Mermaid Replacement Project: Next Member Q&A
Published 13:51 on 4 Sep 2026
The Club will hold its next member Q&A on the Mermaid Replacement Project on Saturday 3 October 2026, provisionally from 3.00-5.00pm, in the Mermaid Room and online via Microsoft Teams.
The session follows our initial Q&A in August and further conversations with members over the summer. It will provide another opportunity to hear about the projects progress, consider the developing test-boat specification and raise questions directly with the project team.
The project so far
The Club has committed to building one new Mermaid as a test boat, using the original mould owned by the Club. This is not a commitment to replace the whole fleet.
The test boat will allow the Club to establish whether a modernised build can:
- Preserve the Mermaids character and one-design sailing performance
- Improve comfort and ease of handling for crews and helms
- Reduce ongoing maintenance and repair requirements
- Improve durability and extend the working life of future boats
- Provide greater certainty over future build and ownership costs
The proposed construction will replace much of the existing timber with GRP and synthetic teak where appropriate. A number of internal changes and practical enhancements are also being considered, but the boat will remain part of the established one-design fleet.
Building a single test boat enables the Club to validate the specification, cost, maintenance assumptions and sailing performance before considering any wider programme and the preferred builder. There is currently no agreed timetable or build rate beyond this first boat.
Any future boats would be considered individually and commissioned only where the test results support the case and specific project funds are available. Funding would come from the ring-fenced Mermaid Replacement Fund, maintenance savings and dedicated fundraising, without placing undue pressure on the Clubs general operating finances.
The Club's Trustees will provide continuity and oversight, supported by a separate quality-assurance process.
Member feedback
Members have already raised useful questions and suggestions about:
- Extending the life of the existing fleet
- Validating the anticipated maintenance savings
- Improving on the 'Mimosa' build specification
- Protecting one-design performance
- Crew seating, footrests and cockpit layout
- Sail controls, rigging and ease of handling
- Collision protection and repairability
All submissions will be recorded and assessed against safety, one-design integrity, usability, durability, whole-life cost and practical delivery.
Not every suggestion will necessarily be adopted, but where an idea has merit it will either be incorporated into the developing specification or tested before a final decision is made. This is precisely why the Club is proceeding with one test boat rather than committing prematurely to a wider replacement programme.
Have your say
Members can submit practical suggestions arising from their experience of sailing, maintaining or supporting the Mermaid fleet through our short online form:
Further information covering the projects governance, funding, cost assumptions, anticipated maintenance savings and developing specification will be published ahead of the meeting.
Microsoft Teams joining details will follow. We hope members will join us on 3 October and continue to contribute constructively to this important project.