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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 Rocket Silver Tiller at Starcross
Do not use your head to deal with spinnaker poles during gybes
Posted on 2 Jun
Merlin Rocket Youth Championship at Fishers Green
A challenging light wind day for the sailors
Posted on 1 Jun
Merlin Rocket River Championships at Upper Thames
Event runs on patience, sunshine and consistency
Posted on 29 May
Tideway Dinghy Derby preview
Spectacle returns to the Thames, supporting life-changing programme for young people
Posted on 21 May
Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton
Close racing, great quality coaching and a fantastic social atmosphere
Posted on 20 May
Rooster title sponsor HISC multi-class open
The Flying Fifteen, Fireball, 505 and Merlin event will be on 6-7 June
Posted on 15 May
Merlin Rockets at Thames and Minima
Light winds for the two Thames Series and Vintage Series events
Posted on 7 May
Merlin Rocket Allen SE Series at Fishers Green
Light airs in the Lee valley
Posted on 29 Apr
Merlin Rocket Youth Training at Burnham
A perfect opportunity to learn how each control changed the functionality of the boat
Posted on 28 Apr
P&B Merlin Rocket Womens Championship Entry Open
Taking place at Northampton Sailing Club on the 16th and 17th May
Posted on 27 Apr
Merlin Rockets at Parkstone
Craftinsure Silver Tiller Round 4 and Allspars South West Series Round 2
Posted on 21 Apr
Merlin Rockets at Salcombe
Wind, Sunshine and a Whole Lot of Action for Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allspars SW Series Open
Posted on 14 Apr
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
Links
Tuning Guides:
Merlin Rocket UK Nationals Attendance
see the full nationals attendance table here

Photos

Show photos from

Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allspars South West Series at Starcross
© Matt Shorrock
Storm Nutall and Sally Wakefeild win their first race together in 30plus years - Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allspars South West Series at Starcross
© Garnett Showell
Jostling for position - Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allspars South West Series at Starcross
© Garnett Showell
Forming an orderly queue at the gybe mark - Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allspars South West Series at Starcross
© Heather Davies
Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley, overall event winners - Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allspars South West Series at Starcross
© Garnett Showell
Light winds and spinnakers at the Merlin Rocket Youth Nationals
© Paul Dean
Light wind racing during the Merlin Rocket Youth Nationals
© Paul Dean
Merlin Rocket Youth Nationals Crew Line Up
© Paul Dean
Merlin Rocket Youth Nationals briefing on the lawn
© Paul Dean
Merlin Rocket Youth Nationals Winning Helm George
© Andy Hutcheon
Close tacking at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week
© Tony Ketley
Locals Guy and Tre Jacobs at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week
© Tony Ketley
Modern and Vintage at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week
© Tony Ketley
Heading in all directions at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week
© Tony Ketley
Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week
© Tony Ketley
Light wind start at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week
© Tony Ketley
Heading upwind at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week
© Tony Ketley
Navigating past the moored Thames A Raters at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week
© Tony Ketley
P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton
© Sophie Mackley
P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton
© Sophie Mackley
Just after the start - P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton
© Dave Williams
Rebecca Videlo and Lorna Glen, third overall - P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton
© Jason Privett
Sophie Mackley and Chris Gould, second overall - P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton
© Jason Privett
P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton
© Lou Johnson
Caroline Gould and Rachael Gray, overall winners - P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton
© Jason Privett
Storm Nuttal and Sally Wakefield under coaches orders - P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton
© Sophie Mackley
Blues skies for the Merlin Rocket Rowsell Sails Thames Series and Craftinsure VIntage Series events at Thames SC and Minima SC
© Martin Hughes
Merlin Rockets at the Rowsell Sails Thames Series and Craftinsure VIntage Series events at Thames SC and Minima SC
© Egle Tumosa
Light winds for the Merlin Rocket Rowsell Sails Thames Series and Craftinsure VIntage Series events at Thames SC and Minima SC
© Martin Hughes
Craftinsure Vintage Series Prizegiving at Minima
© Stuart Jenkins