Merlin Rockets- Iska celebrates 60th Birthday

by David Henshall on 10 May 2006 It was balloons and streamers to help celebrate a very special 60th Birthday at the Baltic Wharf Classic Dinghy event on the 29th April. The star of the day was Merlin Rocket No 6, Iska, who crowned the day with a highly creditable second overall.

As with so many other grand old ladies, Iska has a story to tell. Construction is believed to have commenced at the end of 1945 when timber was still strictly rationed. Someone must have squirreled away sufficient stock though for the hull to be built and the boat received it’s Certificate in the early spring of 1946.

For a 60 year old boat Iska looked superb, with her cotton sails cut as to the original sail plan. Owners Chris and Lois Barlow are to be commended not only for their work in keeping the boat looking pristine but also for their skill in squeezing the most out of her on the water.

Iska was joined at the event by two other Merlin Rockets. Number 36, famous for being Ian Proctor's steed when he achieved third overall at the very first National Championships and 2121, another boat with a strong Proctor link as it is believed to be the only wide decked Mk 9.

(David Henshall is a UK freelance writer specialising in stories on classic sailing boats he can be contacted at: davidhenshall@hotmail.com More on classic sailing boats can be seen at Classic and Vintage Dinghy Association www.cvrda.org