by John Knotts

I purchased a Merlin (Wizard 2501) last November. I have sailed this for a full season after doing some remedial work to get the vessel seaworthy as it had been left laid up for several years.

For the last few years I have crew raced with our Keelers while sharing a Cav.39 I joined our active cruising division of Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club and have been amazed at the sailing enjoyment our harbour has to offer trailer yachts, and am also amazed at the enjoyment to be had from owning a trailer yacht. Having sailed keelers for most of my life, my last vessel was a 62ft ketch so you can see I have come down in size but not in enjoyment.

I have been very disappointed in performance of the Merlin in the light conditions, she was well behind the Sabres and Farr 6000s, but is a good volume very strong laid up and comfortable when cruising, even when we had 12-15knt the other boats had the legs.

I therefore embarked on modifications this winter. I have fitted a scoop of about 600mm, the main has been replaced and the boom lengthened from mainsail foot of 2.45m to 3.45m. This has increased the sail area from approx 7.5sq.m to 13.5sq.m with a fully battened main with the first reef bringing the area to the old main dimensions. I have also placed more lead on the rudder as the centre of effort has moved aft a little Launching is eagerly awaited by all at our club and I think I may have to have the first sail in the dark to save possible embarrassment. I have tried to get information on Merlins but there does not seem to be an Association for them. I would like to find out more technical information on these vessels and would like to make contact with others who own one of these yachts to share information.

Others may be interested in this conversion as it has improved the light weather and general performance by about 50-60%. I have had full main in 15-20 Knots and was able to just let the main sheet go when pressed the boat showed no sign of being over canvassed but a tuck in the main would have made for an easier ride but I found myself single handed in restricted waters and was going to weather so was not an option at the time.

The only problem has been the fitting of running backstays, due to the length of the new boom. While this is a pain setting these up each tack it becomes insignificant considering the speed advantage. I tried to sail without the runners but the sag in the fore stay was too much. The vessel now points much higher, has more buoyancy aft so three in the cockpit is not a problem. With three to four on board in the past water came up the cockpit drains as the stern depressed. The fully battened main with lazy jacks is great when single handed. Getting the main up at times can be a problem as you need to power up to windward to set the main. My wife and I have not had much trouble with this you just have to be careful. They double as a topping lift. I made the straps out of webbing with a pop rivet under the boom and an eye to tie off the lazy jacks.

I removed the mainsheet track and car from the bridge deck and have a horse aft to take the sheet. This means a crew can sit on the bridge deck with feet down on the steps without the hassle of the car sliding back and forth. The scoop stern was formed with 3mm ply on lands at the stern then 40mm foam with glass over.