Westerly Merlin

A WELL-MAINTAINED DAY SAILER IN LOVELY CONDITION



To be re-launched in May after annual maintenance and recent improvements.

'Morning Star' is a very well-maintained, lightly used, 'little big yacht'.



This Westerly Yacht Merlin Special Edition yacht 'Morning Star' is a comfortable day-cruiser with twin bilge keels so ideal for those looking for a 'little big yacht'

The recent improvements listed below were commissioned by the current Owner who is a highly-qualified and very experienced Cruising Instructor on larger yachts.



The current Owner travelled around the UK seeking a good example of a Westerly Merlin and promptly bought this yacht on the East Coast just before Covid improving it after transportation to the West Country.

In Plymouth, the rigging was inspected and renewed as necessary.

Thus, 'Morning Star' benefits from recent new rigging and the installation of lazy-jacks so single-handed sailing of this Westerly Merlin is even easier.



The previous East Coast owners enjoyed this Westerly Merlin for about 15 years and invested much

expenditure including: a new diesel engine in 2007 (only about 950 hours to date) some new Jekyll sails in 2010 and much more. All listed in 'Chronology'.



Westerly Yachts introduced the Merlin class in 1984 being their first with an aft one-and-a-half berth cabin. Strongly built (Lloyd's Certified - SOU 510211 refers) with spacious and attractive accommodation due to the interior joinery including a lovely holly and ash cabin sole.

In addition there is excellent velour upholstery so the interior seems much younger than the age of the hull.



This proven Westerly Merlin yacht has good sailing performance so 'Morning Star' makes an ideal day cruiser which benefits from twin bilge keels.

Also, in build, 'Morning Star' was fitted with the optional wooden laminates to the head/ceiling of the main saloon thus eliminating the 'Westerly droop' as there is no conventional head-lining in the main saloon.



Only for sale as the Vendor, being a Cruising Instructor, receives regular invitations to sail in sunny climes on larger yachts belonging to others. Hard to refuse such invitations which is why 'Morning Star' needs a new custodian.



Significant recent improvements include:

*1 new sprayhood to match the colour of the recent lazy-jacks bag,

*2 matching dodgers;

*3 a Merlin cruising chute

*4 new UV edging strip to jib

*5 ew Harken main sheet system

*6 cockpit and fore-deck re-painted.



Recent regular maintenance work such as:

* new anodes

* new anti-foul

* checking and replacing as required some of the jib-sheet track car rollers,

* marking the chain every 5 metres

* pressure washing and hull polishing.



Broker's Comments. With only three owners from new Morning Star has benefitted from regular equipment

updates and/or replacements.

I know 'Morning Star; well having brokered the Sale on the Ease Coast from the Owners who had 15 years of enjoyment aboard this yacht.

This Westerly Merlin presents well with a delightful interior - there is much charm and character aboard this neat and tidy yacht.

Extensive history file.

Ready to use, complete with warps and fenders.

Sail away and enjoy.



(Possibility of optional 2.3 m tender and electric outboard).





Chronology - Care and Improvements

The following gives an insight into the well-cared-for nature of this 1985 Westerly Merlin Special Edition:



2007 New Nanni 3.75HE 21HP marine engine (freshwater closed-circuit cooling)

2007 New 3 bladed propeller

2010 New Standing Rigging (Invoice available)

2010 New Jeckell's mainsail in premium Marblehead woven Dacron and lightly used since. (Slab reefing with 3 reefing points and 2 reefing lines running to cockpit jammers with ram's horn at mast)

2010 New Jeckells furling genoa in premium Marblehead woven Dacron with UV strip and lightly used since

2010 New mainsail cover in burgundy

2010 New sprayhood with clear panels and grab rail

2016 New vision panels to spray hood

2017 New acetal cutlass bearing

2018 New engine battery

2020 The cast iron bilge ballast keels were grit blasted and re-primed by Larkmans of Woodbridge

2020 Running rigging replaced (Cruising Dyneema)

2021 Stanchions checked and guard rail wires renewed

2021 Thorough standing and running rigging inspection.



The following all approved in Plymouth after road transport from the East Coast

New runners at top of mast

New halyard and new furler

New, mast head VHF/Windex unit

New Haarken furling system

New mainsail bag and lazy-jacks

New Stackpack Weathermax

All before re-rigging in Plymouth.

New fender and mooring lines

2021 Polished hull

2022 Two new 110Amp/hr batteries installed

2024 New dodgers and lazy-jack sail bag

2024 Painted fore-deck and cockpit

2024 New spray-hood and new dodgers

2024 Topsides pressure washed and polished

2025 New anodes and new anti-foul, pressure washing, etc.



More Information

The following is additional data about 'Morning Star' being a Westerly Merlin Special Edition day-cruiser:



* Deck and superstructure in white with grey non-slip panels to deck, coach-roof, cockpit coamings and lockers

* Transom hung rudder with tiller steering

* Self-draining cockpit

* Fractional sloop rig

* Silver anodised aluminium alloy mast

* Boom and spinnaker pole by Kemp

* Deck stepped mast

* Headsail furling system

* Control lines lead aft to cockpit via Spinlock jammers

* Two Barlow 23 two speed genoa sheet winches

* Two Barlow 20 halyard winches



Disclaimer

Nicolle Associates offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.



This vessel is UK VAT paid.



As always photographs do not do justice so a viewing is highly recommended.

This boat is ashore near Dartmouth, Devon, England.

© 2025 Nicolle Associates