2026 marks a rather majestic milestone... the Merlin Rocket turns 80 and the class will launch its celebrations in style at the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2026 on stand J34.
80 years, that's eight decades of hiking hard, shouting 'gust!', arguing (politely, of course) about tactics, and enjoying some of the finest two-person dinghy sailing the UK has to offer. Let's see what's on show.
On display
There will be three Merlin Rockets on display the latest Winder Boats design, a new Rockatross build by JJ Boats plus Gently, boat number 16, the very boat that won our National Championships in 1946 with Jack Holt at the helm and Beecher Moore as crew. Gently won a total of four championships, three with Holt and Moore in 1946, 1947 and 1949, before Moore took to the helm with Ian Proctor as crew and went on to win in 1950. Moore was the first of only four people to win a Merlin Rocket Nationals as helm and crew.
Celebrate with us
Stuart Jenkins, Chairman of the Merlin Rocket, invites Merlin Rocket sailors, past, present and future, to join us on the stand at 1200 each day at the show. He will say a few wise and undoubtedly witty words, and then we'll do what sailors do best... gather for cake and share stories from over the years.
Please join us at midday on stand J34, Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd of February 2026.
Audience participation
We're also creating a Merlin Rocket Memory Board, a glorious gallery of questionable haircuts, vintage buoyancy aids, heroic hiking (or enthusiastic flapping), and boats you're still convinced were faster 'back in the day'.
This is where you come in.
We want your earliest Merlin Rocket photos. The older and more gloriously retro, the better. Dig deep into those albums.
Email your photos to publicity@merlinrocket.co.uk by Tuesday 17 February and please include (in known):
The year
The boat name/number
Who's sailing
Alternatively, bring them along to the show (A6 or smaller please) and pin them proudly on our board. We'll have pens and paper ready too, so you can add a few words, tall tales, tactical genius, or fond memories of swimming.
Let's give Merlin Rocket's 80th the celebration it deserves.
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