Merlin Rocket Technical Drawings

To anyone unfamiliar with the class, the rig controls of the modern Merlin Rocket are an almost incomprehensible jumble of blocks, control lines and cleats. The level of sophistication and complication is found in very few other classes. But if you were building a Merlin Rocket from scratch, how would you untangle all the ropes and correctly install a useable system?

I have started this page in order to provide some informative diagrams, photographs and drawings to describe some of the more arcane aspects of the various controls. In a second section you will find more historical information - lines of vintage Merlin Rockets, for example.

1. Jon Turner's MUSKETEER SPINNAKER POLE LAUNCH SYSTEM
2. The integrated controls for adjustment of CAPSHROUDS and LOWERS
3. The combined system for raking the rig: The "ONE STRING" SYSTEM CONTROLS UNDER THE MAST
4. The combined system for raking the rig: The "ONE STRING" SYSTEM CONTROLS IN COCKPIT
5. The VANG SYSTEM
6. The SPINNAKER POLE DOWNHAULS
7. Photo of the blocks at the base of the king post

HISTORICAL ARCHIVE

1. The lines of a BANANA BOAT type of Merlin Rocket, developed by Jack Holt for river sailing in the 1950s. These lines may possibly be of MR 607 "Crescendo", for a long time a resident of Tamesis Club - and still there in 2012. Jack's later PASSING CLOUD design (generally accepted as the best of his river boat designs) is much flatter floored (i.e. less vee in the sections), but retains the characteristic rocker, with the ends well clear of the water.
   Click on the picture below to see a larger view.

This page is under development.

Last updated 2 July 2012