HYSTERIA (1974)

The Hysteria was a development of the Hexagon, with less rocker in the aft run, and flatter garboards forward. I realised that this might mean a loss of weight carrying ability, but not all crews were as heavy as Spud and Jon (and they tended to sail Morrison designs, anyway).
Once again, there was no shortage of takers for the new design, and its success can be measured by the appearance of new names in the Championship lists. Vernon Ralston and Peter Siddall, sailing 'End Up First' (MR 2918), came 6th in 1975 and 1976, while Colin Humphrey and Andy Gray in 'Mass Hysteria' (MR2899) came 4th in 1976. Both boats were beautifully built by the Aln Boatyard.
Patrick Blake and I stopped campaigning Merlins at the end of 1975, as Patrick got involved in the Olympic Trials for the Flying Dutchman class. I took my eye off the action for a while - until Colin Humphrey asked me to design a new Merlin - the Hazard.

A total of 14 Hysterias were built

Click on this image to play a movie of MR 2988 "End Up First"

Last updated 28 November 2007