One of the last Merlin 28's (Sail No. MN150, Yard No. GT1 16) built, prior to the 29' version being developed from the same hull. Being a late Merlin, the internal woodwork is of teak veneers, with the 'warmer' looking headboards finished with vinyl. The galley is less dated too, with a neutral-coloured laminate - rather than the red and white check(!) of the earlier boats. This example has been re-lined through-out too! 

Dry and clean, 'Harvey Moon' benefits from many upgrades and attentive maintenance carried out in recent years, with replacement standing rigging including a Harken roller reefing system for the headsail. Replacement LED lamps to masthead units and steaming/deck combination light; the mainsail only dates from 2017, together with the Stackpack-style mainsail cover. Instrumentation has been modernised, with Tack Tick wirelessly connected instruments fitted in a dedicated instrument pod above the companionway, supplementing the earlier sailing instrumentation and a modern VHF with AIS receive capability fitted. The gas supply pipe has been replaced in addition to the flexible tails at either end. 

 

With her fractional rig and narrow keel root about the centreline, and relatively fine lines forward, the twin keeled Merlin is well respected as a twin keeled Westerly that can perform surprisingly well. Not as voluminous forward as the shorter 26' Griffon, but with her generous double cabin aft instead and featuring a heads compartment that is the same as that on a 33' Storm, the Merlin stands up well against the likes of a Hunter Horizon 26/27, Moody 27 or Jeanneau Fantasia and the reassuring build quality is self-evident. 

 

Many more photos are available in our ‘cloud’- based archive for this yacht. 

Contact us for access. 

 

Please contact on 01752 228855 or email us for further details or to arrange a viewing 

Forward Cabin: A straightforward 'V'-shaped berth may be converted to a double with an in- filling cushion covering the space immediately ahead of the doorway, above the sole. A deep-fiddled stowage shelf is fitted to the hull either side, with deep, flow-coated stowage also found under the berths. Light and through ventilation is ensured by an aft-opening deck hatch over the berth with a ventilator fitted. 

 

Main Saloon: U-shaped seating to port (with an in-filling panel and cushions to provide an occasional double berth) and single, tapering berth to starboard. Two deep fiddled shelves for convenient stowage to either side in this cabin, with all the under berth/seat space dedicated to stowage too (the tanks are beneath the aft cabin's berth and in the cockpit locker). A substantially built and securely fitted table is provided with two leaves and offers comfortable dining for four people as well as plenty of security when moving about the accommodation at sea. 

 

Chart working area: A fixed chart table - with provision for chart stowage within, faces aft to the starboard side of the main saloon. The navigator sits on the head-end of the starboard settee/berth, with their left shoulder alongside the 12V DC distribution panels, VHF radio and radar display. Immediately abaft the chart table is a hanging locker, which, in this case has a removable canvas stowage providing cubby-hole stowage for items of small clothing such as hats and gloves. 

 

Galley: Located to port (to be on the 'downhill' side when hove-to on starboard tack), immediately at the foot of the companionway, the galley is of 'L'-shape, with a stainless steel sink facing forward on a peninsular that accommodates a refrigerated, top-opening cool box. A useful stowage locker is provided within the end of this work peninsula to supplement an under-sink shelved locker, while a narrow-shelved locker immediately to the aft side of the cooker was provided too. Primary crockery or large food staples are catered for in the under- side deck locker, with sliding acrylic doors. Freshwater is foot pumped to the sink, leaving the operator's hands free for holding the dishes and is filtered through a cartridge filter unit. 

 

Aft Cabin: The aft cabin is notably generous for a boat of the size, with the berth's area being comparable with other designs of 31' & 33' overall length. A half-height hanging locker is fitted immediately inside the cabin to port of the doorway. Battery containments 

and the freshwater tank is fitted beneath this berth. Light and ventilation are provided by the standard portlight to the companionway area, supplemented by another opening portlight to the cockpit's footwell. 

 

Heads Compartment: Located to starboard of the companionway steps, this compartment is primarily formed using the same sub-moulding as was used by Westerly in the later Storm 33 - it may genuinely be considered as generous for a 28-footer! A moulded hand basin, with electrically pumped cold water only is provided inboard of a large, under-deck locker. 

Light and ventilation is by means of a portlight that opens to the companionway bridge deck.