Seafly 477 – Merlin

Seafly 477 “Merlin” has a wooden hull and was built by Dick Flower, who sailed her under her original name “Graded Grains”. Dick Flower went on to build Seaflys as “Dorset Boats”. The photos show “Graded Grains” in 1975/1976. The name derived from a TV advert which claimed that “Graded Grains make Lighter Flour”.

In 1991 Seafly 477 was known as “Earl Grey” and owned by Rob York at Highcliffe Sailing Club; by 1996 she had been renamed “Racing Snake”. “Merlin” is a very light boat which has been successful in National competition; she is now owned and successfully raced at Blakeney Sailing Club by Alan Robinson.