Merlin Rocket Sails

Design Notes

We have made Merlin sails for many years and have continued to develop new designs, particularly for the ever growing number of Carbon rigged boats around (especially the carbon masts of Alan Jackson at Chipstow Boatyard).

The current Merlin rig has standardised around a jib of 2.8 mtrs with a mainsail luff length of 5720 mm x 2500 mm foot. Most modern boats use a deck-stepped rig with a centre main hoop fitted with a traveller. The fully adjustable rig gives the crew instant control over the rig for all conditions. Either, an intuitive 'feel' backed up with a good knowledge of sail design and rig theory, or good calibration marking is required to get the best out of this type of rig.

The jib design has been standardised over the recent years and gives a good all round performance. The geometry is set up to accommodate the full range of mast rakes for boats with jib tracks inboard. Variations in geometry are catered for in consultation with the owner.

Mainsail designs are suited to the type of rig/mast set up and can be cut with fixed, lens or loose foot configurations. Dacron is used for older boats with laminates (Polyester, Pentex and Kevlar) for the front-end fleet sailors. The Kevlar laminates are particularly of interest to those wishing to optimise their rig weight.

The spinnaker design is intended for use on the long pole and gives good close and broad reaching speed. The construction has radial clews with cross cut major panels. All sails can be fitted with downhaul patches if required. Sail numbers are included and can be drawn on to save weight.

Jib

• 5.46 Contender Polykote Dacron
• Window fitted as standard

Mainsail

• 5.46 Contender Polykote Dacron
• Polyester, Pentex or Kevlar laminate available
• Fixed or loose foot available

Spinnaker

• Contender Dynalite (or Bainbridge AirX)
• Choice of colours
• Single or double downhaul