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Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design
Hyde Sails
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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
Show news 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 Maxed Out for Grafham Grand Prix, Take 2
It is back on this weekend, and all 95 spots are taken
Posted on 6 Feb Gillard and Gray win again, at the Tiger Trophy
Merlin Rocket duo yet again prove to be a cut above the competition
Posted on 3 Feb Chichester YC 2026 Snowflake Series day 3
Winter racing has a loyal following whatever the weather
Posted on 3 Feb Merlin Rockets launching youth training programme
Aged between 16 and 25? The class wants to hear from you
Posted on 23 Jan Chichester YC 2026 Snowflake Series day 2
Shifts reward those who adapt early
Posted on 19 Jan Icicle Race at Fishers Green
With frozen sheets, blocks, centreboards and even rescue boats
Posted on 17 Jan Blithfield Barrel week 3
A lot of discussion prior to this event over the weather
Posted on 13 Jan Chichester Yacht Club 2026 Snowflake Series Day 1
A hard frost, ice in the harbour, and air temperature of -3°C
Posted on 7 Jan There's a new team in town
SuperCrew Duo gunning for glory at the Grafham Grand Prix
Posted on 31 Dec 2025 Arran Holman wins again, this time at Brass Monkey
Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series hits Yorkshire Dales
Posted on 29 Dec 2025 Gillard goes 3 in a row with Chase victory
Perfect scoreline so far in the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series
Posted on 16 Dec 2025 Blithfield Barrel week 2
27 boats accept the drizzle
Posted on 9 Dec 2025 Cooler series 2025 at Shoreham
A blustery affair with high winds and mountainous seas
Posted on 5 Dec 2025 Switching Classes - Advice from Ben McGrane
Getting the decision right takes thought and a bit of research
Posted on 3 Dec 2025 Double dose of Dash success for Gillard & Gray
In the opening event of the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series 2025-26
Posted on 26 Nov 2025
Links
Tuning Guides:

Photos

Show photos from

Strong and variable winds for the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms Rich Adams and Ashanti Lennox on their way to second overall and Gold fleet winner at the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms Bronze fleet winners David Lucas and Robyn Tailor during the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms Rob Kennaugh and Andrew Prosser on their way to third place at the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms Challenging conditions during the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms James and Anna un-horsed on the reach in Race 2 of the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms A squally mark rounding for James Wells and Anna Aylward at the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms Nip and tuck during the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms A clean start to Race 1 of the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms Silver fleet winners Tim Harms and Amelia Little during the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms 16 Merlin Rockets attended the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms Strength and depth in competition at the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms Rich and Ashanti lead the fleet in Race 1 at the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms Caroline and Chris Gould win the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms Close racing in Race 2 of the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms Busy dinghy park at the Merlin open at Midland Sailing Club
© Julian Harms Salcombe Yacht Club Spring Series Race 2
© Lucy Burn Salcombe Yacht Club Spring Series Race 2
© Lucy Burn The Merlin Rocket class heads into its 80th anniversary with very modern technology
© Alex Pausey Chichester YC 2026 Snowflake Series day 5
© Kathy McHale and Katie Merryfield-Day Chichester YC 2026 Snowflake Series day 5
© Kathy McHale and Katie Merryfield-Day Chichester YC 2026 Snowflake Series day 5
© Kathy McHale and Katie Merryfield-Day Merlin Rocket Youth Training event 2 at Fishers Green
© Angie Meyer Merlin Rocket Youth Training event 2 at Fishers Green
© Angie Meyer Merlin Rocket Youth Training event 2 at Fishers Green
© Angie Meyer Merlin Rocket Youth Training event 2 at Fishers Green
© Angie Meyer Merlin Rocket Youth Training event 2 at Fishers Green
© Angie Meyer Salcombe Yacht Club 2026 Commissioning Race
© Lucy Burn Salcombe Yacht Club 2026 Commissioning Race
© Lucy Burn The bow of 'Amuse-Bouche', the new Rockatross design Merlin Rocket on display at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
© Mark Jardine
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