Chip Merlin, Owner/Skipper
Merlin Yacht Racing celebrates and continues Bill Lee’s “Fast is Fun” sailing philosophy by racing Lee’s iconic Merlin. Chip Merlin explained how this came about, “I was looking for a charter to take my father on for the 2018 Newport to Bermuda Race, and I saw that Bill Lee placed Merlin for sale after retrofitting her and sailing in the 2017 Transpac. To me, the stars came into alignment because how often do you get a chance to purchase such a classic racing sailboat with your same name?”
Chip Merlin’s father is a retired Unites States Coast Guard Rear Admiral. Their family sailed Flying Scots and other one design boats throughout the Gulf Coast and Chesapeake Bay. Before purchasing Merlin, Chip Merlin’s most recent sailing campaign has been racing a Leif Bailey design B-32 “Chip’s All In” out of the Davis Island Yacht Club in Tampa Bay.
“My immediate goal for Merlin is to keep the boat racing in offshore events and at a level which would make Bill and Lu Lee proud. So, we are updating the rigging, sails, electronics and paint and trying to recruit crew dedicated to helping the 41-year-old Merlin sail as fast as possible. We are selecting iconic races and will try our best to win. But, keeping in the spirit of Bill Lee’s fun philosophy, there will be evening cruises and fun races so others can enjoy this remarkable vessel.”
Merlin has already raced to line and class honors in the 2018 St. Petersburg to Habana Race. Merlin plans to race in the Regatta del Sol from St. Petersburg to Islamerhara Mexico in late April. It will then leave its berth at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club and travel to the New England Boatworks to prepare for the 2018 Newport to Bermuda Race. Then, Merlin will be trailered to Chicago for the Chicago to Mackinac Race in July 2018.
Merlin Yacht Racing is devoted to promoting sailing and yacht racing. Chip Merlin explains this philosophy, “there was nothing I enjoyed more as a kid growing up than sailing and racing boats with my friends and family. Humans came from the sea, and it is natural to enjoy hearing the wind in your ears, feeling the sun on your cheeks, looking at the glistening light dancing on the waves and feeling the power of sails and your boat in your hands and fingers. Sailing a special boat like Merlin makes it even more so, and we want to share that experience with others. Once people experience sailing and being on the seas, we know they will always look forward to the next adventure.
Insurance We Accept
When you need your company to have a new website or if you venture on updating your old webpage with a new look and functionality, the choices are versatile. Assuming that you will go the easy way and choose a theme for your WordPress website.
- Aetna
- Beech Street
- Anthem Blue Cross
- Blue Shield
Assuming that you will go the easy way and choose a theme for your WordPress website. When you need your company to have a new website or if you venture on updating your old webpage with a new look and functionality, the choices are versatile.
- Cigna
- First Health
- Great West Healthcare
- Health Net Elect