Forums, MROA Forum

The entry list is now open for this event, please enter asap. We have booked the Ley Arms at Kennford (a lovely Devon country pub) for the Saturday evening dinner but they require menu choice 3 days beforehand. The menu can be found on their website, please email Steve Harling with your choice, Steve’s contact details are on the Starcross Yacht Club entry. Look forward to seeing you soon.

You are all invited to Upper Thames for Bourne End Week 2026. 
Merlins and handicap fleet will be racing from Saturday 23rd to Monday 25th May.

Bookings are now open so please indicate your interest ASAP.
Sailing: https://www.utsc.org.uk/event/1363905
Socials: https://www.utsc.org.uk/event/1307969

Don't forget to book the legendary Cocktail Party, followed by DJ Lindy Layton!

NoR:
https://www.utsc.org.uk/uploads/2084739/download

Places are still available for the Merlin Class Training 2026 – Sat 9th – Sun 10 May at Rutland Sailing Club.

Cost is £120 per boat – fantastic value for 2 days of training from our experienced coaching team at £30 per person per day if you can spit it with your crew! Reasonably priced accommodation is available onsite too.

Topics to be covered include rig setup and tuning, what to adjust and when during racing, racecourse strategy and tactics, starting techniques, communication in the boat and all the performance gains that add up to real speed. Kickstart Your 2026 Season and book today!

Link: Merlin Training Weekend

The coaching will be aimed at sailors from the middle of the Gold Fleet through to those new to the Bronze Fleet, but the weekend is open to everyone.

Hi All. Just to confirm that the Youth Training session 4 and Youth Championships scheduled to be held at Bartley SC on 3 and 4 May have been postponed. We are seeking an alternative venue and date. Details to follow.

I need a crew for at least the Sunday 24th . I sail 3785 , which is a Winder 5 , now with Dave Lee’s excellent Gabriel sails.

Robin Charles

Hello All,

Entry to the Parkstone Silver Tiller and SW circuit open meeting this Saturday 18/4/26, is now live on the link below. We are looking forward to welcoming the fleet for a day of stunning harbour racing, and we have tea (and other beverages) and 80th Birthday cake waiting for after sailing. Feel free to bring your boats down on Friday, the club is open from 09.00 to 22.00, for the answers to any other questions please DM Ben Archer the Class Captain at PYC.

Link to Entry:

https://www.myclubaccount.co.uk/parkstoneyc/ClubEvents?event=cc38441c-6761-d903-faea-f9536f72c8ad

Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Merlin Rocket Owners’ Association will be held on Saturday 4th July 2026.

Hi Everyone,

Ahead of the Midland ST on Sunday, we have updated the fleets for the helms for the Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Aspire Financial Advisers National Championships and the Allen Sailing Inlands 2026. We have changed the criteria slightly with the key aims of:

1. Ensuring competitors are in the correct fleet that reflects their ability
2. Aiming to reduce the platinum division, which had grown disproportionately and should be mostly Pro or Semi – level sailors
3. A reflection that while some sailors may have achieved top results in other classes, that hasn’t yet transferred to the Merlin Rocket and they should not be unfairly handicapped as a result.
4. People’s circumstances change – we want to ensure we can reflect that.
5. Remembering it’s supposed to be fun and to ensure everyone is hopefully racing their peers.

If you see a [W] after your name, it’s because you won your fleet last season at the Nationals or in the Silver Tiller. Well done you!!

If you are not on the list but you have paid your membership for this year then please contact Rebecca Videlo (Membership Secretary). If you would like to participate in the fleet series and are not a member of the association, please consider joining. You have until 31 March 26 to pay your MROA membership subs (if you haven’t already). If you don’t, then your ST results will be scrubbed until you do – you have been warned

You also have until 31 March 26 to appeal your fleet by email only to Paul Dean – vicechairman@merlinrocket.co.uk. After that you will be set for this season, unless you are an obvious ringer in which case someone will be “avin’ a word” with you in a boat-park somewhere

BTW – you cannot appeal anyone other than yourself!!!!

We are looking forward to catching up with everyone on the water soon. Best wishes, MROA Committee

Fleets 2026

hi is this going ahead and if so how please do we sign up? thanks

NEW MERCH ALERT!

We have teamed up with South Coast Embroidery for our amazing new merchandise available to purchase online – available in male, female and kids options.

We’ve got changing robes, polos, t-shirts, jumpers, hats, a fleece plus quick dry tops and a kids range too. Head to the link to check the sizes, colours and order at https://merlinrocketclothing.s…

Samples will be available to see and try on at the Wembley Sailing Club open in March.

The first order deadline is the 29th March for collection at the Salcombe Yacht Club April event.

Orders being posted out will be after that. If possible please try and collect from Salcombe or designate someone to collect on your behalf, it makes it easier for our embroiders!

Next batch will be in time for Upper Thames Sailing Club Bourne End Week.

2025 Midland Circuit prize giving will be at the Toby inn stone bridge island A45 CV7 7HL @ 7.30pm on the 10th March.

regards

Paul

We are pleased to let you know that the 2025 Autumn magazine is now available to view online. This is the link to the online magazine: https://publuu.com/flip-book/310366/2249912

We hope you enjoy it!

Welcome to the Merlin Rocket youth training programme 2026. If you are within the aged 16 to 25, are an experienced dinghy racer (maybe in other classes) and want to learn to race a Merlin Rocket this initiative is for you! The Merlin Rocket class invites you join our four part training programme, one of the most exciting doubled handed classes in the UK. To ensure a level playing field and that participants get the most from the sessions, you must an experienced dinghy racer in both boat handling and the racing rules as this course is not aimed at those learning to sail. Participants younger than 16 will also be considered at the organisers discretion.

You do not need to attend all four sessions to benefit from this course. Each session must be entered online via the MROA portal.

The course is led by Courtney Bilbrough, who is an RYA race coach and has competed internationally in the 29er class. Other experienced championship level Merlin sailors will also be on hand to assist with the training at each venue.

Subject to weather conditions, the course aims are summarised below:

‘Understanding the controls and rigging’ – Using controls to keep control.

Daily plan A (dependant on conditions):

- 09.00 arrival at the venue

- 09.30 start of the course

- 1 x short land session

- 1 x longer on water session

- Debrief

- 16.30 Send off

Simple catering will be available, but you may wish to bring your own food, especially if you have special dietary requirements.

Objectives of the course: How to get the most out of your Merlin, Sail the boat to its maximum speed.

Sessions 1 and 3: Technical focus (Fishers Green SC 1 and RCYC)

Session 2 and 4: Technique focus (Fishers Green SC 2 and Bartley SC)

Programme will cover: Setup and rigging, effects of all the adjustable on the rig, boat speed – set-up, boat speed – technique and roles.

Once we get past the first session, the aims and objectives may grow and expand based on feedback as to what people would find useful to go over. It’s tailored coaching to fit the needs of the group with an overarching theme on controls and speed.

You do not need a boat to participate but if you can arrange to borrow one, that would help. Please let the organisers know in advance.

Each session is limited to a maximum of 20 participants (10 boats).

Entries are now live and can be booked via the website.

Queries should be sent to Paul Dean e: vicechairman@merlinrocket.co.uk

Hi everyone,

The Silver Tiller has been at the heart of the Merlin Rocket class for over 60 years. Over time, the format has evolved, and in recent years the committee has made changes to try to keep it relevant, well-attended and meaningful.

However, it’s clear from conversations with members that we may not have got it quite right yet — or at least not right for everyone.

The 2026 programme is already set, but we are now planning for 2027 and would really value your views on how the Silver Tiller (and Silver Pole) should work in the future.

Where we are now

• 18 events in total
• 6 Sea, 6 Open, 6 Restricted
• 4 results to qualify; 1 Sea, 1 Open, 1 Restricted plus one other sea, open, restricted or one may be a regional series result.

What we’re asking

Rather than a tick-box survey, we’re inviting open feedback. Please tell us:

• What works well
• What doesn’t
• What you would change (number of events, categories, qualification, anything else)

Short comments are absolutely fine — this doesn’t need to be an essay.

How to respond (choose any)

• Email: vicechairman@merlinrocket.co.uk
• Message me directly (WhatsApp / in person)

All responses will be reviewed by the committee, with recurring ideas and strong themes shaping the 2027 programme. If we don’t hear from you, we’ll assume you’re broadly content with the current approach.

This consultation closes Monday 23 February 2026
(the day after the Dinghy Show).

The committee is here to serve the membership, and we genuinely want the Silver Tiller to reflect what the class values most. Thank you in advance for taking a moment to share your thoughts.

Best regards,
Paul Dean
Vice Chairman
On behalf of the MROA Committee

Please join us for the Tamesis Merlin Rocket Travellers’ series which will run from Jan 11th to March 8th.

Revel in the fun of racing against an array of boats from across the history of our class – regular competitors range from 522 to 3675.

Fees are £50 for temporary membership, free mooring if in the dinghy park, otherwise £25 in the covered ‘chicken run’ or £50 in the boat shed (last two options both subject to availability).

Notice of race is here – https://www.tamesisclub.co.uk/…

(Please forgive the typo in the URL, this is the correct link to get you to the 2026 Travellers’ series.)

Any questions, just shout !

Rob Hatley

Hi all,

We are looking for an over boom cover for our MK1 winder merlin and wonder if someone has one that they’re not using anymore?

Dave and Robyn, Prologue 3581

We are holding an open frostbite series every Sunday morning from 11 January to 29 March 2026.

Four races each day

Committee boat starts

Amazing prizes

Full rescue cover

Hot showers

Food &bar

Visitors entry fee £10 per day or £50 for series

More information please contact Peter Crompton – p.crompton@hotmail.com

Yes, it’s that time again! The forecast gives the wind in the right direction, the bacon rolls are on order, the pontoon launching from Bell Hill is tried and tested, so all we need now is you to come and sail on one of the best reaches of the Thames.

It’s the same format as previous years, Saturday it’s the Vintage Wing for the De May trophy, Sunday is part of the Thames Series, open to Merlins of any age. Saturday night is curry night. Details are on the website (hamptonsailingclub.com) including details of how to enter on line – £15 a day or a bargain £20 for both days with overnight secure boat storage. We will be taking entries on the day, but of course it helps us to know how many are coming to get in appropriate amounts of beer, cake, lunch etc.

Any queries please get in touch

Andrew

a.mills3511@gmail.com 07903 955271

The Silver Tiller and Silver Pole standings for 2025 are now online https://www.merlinrocket.co.uk…

With a number of events available on the Silver Tiller and the regional circuits there is still plenty of opportunity to qualify, check out the calendar here https://portal.merlinrocket.co…

Details of the end of season at Lymington Town coming soon. Save the date 18th October 2025!

Join us for the UTSC Merlin Open on Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th September, with the De May Vintage Series and Spade Oak Bowl (open to non vintage) on the Saturday and the Thames Series on the Sunday. Racing on both days will start at approximately 11am.

Camping is available on Friday and Saturday nights. A Sri Lankan-inspired meal will be served on Saturday evening.Sri Lankan chicken curry with rice or a vegetarian curry option will be provided by Prema’s Kitchen.
Cost: £20 per person.

Note: Booking will open soon and close on Sunday evening, August 31st. We look forward to welcoming you to the club again!

Guy

Just to provide clarity on the Stone event over this weekend.
The SE series closing races are Saturday 4th Oct with the SE prize giving the Saturday evening.
The Silver Tiller (O) is Saturday and Sunday with usual prizegiving asap after Sunday racing.

Helen & Geoff, together with the team at Stone always pull out the stops to make these great events, so do please plan this into your diaries, support the event and look forward to a super time there!

Just a reminder that Bartley’s open is coming up, you can now enter online as well (£20). We’re looking forward to seeing everyone. Why not come and join us for club racing on the Saturday and make a weekend out of it?

Just a quick note to say that for those of you who need, like me, to negotiate a complex passage from harbour to sea via numerous pontoons and crowded quays I have found the performance of the Thrust Me Kicker Electic Outboard excellent. With a helmsman and crew having an all up weight of about 270 kg we managed to navigate out of the port of Salerno and back into port at about 4km distance using about 40% of battery power. Yesterday covering about half the distance single handed I used only 10% of battery power. You can view my set up at “Magia Bianca” 3180 Italian Merlin Rocket Happy Sailing Everyone

Bookings are open for Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week 2026 from today, 18th August 2025. Please share with your fellow sailors looking to enter https://www.salcombeyc.org.uk/…

Shoreham Sailing Club are delighted to welcome the Merlin class on the 26 – 27 July.

Come and experience the home of real sea sailing, with easy sheltered launching in the harbour and a short sail out to sea to the race area. Shoreham is renowned for its fantastic waves and regular sea breeze and on occasion the sight of dolphins playing.

• Free camping available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please email merlinfleet@shorehamsailing.org if you intend to camp so we can plan.
• Catering by Fete n Lime
• Bar open on Saturday night with DJ Phantom Spinner in the decks.

https://members.shorehamsailin…