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[FEET]

Two FEET I said not two FATHOMS

Yep - plenty of advice regarding decks.  My advice having done patching and re-decking, is to get the old decks off, let the hull dry out  and use Robbins Elite ply.  Use epoxy and do the job right first time - it will save a load of hassle leter on when a temporary fix needs to be redone.  See below for a re-deck of a Merlin built in 1951.  I have done 2 merlins and a Firefly.
http://www.cvrda.org/coppermine/thumbnails.php?album=17
 

On sale on ebay in May 2010 but looked a bit shot.

Talking of boat numbers I have a nice picture of me sailing Merlin 111 being crossed by Merlin No 1222 - exactly 1111 boats after mine!!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Majestic-12-clinker-built_W0QQitemZ320503594520QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Sporting_Goods_Sailing_Boats_ET?hash=item4a9f80be18
Here is a sad sight and it looks like a National 12.  It has the hoop transom horse, is missing the stern deck and has a hefty centreplate by the look of it.  It is unribbed.  Any of the vintage people recognise the design?  I am not the seller I hasten to add.  At the price and condition I am not that optimistic and would be too embarrassed to let a boat slip away like that.  The trolley looks a cracker too!!

Best name I ever saw was
 
"A l'eau, c'est l'heure"
 
Brilliant!!!!

Not sure where you are but if you go to the Merlin website discussion group there was someone looking for the same thing as you and there were a lot of contacts there.  The title was rubbing strakes and spinnaker chute lip or something similar - it is still there.

Rain and Sun have been good for me but everyone has their opinion.

Given that a 12 and a Firefly are the same length the balance should be fine.  More important then would be the profile of the hull and of course these are different.  However I manage to fit Firefly and Merlins and Enterprise on the same trailer (not at the same time I hasten to add!!) by using a piece of plywood with two battens on one side which locate over the hull supports. You need two of these.  This was treated with G4 pond sealer (varnish will do) and  on the other side of the ply I have some grey foam material which was packing for a scientific instrument which I came by and this is contact adhesived onto the ply.  They slip over the bearer and provide . good cushioning.  I strap down with a ratchet strap - a good industrial on which won't chape or snap.  I also use a breack back to get the tension in the right place so the strap doesn't crush the boat inwards.  A rope or smaller strap holds the bow down.  For holding all the rigging to the mast I use cushioned tie wires - you can get them in Homebase but they are great.  Quick, soft against a wooden mast and really secure.  Like all boats being towed on a trailer the most important thing is to make sure that the weight is taken on the keel.  The side parts are for lateral support.  Hope this helps.

There has been a suggestion - and at this stage it really is a sugestion that the CVRDA might hold a Nationals at St Mary's Loch just over the border into Scotland.  Rules for CVRDA are boats designed before 1965 and must be over 25 years old.  Before St Marys was approached to see if we could get a separate start at their Regatta (English Bank Holiday Weekend) I was wondering whether this might encourage any Vintage 12 guys (and other old boat owners) to attend from the more Northern end of the country.  The racing would be Saturday/Sunday if we were allowed and there is camping on site plus a PUB and a CEILIDH I am led to understand.  Would there be any support???  As I said this is just a feeler but I'll keep you informed.  Bear in mind it was a 12 which is the CVRDA Nats champion in 2009 (Phil and Alison Philpott) and they travelled to Roadford in Devon.

It's the sailing equivalent of Cluedo - the world's best planned murder
"It was the wife who did it, in the garage with the National 12"

Lovely parallel tell tales on the jib in the last picture - well done that crew.
 
The guy in the Optimist was having a very hard time with the pattern on the 12.  He was a-mazed!!

I think it is Tony Blackmore......... at sailsport areally helpful guy and competitive prices
http://www.sail-sport.com/

How strong are these poles - would they make a spinnaker pole or is that asking for trouble?

The song "Isn't she lovely, isn't she wonderful" comes to mind when you see these pictures - and I had a girlfriend called Tessa once upon a wonderful time so the memories are complete!!