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04/20/2012 08:59PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Last weekend when I was in Duluth, I met a guy with an older Bell Merlin. I thought it was a cool boat! The story behind how he got it was also pretty good.

This owner knew some folks at Granite Gear who said they had this canoe in a storage facility, and they wanted to get rid of it to clear some space. He was looking for a solo for his then new wife, and sent her to see the boat. She called him and said it's an original Merlin, and they wanted $250 for it. Of course, he told her to grab it!







 
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Savage Voyageur
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04/20/2012 10:14PM  
Wow good find on a great canoe.
 
04/20/2012 10:20PM  
wait so did you score that boat off this guy or just meet him and envy the boat? someone definitely scored!
 
04/20/2012 10:25PM  
I was buying a Magic from this guy's buddy, and when I saw the Merlin, I was curious about it as I had only seen Merlin II's. I did inquire if he was willing to sell the boat, but he politely declined on numerous occasions over the 2 days I interacted with the seller of the Magic.

He was literally apologetic about not selling it the last time I saw him, saying that he felt guilty that the boat had not been used in years, but that if he sold it, his wife would never forgive him.

The owner used to work in a shop in Grand Marais where he did the wooden trim work for Bell, and he and the guy I bought the Magic from had some killer stories!

He did say if anyone was interested in the specs of the Merlin he would provide them.
 
CharlieWilson
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04/21/2012 06:53AM  
Merlins:

merlins are compact sized falcon, fast and aggressive, so it's reasonable small fast canoes have been named Merlin for millenia.

That said, Mike Galt designed a Merlin for Hyperform in the early 80; it was to be the centerpiece of a Kestral / Merlin / Peregrine series of solo tripping boats.

The Bell Merlin was a Bruce Koonz design, originally built by Ted through Wabash Valley with his brother. It's important to remember that Bob Demeret, Wabash Valley's founder, was the first to include tumblehome in his solo racers, and that Ted continued the concept when he commissioned Merlin, a recreational boat. Ted brought the mold North to Zimmerman in 1989. The hull was 15'6", w/ 30 max beam, 29" at the 4" waterline and 27,5" molded rail width. She was slightly asymmetrical and had significant tumblehome. Shear was 15.5", 11.5" and 14.5" front to back.

The original design had 1/2" rocker, but the combination of using a split mold, one of two options to get that tumblehome out of the mold, and a vertical riser at the split, caused the mold, and hence subsequent hulls, to hog a little. When the mold cracked at the split, we retired the hull, and commissioned the Merlin II from David Yost in 1997. Bell sold ~190 Merlins over it's eight year run.

Merlin II is more maneuverable and seaworthy but not quite as fast; it's 6" shorter overall, maybe 9" shorter at waterline due to plumb stems, which is the number that counts.

Plans for Merlin and a Koonz designed larger solo are available from NorthWest Canoe in St Paul.

Sat Hi to Steve for me; he made lots of beautiful walnut decks, drops and thwarts for us.
 
04/21/2012 10:31AM  
Thanks for the info, Charlie!
 
mr.barley
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04/21/2012 10:47AM  
I sold one made the same year to Snakecharmer last summer. Nice canoe. I hopehe's paddling it this spring.
 
04/21/2012 11:03AM  
quote mr.barley: "I sold one made the same year to Snakecharmer last summer. Nice canoe. I hopehe's paddling it this spring."


I was wondering what you decided on that. I always figured you'd stick with your advantage.
 
RaisedByBears99
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04/21/2012 02:46PM  
quote Frenchy19: "Last weekend when I was in Duluth, I met a guy with an older Bell Merlin. I thought it was a cool boat! The story behind how he got it was also pretty good.

This owner knew some folks at Granite Gear who said they had this canoe in a storage facility, and they wanted to get rid of it to clear some space. He was looking for a solo for his then new wife, and sent her to see the boat. She called him and said it's an original Merlin, and they wanted $250 for it. Of course, he told her to grab it!









"


How strange! Thought you were talking about me for a minute. Saw a solo canoe on the porch at Granite gear. Asked the owner what he wanted for it and ended up purchasing it for $250. It is a Bell CJ though, not a Merlin.
 
mr.barley
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04/21/2012 02:52PM  
quote Merganser: "
quote mr.barley: "I sold one made the same year to Snakecharmer last summer. Nice canoe. I hopehe's paddling it this spring."



I was wondering what you decided on that. I always figured you'd stick with your advantage. "
Hah! I have since bought a Bell Magic and have sold (not picked up yet)my Advantage. I hate to see the Advantage go though.
 
kona
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04/13/2016 09:02PM  
Here is a great condition 1988 Wabash Valley Merlin I picked up last summer here in the Twin Cities. Its been fun to paddle, I had it out tonight for a spin. Thought some folks might be interested to see photos.









 
bcelect
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04/13/2016 11:22PM  
quote kona: "Here is a great condition 1988 Wabash Valley Merlin I picked it up last summer here in the Twin Cities. Its been fun to paddle, I had it out tonight for a spin. Thought some folks might be interested to see photos.
align="left" >


"

Please do tell us. Did you pay $250 for that beautiful boat also?
 
wingnut
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04/14/2016 07:38AM  
That is a beautiful boat, It looks fast. Thanks for sharing the pics and also the stories of it's origin. Great stuff.
 
04/14/2016 09:53AM  
Nice!
 
1JimD
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04/29/2017 08:03PM  
The only correction, I'd like to add, is I don't believe Northwest Canoe's Merlin plans are the exact same as Bruce Kunz.

By the way, one of Ted's early Merlins, in Great shape sold at Mid West's auction today . I can't quote the exact price, but it went Cheap in my book. I just don't have room for anymore more canoes, or I would have bought it !

Jim

 
1JimD
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04/29/2017 08:13PM  
quote CharlieWilson: "Merlins:





"



I believe that pic was taken in mid Winter, at a canoe show I attended in Minnesota, early 90s.
Just how I remember Bruce !
Bruce sold me polyester resin for my first canoe.
Thanks for the post Charlie !

Jim
 
Capsize
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04/29/2017 10:46PM  
"By the way, one of Ted's early Merlins, in Great shape sold at Mid West's auction today. I can't quote the exact price, but it went Cheap in my book. I just don't have room for anymore more canoes, or I would have bought it !"

The Merlin at Midwest went for $800 or $850 this afternoon, plus a 10% buyer's premium. It was a nice looking boat in good condition.
 
1JimD
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04/30/2017 07:52AM  
quote Capsize: ""By the way, one of Ted's early Merlins, in Great shape sold at Mid West's auction today. I can't quote the exact price, but it went Cheap in my book. I just don't have room for anymore more canoes, or I would have bought it !"


The Merlin at Midwest went for $800 or $850 this afternoon, plus a 10% buyer's premium. It was a nice looking boat in good condition."

Just wanted to add, It was Kevlar. Materials alone would cost that .

Jim
 
B2B2012DW
  
04/30/2017 07:56AM  
I am the Lucky guy that bought the Merlin at Midwest yesterday. It is in very good condition. I doubt it has ever been in the BWCA as there are virtually no scratches on her hull. Our first outing will be later this week.
 
B2B2012DW
  
04/30/2017 07:56AM  
I am the Lucky guy that bought the Merlin at Midwest yesterday. It is in very good condition. I doubt it has ever been in the BWCA as there are virtually no scratches on her hull. Our first outing will be later this week.
 
1JimD
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04/30/2017 08:15AM  
Congratulations !!!

Enjoy ! I'm sure you will like it !

Jim
 
04/30/2017 09:07AM  
Post some pics when you get a chance, and congrats!
 
05/01/2017 05:34PM  
I know KT on here had a nice older Merlin, I think he bought it right from Ted Bell around 5 years back, was Almond in color.
 
kona
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05/01/2017 07:18PM  
Congrats on your new boat. That one is a beauty and it was drawing a lot of comments from folks ahead of the auction. A few weeks ago I sold the 1988 Wabash Valley Merlin pictured above and below. The buyer was a friendly young guy from the Rochester MN area who plans to do some BWCA tripping with it. It was also in excellent condition, similar to the one you bought. That is a great boat, would love to see some pictures of yours.

 
1JimD
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05/01/2017 09:35PM  
Kona
It looks like Dan Cooke spent a little time with it !

Jim
 
campnfish
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05/01/2018 12:42PM  
Kona, it looks like your canoe might be back for sale, looks like your old canoe on CL today.
 
1JimD
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05/01/2018 01:04PM  
1JimD: "
quote CharlieWilson: "Merlins:





"




I believe that pic was taken in mid Winter, at a canoe show I attended in Minnesota, early 90s.
Just how I remember Bruce !
Bruce sold me polyester resin for my first canoe.
Thanks for the post Charlie !

Took me long enough, but that's my 38 spl. that Bruce is leaning on ! Sorry for digging into this old thread, but I remember Bruce, and the interesting guy he was !

Jim



"
 
Othello
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05/01/2018 01:31PM  
campnfish: "Kona, it looks like your canoe might be back for sale, looks like your old canoe on CL today."

Same photos and everything
 
Cedarboy
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05/01/2018 01:43PM  
Othello: "
campnfish: "Kona, it looks like your canoe might be back for sale, looks like your old canoe on CL today."

Same photos and everything"



I saw it also
CB
 
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