Merlin Rocket restoration

[wombat88]

Its a lovely boat. The OP is getting a lot of advice but has yet to test the hull. I recommend a traditional approach. Yes it will leak as it takes up in the traditional way but it might not be too bad. I'm from the 'don't mend it if you don't yet know its broken' school.

I had a very leaky N12 from the late '40s. I looked into how the rowing eights on theThames bail in choppy conditions expecting high tec. None of it. A 12v alarm battery and a cheap bilge pump can be made to work very efficiently and doesn't spoil a nice sail. Just don't fix it in one position because it will aways be the wrong position. In a Merlin you will have a crew, give them something to do.

 

[Daydream believer]

Its a lovely boat. The OP is getting a lot of advice but has yet to test the hull. I recommend a traditional approach. Yes it will leak as it takes up in the traditional way but it might not be too bad. I'm from the 'don't mend it if you don't yet know its broken' school.

I had a very leaky N12 from the late '40s. I looked into how the rowing eights on theThames bail in choppy conditions expecting high tec. None of it. A 12v alarm battery and a cheap bilge pump can be made to work very efficiently and doesn't spoil a nice sail. Just don't fix it in one position because it will aways be the wrong position. In a Merlin you will have a crew, give them something to do.

Once it get wet other options are limited. . You would not expect to have 12 V batteries & bilge pumps in Merlin Rockets. It is not a cruiser, it is a dinghy. Dinghies need a self bailer & a simple plastic bailer for the more drastic situations.
Is the OP expecting to leave it on a mooring? My recollection of them is one of a fairly unstable craft.