Westerly Merlin

[tyce]

I race against a Merlin in my moody 31, I am regularly surprised how good they are, when I first sailed against him I thought it would be a doddle but I got a surprise they do go well, the moody is a good bit faster but it's also longer, I don't think you will be disappointed. It's a bilge keel version of the Merlin.

 

[alant]

While this is probably valid for earlier bilge keel boats where generally the twin keels were not well shaped and often significantly less draft then the equivalent fins, later developments narrowed the gap by different designs and shapes to the keels and more draft. So later boats designed by Sadler, Feltham, Du Bois (as in the Merlin and Fulmar) and particularly Thomas narrowed the gap considerably. Stephen Jones Sadler 290 was also good, although there was not a fin keel equivalent to compare. A side by side "test" of the Martin Sadler designed 29 when the boats were new showed very little difference in overall performance.

The reality is that for general "family" cruising the greater potential flexibility of twin keels outweighs the small loss in outright sailing performance. However, if the requirement for regular drying out and shallower draft are removed, then there is little incentive to have twin keels.

What greater potential flexibility"?

You can't have it both ways, if "later designs" have "more draft", how does that relate to "shallower draft"?

PS
does "regular drying out", also include running aground & being stuck?

Also, what about 'slamming'?
See these extracts from the Sadler Owners Association

"I have a bilge keel Sadler 29 nad they certainly do slam if well heeled in fresh conditions. I'm not sure that they are different from any other bilge keeler as I believe that the slamming is the inevitable result of sometimes getting air between bilge and hull when heeled. Of course if you reef in then the boat doesnt heel so much and it doesnt slam.

Chris


173 Posts
Posted - 20/08/2001 : 11:28:25
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I agree with Mike, I owned a 29 with bilge keels and it was a great boat we went out in all weathers and never had a problem but you do get a fair bit of banging with the air/water between the keels to windward if you push too hard if you reef early and keep her a bit more upright it goes just as fast no slamming and much more comfortable. Its taken me years to find this out and I still tend to overpress with my 34. Do you need Bilge keels? The shallow keel version will not slam under normal conditions.
Good sailing
Chris.

parkerd1

19 Posts
Posted - 28/08/2001 : 03:48:46
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Iain,

I was interested in your concerns regarding 'slamming' of bilge keeled Sadlers. I have owned a B/K 34 for 9 years from new and I have found that it does slam badly going to windward. This is not just an audible thump but is a resonation felt thoughout the vessel (rather like banging a drum). Althoug it can be reduced by early reefing it cannot be entirely eliminated. It is certainly worse that other B/K yachts I have owned (Mirage 28 & Cobra 25) and, in my opinion, originates from the rounded hull form and widely splayed keels of the Sadler designs. I have spoken to local naval architect and have fitted approx 5cwt of removable extra internal ballast. This has helped a little with no apparent loss of performance. From all other aspects I am generally pleased with the boat but would opt for the shallow fin or even the lift keel if I were to buy again. I understand that it may be possible to swap from bilge to fin keels on the Sadler range but not vice versa - the dough mix which bonds the inner moulding to the hull extends further from the centre line up to where the keel roots are in the bilge keeler and thus provides reinforcement. I would be interested to hear whether this is indeed true and whether anyone who has satisfactorily carried out the convertion. Has anyone heard of a Sadler, or any other bilge-keeled boat for that matter, being damaged by 'slamming'

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[Tranona]

What greater potential flexibility"?

You can't have it both ways, if "later designs" have "more draft", how does that relate to "shallower draft"?

PS
does "regular drying out", also include running aground & being stuck?

Not sure why you seem to be having so much difficulty with understanding why some people prefer twin keel boats, so just to sum up what has already been said.

Ability to dry out level
Ability to use drying mooring
Less draft for access into shallow waters or harbours
Launched or taken out of water without a crane
Store ashore without a cradle

Generally (but not always) twin keel boats have less draft than single keel equivalents
Mostly (but not always) there is some loss in sailing performance, particularly to windward
Some designs are more prone to slamming, particularly at high angles of heel when the windward keel is near the surface.

You can "have it both ways" or rather a satisfactory compromise can be achieved in gaining benefits without significant loss of performance. For many people the compromise is worth it, otherwise such boats would not have sold in such large numbers and still be in demand today.

 

[Jimfish]

Hello jazdow

I have had my Merlin for 3 years now and would be pleased to share my views with you. If you are still considering this marque and want to discuss then just t send me a mail or call me. I will send my phone number by PM. Interesting how the replies to your original enquiry stray "off piste"isn't it?