MERLIN YACHT RACING, LLC
TAMPA, FLORIDA

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?” “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 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. Merlin Yacht Racing The Merlin Mission Merlin Yacht Racing brings innovation and nostalgia to the sport of sailboat racing. With the boat weighing 24,000 pounds, a beam of 12 feet, and a sail area of 1,800 square feet, the hours of engineering that were spent to create the Merlin in 1977 made sailing a large ultralight-displacement boat something special – the motto “Fast is Fun” lives on. Merlin Yacht Racing is actively seeking sponsorships to take sail with the iconic Merlin sailboat. If you’re interested, please call Brian Malone at