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Merlin

Vessel numberHV000831

Builder Cliff A Probin

Date1948

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 7.5 m × 1.22 m, 1.93 tonnes (24.6 ft × 4 ft, 1.9 tons)

DescriptionMerlin was built in 1948 in Queenstown Tasmania by Cliff A. Probin. It was designed by well-known Sydney architect A.C Barber as one of the Derwent ‘D’ Classers, the first one design class to race on the Derwent River. Merlin is 24ft long, with a carvel hull built of huon pine. Its design parallels some of the later D Classers, as also seen in Peri (HV000180) which was built in 1951. Merlin’s hull, deck, superstructure and spars are predominantly original and in excellent condition. It originally raced under the ownership of Probin from 1949 to 1965, then passing on to C. C. Fuglsang from 1966-7. Merlin continues to race on the Derwent River today.

The Derwent class began in the late 1920s when local enthusiast Edwin Webster put up prize money for a design competition to create a simple and inexpensive inshore racing yacht. Strict specifications and restrictions were set down, and of the nine designs received, Barber's was the unanimous choice. The judges then suggested further improvements to suit local conditions, and a local yachtsman Percy Douglas redrafted the suggested changes and AC Barber altered the plans to the yacht's final configuration. Webster had the first hull built. The yacht was called IMP and by early 1928 a small fleet was well established, GNOME (HV000804) following at the tail end of the year.

The Derwent Class fleet continued to grow with the sponsorship of the Derwent Sailing Squadron. The class helped sustain yachting in Tasmania, providing a pathway from dinghy and skiff sailing into the larger keel classes. With a large powerful rig, the Derwents made for exciting harbour racing. Generations of Hobart sailors from the 1930's right through to the 1980's honed their sailing on these fast and demanding yachts.
SignificanceBuilt in 1948 Merlin is a later example of the long-lived 1920s Derwent Class racing yacht from Tasmania. This class was designed by well-known Sydney architect A.C Barber, and became the first one design class to race on the Derwent River. Merlin joins other D Classers Gnome (HV000804) and Peri (HV000180) on the ARHV.

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