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Musto 2023 Hikers LEADERBOARD

Merlin Rockets are set to impress at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2022

by Lou Johnson 23 Feb 2022 17:04 GMT Stand B54, 26-27 February 2022
Merlin Rockets at the RYA Dinghy Show 2019 © MROA

The Merlin Rocket Class look forward to welcoming you to their stand at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2022 and you are in for a real treat as they will be showcasing three boats on stand B54!

Meet Hullabaloo, built in 1964, a regular on the vintage scene and on the Thames Circuit. She's a fine example of a river boat, now in the hands of Rob Cage, that has had a complete restoration and gone on to win the River Championships, River Silver Tillers and the downriver race at Ranelagh Sailing Club, often referred to as the home of the Merlin Rocket. Vintage boats are those registered before 1985, so 3357 and below.

Over the past few years there has been a revival of classic Merlin Rockets, and 2022 sees the announcement of a new Classic Circuit (boats between 3358 to 3571) to competitively race within the classes existing Craftinsure Silver tiller and DeMay events. Meet White Mischief, built in 1989 and now owned Phil 'Dirty Hands' Scott who has finished his recent refurbishment and is simply stunning. She is an earlier Canterbury Tales design which is the same design as our next boat is based on.

Finally, we have on the stand the newest Merlin Rocket to tap the water, 3816 Wild Horses. Built by Winder Boats and sailed by Phil Emery and his granddaughter in Whitstable, this is one of the latest designs available.

Please do come and talk to us and find out more about the new launch of Classic circuit, the DeMay series or any other aspect of Merlin ownership or racing.

"We will be ready to welcome you to the Merlin Rocket stand on Saturday," says a hopeful Mark Barwell. "Phil Scott assures me he will be ready! We are looking forward to squeezing in these three boats, it's important for us to show the full spectrum of the class; vintage, classic and modern."

See you Saturday and Sunday!

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