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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
4 Ben Saxton(72kg)
Matt Rainback(70kg)
C-Tech C-Tech North Sails North Sails North Sails Jon Turner Jon Turner Rockatross
Show news Merlin Rocket Women's Championship
A great event with training, a talk by Sarah Ayton, then competitive racing
Posted on 16 Sep
Merlin Rockets at Upper Thames
David Battye was naturally itching to point his flag for inadequate stability
Posted on 13 Sep
Women Sailors - the Merlin Rocket Class Needs You
Second Women's Championships at Parkstone Yacht Club on 14-15 September
Posted on 6 Sep
Merlin Rocket Youth Championship 2024 at Itchenor
A great way see what young helms and crews can do
Posted on 2 Sep
Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby overall
Every weather under the sun, but thankfully ending with sunshine
Posted on 17 Aug
Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby Day 5
23 knots with gusts and a 2-metre swell with waves on top
Posted on 16 Aug
Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby Day 4
A marathon report after a marathon six hours on the water!
Posted on 15 Aug
Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby Day 3
To quote Bruce Willis in Die Hard "Yippee ki-yay!!"
Posted on 13 Aug
Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby Day 2
Tenby delivers in epic fashion
Posted on 12 Aug
Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby Day 1
Rocketeers from all parts of the country descend on the picturesque South Wales town
Posted on 11 Aug
The oldest footage of the Merlin Rocket class
A look back into our video archive, ahead of the Nationals
Posted on 11 Aug
Merlin Rocket Nationals Runners and Riders
The summer of sport reaches a crescendo
Posted on 31 Jul
Merlin Rockets at Shoreham
33 boats turned up for a last chance to race before the Nationals
Posted on 26 Jul
Salcombe Gin Merlin Week Day 6
Persistent rain, but less wind than feared, for the final day
Posted on 5 Jul
Salcombe Gin Merlin Week Day 5
A beautiful sunny morning and a solid westerly greets the tired competitors
Posted on 4 Jul
Salcombe Gin Merlin Week Day 4
A change in the weather provides a good hiking breeze
Posted on 3 Jul
Salcombe Gin Merlin Week Day 3
Following the traumas of Monday, the fleet woke to bright sunshine and a brisk breeze
Posted on 2 Jul
Salcombe Gin Merlin Week Day 2
On most days Salcombe is a beautiful place to go. This was not one of them
Posted on 1 Jul
Salcombe Gin Merlin Week Day 1
A building North Westerly for the 120 boats
Posted on 30 Jun
Merlin Rockets at Whitstable
Combined Craftinsure Silver Tiller at Allen South East Series
Posted on 24 Jun
Classic & Vintage Merlin Open at Banbury
Braving the forecast alongside other classic and vintage dinghies
Posted on 24 Jun
Salcombe Gin Merlin Week runners and riders
With 120 boats there's guaranteed to be an element of chaos
Posted on 21 Jun
Allen Merlin Rocket Inlands at Bristol Corinthian
Racing at a fantastic venue with a wonderful expanse of fresh water
Posted on 12 Jun
New Format for Merlin Rocket Class Magazine
It's now available in digital format
Posted on 10 Jun
Merlin Rockets at Starcross
Summer officially starts during Craftinsure Silver Tiller Round 4
Posted on 4 Jun
Merlin Rocket River Championships at Upper Thames
Excellent racing on the widest non-tidal stretch of the Thames
Posted on 31 May
Merlin Rockets at Blithfield
No more Chat GPT - is this purely human eloquence?
Posted on 23 May
Merlin Thames Series at Tamesis
Even with wide boats present, the newest boat in the top three was 60 years old
Posted on 22 May
Merlin Vintage Series Open at Tamesis Club
A quality 7 boat fleet despite the fickle and damp looking forecast
Posted on 21 May
Merlin Rocket Thames and Vintage Series at Minima
Eric Archer Trophy and Chindit Trophy contested on the River Thames
Posted on 15 May
Links
Tuning Guides:
Merlin Rocket UK Nationals Attendance
see the full nationals attendance table here

Photos

Show photos from

Abbie Croft and Jane Calvert - Merlin Rocket Women's Championship
© Graham Williamson
Alex Willis and Ameila Little, Endeavour einners - Merlin Rocket Women's Championship
© Graham Williamson
Merlin Rocket Women's Podium (L-R) Caroline Croft, Livvy Bell, Pippa Kilsby, Mary Henderson, Rebecca Videlo, Megan Pascoe - Merlin Rocket Women's Championship
© Sally Wakefield
Mary Henderson and Pippa Kilsby, overall winners - Merlin Rocket Women's Championship
© Helen Kimber
Katherine Louise Kimber Bithell and Tom Pygall - Merlin Rocket Women's Championship
© Graham Williamson
Judtih Williamson and Fran Gifford - Merlin Rocket Women's Championship
© Graham Williamson
Close starts - Merlin Rocket Women's Championship
© Graham Williamson
Jane Calvert leading the training day - Merlin Rocket Women's Championship
© Lou Johnson
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Craftinsure Silver Tiller, DeMay and Thames Series racing at Upper Thames
© Philip Russell
Pippa Kilsby is very excited! Would you like to come and join the fun on 14 and 15 September?
© Patrick Blake
Isle of Sheppey race 2024
© Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk
Close racing at the Merlin Rocket Youth Championship at Itchenor Sailing Club
© Sophie Yeoman
Close racing at the Merlin Rocket Youth Championship at Itchenor Sailing Club
© Sophie Yeoman
Ollie Meadowcroft and Anna Aylward event winners at the Merlin Rocket Youth Championship
© Freya Lillywhite
Close racing at the Merlin Rocket Youth Championship at Itchenor Sailing Club
© Sophie Yeoman
Close racing at the Merlin Rocket Youth Championship at Itchenor Sailing Club
© Sophie Yeoman
Isobel Stewart and Mary Henderson- White Second overall at the Merlin Rocket Youth Championship
© Freya Lillywhite