Club Spring Series Race 4
© Lucy Burn
Merlins racing on a river
© TSC
Rockets launching at sea
© Alistair Mackay
The new Merlin and Rocket sail emblems
© Merlin & Rocket classes
Alan Krayling and Pete Nicholson chase down James Goodfellow and George Major during the Allen South East Merlin Rocket event at Broadwater Sailing Club
© Rob O'Neill
Tom Londsale and Caroline Gould finish third in the Allen South East Merlin Rocket event at Broadwater Sailing Club
© Rob O'Neill
Paul Rayson and Christian Hill in a gust during the Allen South East Merlin Rocket event at Broadwater Sailing Club
© Rob O'Neill
Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley win the Allen South East Merlin Rocket event at Broadwater Sailing Club
© Rob O'Neill
Breeze on for Jess Copper during the Allen South East Merlin Rocket event at Broadwater Sailing Club
© Rob O'Neill
Andrew and Ellie Mills competing in the Craftinsure Vintage Series during the Allen South East Merlin Rocket event at Broadwater Sailing Club
© Rob O'Neill
Merlin Rockets at Wembley Sailing Club for the Craftinsure Silver Tiller and the Allen South East Series
© Rob O'Neill
Pre start at Wembley Sailing Club for the Craftinsure Silver Tiller and the Allen South East Series
© Rob O'Neill
Trying to find the wind at Wembley for the Craftinsure Silver Tiller and the Allen South East Series
© Rob O'Neill
Paul Dean and Hannah Burt at the Wembley Sailing Club Craftinsure Silver Tiller and the Allen South East Series
© Rob O'Neill
Mike and Jane Calverts - Winners at Wembley Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allen South East Series
© Rob O'Neill
Salcombe Yacht Club Spring Series Race 3
© Lucy Burn
Salcombe Yacht Club Spring Series Race 3
© Lucy Burn
Strong and variable winds for the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms
Rich Adams and Ashanti Lennox on their way to second overall and Gold fleet winner at the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms
Bronze fleet winners David Lucas and Robyn Tailor during the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms
Rob Kennaugh and Andrew Prosser on their way to third place at the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms
Challenging conditions during the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms
James and Anna un-horsed on the reach in Race 2 of the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms
A squally mark rounding for James Wells and Anna Aylward at the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms
Nip and tuck during the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms
A clean start to Race 1 of the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms
Silver fleet winners Tim Harms and Amelia Little during the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms
16 Merlin Rockets attended the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms