Search found 534 matches

by Stephen Hawkins
Mon Jun 21, 2010 8:15 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Moving Quickly Along - Merlin 950
Replies: 52
Views: 13743

Moving Quickly Along - Merlin 950

I seem to be the new (prospective) owner of 950. The ebay auction was odd in that although someone else did bid they gave up after equalling my maximum bid. Hey ho :? So after having learnt that possibly a Proctor mkVIII is not perhaps one of the favourite Merlin marks, I now own one :roll: I also n...
by Stephen Hawkins
Sun Jun 20, 2010 8:41 pm
Forum: Events
Topic: Bough Beech - June 19th
Replies: 62
Views: 22893

Re: Bough Beech - June 19th

I had a similar experience when coming in from the last race, not 15 or 20 ft from the shore, and the water looking lighter from the stirred up mud. Jumped out to take control of the boat before we grounded, just to drop down to chest/shoulder height and I could feel with my feet the bottom dropping...
by Stephen Hawkins
Sat Jun 19, 2010 8:17 pm
Forum: Events
Topic: Bough Beech - June 19th
Replies: 62
Views: 22893

Re: Bough Beech - June 19th

Thanks to all for my first visit. From both myself and little Chris. Especially our helms! A prize as well - Nobody more suprised than I, after having been looking at most people's transoms for most of the Day Was it the Cotton sails? Or the fact that we finished all the races?......Or a bit of both...
by Stephen Hawkins
Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:19 am
Forum: Boats and bits wanted
Topic: Merlin rocket
Replies: 17
Views: 12450

Re: Merlin rocket

Martin,

I hope we do not end up stepping on each other toes.

I have put bid in on one of these already.

But I suppose, that is the way of it.

Steve Hawkins
by Stephen Hawkins
Thu Jun 17, 2010 4:19 pm
Forum: Banter
Topic: DSM....RIP!
Replies: 37
Views: 25005

Re: DSM....RIP!

I was taught to sail at Bowmoor sailing club near Lechlade back in the late 70's as a 12 year old. My dad very quickly got into bigger boats and much of our time was spent down at Poole, sailing out of Wareham. However, as a youngster, dinghy sailing is where its at, but I never really got to grips ...
by Stephen Hawkins
Thu Jun 17, 2010 10:33 am
Forum: Boat Identification and Dinghy History
Topic: CAN YOU NAME THIS DINGHY PLEASE
Replies: 42
Views: 15161

Re: CAN YOU NAME THIS DINGHY PLEASE

My memory is not what it was. But I think the missing Skeg is the most important reason why it is not a Heron?

Steve Hawkins
by Stephen Hawkins
Thu Jun 17, 2010 9:41 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Glue - Crystalisation
Replies: 14
Views: 4053

Glue - Crystalisation

Having announce a desire to own an old Merlin Rocket, I was wondering how the structure of one of these old 'war horses' would be holding up after 40/50/60 years..... Should I be concerned that I may have to completely disassemble and re-assemble it down the line? An extreme case, I know, but the ol...
by Stephen Hawkins
Thu Jun 17, 2010 8:38 am
Forum: Boat Identification and Dinghy History
Topic: CAN YOU NAME THIS DINGHY PLEASE
Replies: 42
Views: 15161

Re: CAN YOU NAME THIS DINGHY PLEASE

Aint like any heron I have owned........Acually I have owned only one and it was vintage 1959 wood on frame variety. But I have seen a fair few. The rear tank and the funny moulding line that runs under the gunnel is unusual. the heron also has a very pronounced Skeg, which this boat does not have. ...
by Stephen Hawkins
Wed Jun 16, 2010 10:16 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Dreaming of Merlin Rockets
Replies: 30
Views: 12179

Re: Dreaming of Merlin Rockets

I plan to be there well before 10 am, but we all know about best laid plans of mice and men.

My mobile is 07511135033, text me and then I will have your number in case there are any issues on the day - it will only be traffic.

Cheers

Steve Hawkins
by Stephen Hawkins
Wed Jun 16, 2010 8:22 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Dreaming of Merlin Rockets
Replies: 30
Views: 12179

Re: Dreaming of Merlin Rockets

Yes, One of you will get a fat crew(me) and the other a sullen teenager :lol: But my son is warming to the idea. He has a Cadet (2771), a mid fifties example, currently and we had planned that he would be with Cadets for another season....So he had eyes on my old Miracle to move on to next year........
by Stephen Hawkins
Tue Jun 15, 2010 3:05 pm
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Dreaming of Merlin Rockets
Replies: 30
Views: 12179

Re: Dreaming of Merlin Rockets

Yes I know what you are saying. Its over 2 hours from me with the crazy route that Multimap has just given me. A 7 am start should get us there in plenty of time for 10 am as long as the M4, M3 and M25 are not too bad. I am not mad enough to ask the wife for a lift to anywhere at that time of day :r...
by Stephen Hawkins
Tue Jun 15, 2010 11:25 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Dreaming of Merlin Rockets
Replies: 30
Views: 12179

Re: Dreaming of Merlin Rockets

Chris, Now its time to be really cheeky and ask you to come via Swindon and pick us up :wink: I can assist with fuel......As I will be saving a packet.. I am on the bottom left right hand corner of Swindon, near where the A419 joins the M4, if you come up via Devizes/Avebury? (Post code: SN3 6AT. Ho...
by Stephen Hawkins
Tue Jun 15, 2010 10:38 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Most Apt class name
Replies: 14
Views: 4166

Re: Most Apt class name

Perhaps its a Miracle that the class is still going and they are still being made (4000+). A slight resurgence in recent years?

.....A Miracle sailor who has been pretty happy over the last few years with his 30 year old 3 sail boat...

Steve Hawkins
by Stephen Hawkins
Tue Jun 15, 2010 9:11 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Dreaming of Merlin Rockets
Replies: 30
Views: 12179

Re: Dreaming of Merlin Rockets

Are you going on Saturday only? I also have a son that I would like to bring along (to keep him out of trouble and that way only leave my daughter with my wife) He is a Cadet helm, and can handle a spinnaker of the 'chuck' variety. He has been sailing for 6 years and is sub 9 stone.....If that matte...
by Stephen Hawkins
Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:37 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Dreaming of Merlin Rockets
Replies: 30
Views: 12179

Re: Dreaming of Merlin Rockets

Chris,

What are your plans for this weekend with regard to Bough Beech?

Cheers

Steve Hawkins