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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
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04/30/2017 07:56AM |
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04/20/2012 10:14PM |
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04/20/2012 10:20PM |
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04/20/2012 10:25PM |
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.
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05/01/2018 12:42PM |
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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
"
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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
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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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04/21/2012 06:53AM |
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.
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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.
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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.
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04/21/2012 02:52PM |
quote Merganser: "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.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. "
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04/21/2012 10:47AM |
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04/20/2012 08:59PM |
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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04/13/2016 09:02PM |
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04/14/2016 07:38AM |
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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?
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04/14/2016 09:53AM |
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04/21/2012 10:31AM |
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05/01/2017 05:34PM |
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05/01/2017 09:35PM |
It looks like Dan Cooke spent a little time with it !
Jim
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05/01/2017 07:18PM |
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04/30/2017 09:07AM |
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04/29/2017 10:46PM |
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.
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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
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04/30/2017 07:56AM |
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04/30/2017 08:15AM |
Enjoy ! I'm sure you will like it !
Jim
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04/29/2017 08:03PM |
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