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Mincing Merlin Mania |
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G.R.F.
Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028 |
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Topic: Mincing Merlin Mania Posted: 28 Mar 12 at 3:50pm |
In the words of the indomitable Victor Meldrew a man of immense patience and personal charity imv, I can't believe it
Another bloody Merlin has entered my life, I'm off down the boat park in half an hour to see why they've taken leave of their senses. They just rang me up from the Maidstone services to tell me they're arriving and a red carpet should be laid down the boat park.. What's going on? Why is everyone going mental for merlins all of a sudden? I shall take pictures and comment shortly - stand by, there may be rants later
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getafix
Really should get out more Joined: 28 Mar 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2143 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 28 Mar 12 at 8:41pm |
go sailing in it.... just sail it, don't worry that everyone on this board will never, ever, ever let you forget what you said about them and constantly remind you over and over and over again.... they really do sail really, really nicely
... allegedly anyhow! |
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G.R.F.
Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 28 Mar 12 at 11:05pm |
I went and had a bit of a gander at it as the lads put it together, it's got a rig raking set up which I really want to have a good go over, because i want something like that, but at first glance it's ropes and wheels everywhere.
It's a laminated boat of some description, was built for a national champion who then fell out with the builders for some reason and didn't take it, apparently it was built for a year they were having a nationals on the sea so has some provenance that it won't be a complete tub, even though it looks like dingily dell meets swallows and amazons, I shall never set foot in it, other than to paw over the rig raking stuff. It's ugly, has as much relevance as chitty chitty bang bang and the boys are mentally ill in my mind giving up a fine 505 saying they want to get more in touch with the middle of the fleet, that they certainly will, the 470's will be all over them like a bad rash. It's quite wide isn't it? Wastes a lot of space... ...... and those bags in the back, can't wait to chuck darts at them as I go past. Edited by G.R.F. - 28 Mar 12 at 11:08pm |
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Rupert
Really should get out more Joined: 11 Aug 04 Location: Whitefriars sc Online Status: Offline Posts: 8956 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 12 at 8:49am |
Surely the Merlin Nationals is always on the sea?
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Firefly 2324, Puffin 229, Minisail 3446 Mirror 70686
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G.R.F.
Really should get out more Joined: 10 Aug 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 4028 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 12 at 11:50am |
I thought generally their drivers park their Rollers down at Salcombe, their nurses trolley them out of the bar, they fall into their boats (this one has a handy zimmer style frame in the middle) blunder about up and down the river until opening time, then pile back into the bar, drink all night and things really liven up to the point they even gybe down wind the following day..
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getafix
Really should get out more Joined: 28 Mar 06 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2143 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 12 at 12:02pm |
I'm sure you must be right, afterall, you normally are spot on.... it's just the fact that there's all these top-level dinghy sailors who've tried, and in many cases failed, to win the MR Nationals... they must have all been drunk, as you suggest, as it seems incredibly difficult to put one over the decrepid and dillusional fleet you appear to face |
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rogue
Really should get out more Joined: 04 Dec 08 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 978 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 12 at 12:09pm |
... they would have won or won honourably depending on your POV, if it wasn't for a.n.other Merlin controversy.
Surely the biggest turn off for boat is the crap that gets pulled if you win, don't win or fail to declare your pimped sails. Whatever, the string's enough for me to walk past and go 'm'eh'. Apparently underneath all that clutter there's actually some very pretty boats kicking around.
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Neal_g
Far too distracted from work Joined: 07 Oct 07 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 323 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 12 at 12:56pm |
well you can go to both clubs now GRF and admire merlins your so lucky lol
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(Redoubt Sc)
Miracle 4040 GP14 13407 Crewsaver phase 2 range now available to buy online on at http://www.gibsonsails.com |
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Medway Maniac
Really should get out more Joined: 13 May 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 2788 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 12 at 1:08pm |
I hate to agree with GRF, but sailing a Merlin was one of the biggest disappointments of my sailing life.
Had to wait years of eager anticipation before I set foot in one, but when I did it just seemed like a lot investment in money and sailing effort for little return, and upwind just b. hard work compared to a trapeze boat (reminded me of hard hours in an Ent. to be honest). Didn't even feel quick - with all that freeboard the water is pretty remote and there's little spray. Very rolly too, even if the high freeboard did at least prevent a capsize. I might feel differently if I was sailing in predominantly light airs on a pond, mind. Under thoise circs I'd take another look. But for the wide open reaches of the Medway I'll stick to the 3k. £2k's-worth of L3k planes past £15k's-worth of Merlin in the Hoo Freezer a couple of years back (the 3k beat the Merlin by nearly 2 minutes on the water in the end, despite a dip with the kite up on the last lap): |
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rogerd
Really should get out more Joined: 25 May 04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1076 |
Post Options Quote Reply Posted: 29 Mar 12 at 1:29pm |
Apart from the inlands of course
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