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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
Craftinsure 2023 LEADERBOARD
in association with
in association with Selden
Show UK nationals gear guide from

Enter details for at the nationals
PosCrewMastBoomSpi PoleMainJibSpinnakerRudderBoardHull
1 Tom Gillard (73kg)
Rachael Gray (69kg)
Seldén Jon Turner Seldén North Sails North Sails North Sails Winder Winder Winder
2 Ben Saxton(75kg)
Matt Rainback(69kg)
C-Tech C-Tech Seldén North Sails North Sails North Sails Jon Turner Jon Turner Rockatross
3 Tim Saxton
Holly Scott
Jon Turner Jon Turner Jon Turner North Sails North Sails North Sails Jon Turner Jon Turner Jon Turner
Show news Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Lymington Town
With prize-giving annual dinner afterwards
Posted on 22 Oct
Allspars Final Fling 2025
81 boats, hosted by Royal Western YC for the 8th year running
Posted on 17 Oct
Merlin Rocket Downriver Race at Ranelagh
Human anchors are permitted during the race
Posted on 16 Oct
Hyde Sails One Design October Discount
Up to 20% off select sails
Posted on 16 Oct
Merlin Rockets at the Allspars Final Fling
Joining 73 other dinghies of varying sizes and abilities
Posted on 14 Oct
Merlin Rockets at Blithfield
Surprisingly good weather for Craftinsure Silver Tiller, HD Sails Midland Circuit & Classic Series
Posted on 1 Oct
Merlin Rockets at Trent Valley Sailing Club
HD Sails Midland Circuit, Classic Series & Craftinsure Vintage Series event
Posted on 26 Sep
Sunset Salver at Fishers Green
A 22 race series starting way back in April
Posted on 22 Sep
Merlin Rocket Women's Championship
A windy forecast kept numbers low but all those who attended had a fantastic weekend
Posted on 16 Sep
Hampton welcomes the Merlin Rocket fleet
Combination of DeMay Vintage and Thames Series racing
Posted on 16 Sep
Merlins at Bartley
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, HD Sails Midland Circuit, Classis Series, Youth Championship all in 1 day
Posted on 11 Sep
Merlin Rockets at Upper Thames
DeMay and Thames Series Opens held over the weekend
Posted on 10 Sep
Merlin Rocket Women's Championship preview
Entries are open for this mid-September event at Brightlingsea
Posted on 2 Sep
Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at Looe overall
Tom Gillard and Rachel Gray collect their trophies on a windless final day
Posted on 15 Aug
Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at Looe Day 5
A day of learning as it started with another great What Went Well session
Posted on 15 Aug
Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at Looe Day 4
Three races held after a night of fancy dress
Posted on 13 Aug
Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at Looe Day 3
The very keenest of rocketeers launched as soon as Delta flew
Posted on 12 Aug
Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at Looe Day 2
The wind fizzled out, leaving the waves to roll in under grey skies
Posted on 12 Aug
Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at Looe Day 1
Founders Trophy and Beecher's Cup races for the 47-boat fleet
Posted on 10 Aug
Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals Runners & Riders
The form guide of the top riders ahead of the Grand National!
Posted on 4 Aug
Welcome back to the top table!
P&B winning in One-Designs
Posted on 1 Aug
Merlin Rocket circuits come to Shoreham
Olympic medallists win the most prestigious (and most eggy) competition of the weekend
Posted on 30 Jul
The ultimate real-world test for the TEMO 1000
The ultimate real-world test for the TEMO 1000 electric outboard motor
Posted on 23 Jul
Merlin Rockets at Mumbles
Yet again impressed by how friendly and welcoming the club has been
Posted on 23 Jul
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week overall
Tom Gillard and Rachel Gray take the trophy
Posted on 4 Jul
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 5
Wall to wall sunshine for the 102 teams
Posted on 3 Jul
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 4
Random gusts from every direction, including vertical
Posted on 2 Jul
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 3
South-Westerly establishes itself after a windless dawn
Posted on 1 Jul
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 2
First start gets away on the top of the tide
Posted on 30 Jun
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 1
Over 200 of the UK's top dinghy racers are in the picturesque South Devon Ria
Posted on 29 Jun
Links
Tuning Guides:
Merlin Rocket UK Nationals Attendance
see the full nationals attendance table here

Photos

Show photos from

Chichester Yacht Club Winter Series
© Chris Turner
Chichester Yacht Club Winter Series
© CYCDinghies
Chichester Yacht Club Winter Series
© CYCDinghies
Launching time - Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Lymington Town
© LTSC
Launching time - Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Lymington Town
© LTSC
Launching time - Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Lymington Town
© LTSC
Rebecca and Rob win overall - Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Lymington Town
© LTSC
Windward mark rounding in choppy wind cross tide - Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Lymington Town
© LTSC
Allspars Final Fling
© Paul Gibbins Photography
Rowers wait on the shore as the race starts - Merlin Rocket Downriver Race at Ranelagh
© Nicola Scaddan
Under the bridges they go - Merlin Rocket Downriver Race at Ranelagh
© Richard Westover
Waiting for the start - Merlin Rocket Downriver Race at Ranelagh
© Nicola Scaddan
A rare occasion when only two boats were at the leeward mark - Merlin Rockets at the Allspars Final Fling
© Paul Gibbins Photography
Racing around Plymouth Breakwater - Merlin Rockets at the Allspars Final Fling
© Paul Gibbins Photography
Dave Lee and Anglea Bridges closely followed by William Warren and Andy Prince - Merlin Rockets at the Allspars Final Fling
© Paul Gibbins Photography
Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley, overall winners - Merlin Rockets at the Allspars Final Fling
© Paul Gibbins Photography
Waiting for wind of day 1 - Merlin Rockets at the Allspars Final Fling
© Paul Gibbins Photography
Battling for the win Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley versus Mike and Jane Calvert - Merlin Rockets at the Allspars Final Fling
© Paul Gibbins Photography
Autumn Cup at Fishers Green
© Christian Hill
Autumn Cup at Fishers Green
© Christian Hill
David Winder and Beka Jones - Second Overall at the Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield
© Cliff Sagar
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield
© Cliff Sagar
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield
© Cliff Sagar
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield
© Cliff Sagar
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield
© Cliff Sagar
Mike and Jane Calvert - First Overall at the Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield
© Cliff Sagar
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield
© Cliff Sagar
First Silver Geoff Wright and Jo Lord at the Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield
© Cliff Sagar
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield
© Cliff Sagar
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield
© Cliff Sagar