#MyMerlinTribe at the RYA Dinghy Show 2019
by Lou Johnson 23 Feb 2019 00:06 PST
Brand new Merlin Rocket 'Khalessi' © Simon Potts
The theme for the 2019 RYA Dinghy Show is #MyDinghyTribe and the Merlin Rocket Owners Association
feels this is very apt, as we like to think of ourselves as a bit of a tribe, we are the #MyMerlinTribe.
We are practically one big family, and to be honest, if you look at the number of marriages within
the class, we are almost there! Sailors who compete on the circuit range from Olympic champions
through to club racers and you will find sailors from across the fleet on stand B16, talking about the
boats on the stand, how to get involved in the class, and where the popular clubs are across the
country that sail Merlin Rockets.
But what's going to be on display and why should you take time out of your day to come and see us?
We will be launching our 'Magic Marine Ticket to Looe' where one lucky under 25 pairing will be in
with a chance of winning the use of the class Merlin Rocket, a FREE entry to the Aspire Merlin Rocket
Nationals, PLUS £500 worth of Magic Marine sailing kit to keep!
In 2019 we are running Gold, Silver and Bronze flights across the Silver Tiller as well National
Championships. Driven by Olly Turner, Silver Tiller coordinator, the MROA has funded mugs for each
Silver Tiller where the first Silver and Bronze boat will be rewarded. Fleets to be announced before
the season starts!
Throughout the weekend, we will be running Q&A's session with top sailors from the fleet. Come
and learn from the best in the fleet.
Onto the boats...
There will be two boats on display; 3802 Khazeesi and 3684 Keyser Soze.
Simon and Ally Potts will have their new mean racing machine Khazeesi on display. There are a
couple of things about the Merlin Rocket, firstly we are a restricted development class, meaning
sailors can tweak certain aspects of the boat in an attempt to gain a competitive advantage over the
competition. Secondly whatever you do, you have to look good doing it!
Over the past few years, traditional non-slip has been replaced with various forms of non-slip
rubber, and 3802 has the latest custom designed 6mm routed and inlayed logo none slip floor grip
from SeaDeck. This has been fitted by Technical Marine Sales (TMS) Sales Manager Tim Parsons who
has recently joined the fleet.
Other new things to keep an eye out for are there is no
jib halyard, they are using a true fixed luff tensioning
system along the bow tank. This is the 2019 hull tweak
from Winder Boats, with a split thwart as well as being
widening to allow for 11 controls either side.
They have also changed the jib and spinnaker sheeting
position, as well as adopting the Rockatross designed jib
car/barber fittings made by Jon Turner.
Simon and Ally will be hoisting their P&B sails, which
with the jib tack forward they have a slightly larger jib
area of 3.02m, and a slightly smaller foot in the main.
This is a sail plan they have used for the last four years.
Myth buster coming up.....
To be competitive do I need to spend £25,000 on a new boat?
WRONG!
The boat that won the Craftinsure Silver Tiller, finished second in Salcombe, fourth at the Aspire
National Championships and went onto win the 2018 Grand Slam (the highest place boat at all major
events), was 3684, Keyser Soze, launched in January 2007 making her 12 years old.
The owner must have made loads of changes to it?
WRONG!
Andy 'Taxi' Davis has owned 3684 since new and has made only minor modifications as development
has occurred. Changes include moving the jib tack forward and increasing the size of the spinnaker
chute. The hull remains unmodified, and as such this is a Winder Boats Mk 4. He has updated the rig,
and carried out general maintenance, these are all tweaks that are relatively easy to do and keep
you boat competitive at not too much of a terrifying upgrade cost.
Andy, from HD Sails, will have his sails on display. Although, adopting the tack forward approach he
has kept the traditional sail area plan, maintaining the 2.8m Jib sail area.
Do I need to buy a new boat to be competitive?
No. Come and talk to us, pick up the latest 'For Sale'
list and see how you can get involved in 2019.
"At the moment I have not seen anything faster out on the water, so I don't see the need to
upgrade. There are some hull modifications that will be hitting the water this year, so I will be
watching closely as to how they get on. Never say never, but now I am really pleased with how we
are going," comments Andy.
On the stage
Pippa Kilsby will be taking to the Class Association Stage at the show on Sunday 3rd March at 11am to
talk about the class and the plans for 2019. Come along to support Pippa and find out more.
"I'm really look forward to the show once again this year. As well as the two boats on the Merlin
Rocket stand, I believe there may be a couple of others around the show. We have plenty to see, and
I'm particularly pleased with who we have helping on the stand, showing the depth of the sailors in
the fleet and how no matter what level your sailing ability is, we are all here to learn and share our
knowledge. See on stand B16!"
Get 10% off your tickets to the show using the following code: RYAEX46522
For more details on the class visit www.merlinrocket.co.uk or check out Merlin Rocket on Facebook,
Twitter and Instagram #MerlinRocket.