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.