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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 Merlin Rocket 80th Anniversary Champions Weekend
The past, the present and the future!
Posted today at 10:28 am Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals conclude
A slightly reduced fleet on P&B Race Day
Posted on 28 Aug Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA Day 5
Two sunny races out in Weymouth Bay on Barton Marine Race Day
Posted on 28 Aug Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA Day 4
Ranelagh Trophy and Crews' Race day
Posted on 26 Aug Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA Day 3
Perfect conditions on Portland Harbour allow a 3 race day
Posted on 25 Aug Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA Day 2
AP over A in high winds on Barton Marine Race Day, but plenty still going on
Posted on 25 Aug Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA Day 1
A SE breeze which was remarkably consistent in strength and direction
Posted on 23 Aug What makes Salcombe so special?
The Merlin Rocket Class has a question you can help answer
Posted on 14 Aug Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Shoreham
A weekend of breeze hunting, wave riding, egg throwing and tactical wizardry
Posted on 12 Aug Merlin Rocket Tideway Race at Ranelagh
From number 1 up to 3828 they gathered in Putney to mark the 80th Anniversary
Posted on 21 Jul Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week 2026 overall
Five women, and only one man, on the podium!
Posted on 11 Jul Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week 2026 Day 5
Another sunny, warm morning, although the breeze was doing its best to stay on holiday
Posted on 10 Jul Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week 2026 Days 3 & 4
Very light wind morning races, with a sea breeze filling in during the afternoon
Posted on 8 Jul Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week 2026 Days 1 & 2
Start line action, interviews, photos and results so far
Posted on 6 Jul Burton Merlin Rocket Open
The legendary welcome and hospitality from the club
Posted on 29 Jun Merlin Rockets at Tamesis Club
Harris and Warren prevail at Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Rowsell Sails Thames Series event
Posted on 27 Jun Tideway Dinghy Derby Video
It's been a long, long time since this race was last held!
Posted on 25 Jun History-making Tideway Dinghy Derby
On Saturday in London, 80 dinghies raced ten miles up and down the River Thames
Posted on 22 Jun Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Circuit at Bartley
Kennaugh and Prosser master testing conditions
Posted on 18 Jun Merlin Rocket Vintage and Classic at Fishers Green
Three races and three perfect starts, all clear, is unheard of
Posted on 18 Jun Merlin Rocket Midland Circuit at Blithfield
The furthest travelled to the meeting was from Brisbane, Australia
Posted on 17 Jun Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Hayling Island
A downwind playground with some stereotypical mast-breaking jeopardy
Posted on 11 Jun Coppet Week Regatta 2026 at Saundersfoot
A classic tale of two halves for the 42-strong fleet
Posted on 9 Jun Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Whitstable
Sunshine, a flooding tide, and a steady easterly F3 set a perfect racecourse
Posted on 3 Jun 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
Links
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Photos

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William Warren crewed by Chris Robinson looks up river hoping to see some wind - Merlin Rocket 80th Anniversary
© Rob O'Neill Phil King and crew Jenny were celebrated as arguably the most successful Merlin sailors of all time - Merlin Rocket 80th Anniversary
© Rob O'Neill The superb evening weather and a glass or two of pop help make this a memerable evening - Merlin Rocket 80th Anniversary
© Rob O'Neill Peter Scott hands Pat Blake the microphone for a few words - Merlin Rocket 80th Anniversary
© Rob O'Neill All smiles as John and Livy Bell win this beautiful trophy - Merlin Rocket 80th Anniversary
© Rob O'Neill Light conditions for the start of the race - Merlin Rocket 80th Anniversary
© Rob O'Neill The party could not be complete without the legends Alan Warren and Barry Dunning - Merlin Rocket 80th Anniversary
© Rob O'Neill Peter Scott made an excellent job of keeping us all entertaned - Merlin Rocket 80th Anniversary
© Rob O'Neill John and Livy Bell hard on the heels of Dave Dobrijevic and Lou Johnson - Merlin Rocket 80th Anniversary
© Rob O'Neill First beat and complete concentration from Barry Dunning crewed by Will Carol - Merlin Rocket 80th Anniversary
© Rob O'Neill Roger Gilbert and Rebecca Videlo cross the line first - Merlin Rocket 80th Anniversary
© Rob O'Neill Essex Sailing Championships 2026
© Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk Essex Sailing Championships 2026
© Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk Essex Sailing Championships 2026
© Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk Essex Sailing Championships 2026
© Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk Essex Sailing Championships 2026
© Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk Rob Allen punches the air with joy as they cross the finish line first on day 6 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill A near perfect start line on day 6 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill Mark Stockbridge and James Gifford approach the windward mark on the first lap on day 6 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill Sam and Leanne Thompson, winners of the silver fleet, on day 6 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill Really well done to Rachael and Tom winning the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals in a real mix of conditions
© Rob O'Neill Flat out plane to the start with the club behind on day 6 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill Ben Whaley and Chris Martin blast down the reach with the harbour enterance in the background on day 6 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill The swell at the gybe mark caught a number of competers out on day 5 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill Sam Barker and Ben Rayner line up for the gybe mark at the end of the second beat on day 5 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill Tom Stewart and Rob Allen power down the reach with the Weymouth seafront behind them on day 5 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill Sam and Leanne Thompson 3801 in the pack on the reach, first race on day 5 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill A rear sight - Tom Gillard hitting the gybe mark on day 5 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill Jerry Ibberson and Izzy Baker Bradbury just off at the start of the first race on day 5 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill First race conditions just don't get any better than this on day 5 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA
© Rob O'Neill
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