random; MERLIN MIRAGE DELUXE

 

austalgia; Merlin Sabre "MERLIN AGAIN"

                                           1966 100c.i Australian champion, Norm Alexander

The RED BARON, LONORA, & DRUM

Another Beautiful pic from Gary & Jenny's album, this time taken at Bunga Arm on the Gippsland Lakes. Two gorgeous red Merlin's along with Frank Oakley's ski boat constructed from steel and named "DRUM" for obvious reasons.

                                                               >>>Gary & Jenny's Album<<<

"NO NAME"

Just thought I would share a photo of the old Merlin I have.
Totally original apart from re-upholstered seating.
My uncle purchased the boat new way back in the day.
After going through a few Holden 202's, he decided to put a Holden 308 in her.
We used to ski behind her every weekend during summer at Major's Creek and Bundalong in Victoria, sometimes camping at the Major's Creek boat ramp for weeks on end. (Not allowed to do that anymore according to the fun police).
I purchased the boat off my uncle around 2 years ago, as all of us kids has grown up (I am now 40), and moved on he asked me if I was interested in buying the old girl.  I jumped at the chance.
I now live in Cairns, so me and a few mates had a road trip picking it up from Wangaratta in Victoria and relocating her back to Cairns.
We take her out as much as we can to Lake Tinaroo, sometimes camping for a whole week to take advantage of the weather up here and give her a good run.
She hasn't missed a beat and my kids are now enjoying her as I did when I was their age.
Cheers,
Brent

spotted; "MUSTANG"

"SUGA PLUM" ...Gaz & Jen's Album

In the running for one of the coolest boat names ever (imo) is "SUGA PLUM", yet another beautiful Mirage built by the Waldron & Oakley Families. This little sweetheart featured a Holden 253 V8 rumble along with that very striking hue ...would love to know how she sits today. These amazing old photographs were kindly shared with us by Gary and Jenny (once again) and we can't thank them and the Waldron family enough for such a detailed look into a piece of our Australian ski boat history. More to come but please click on the link below to see the complete album so far until then (don't forget to click 'older posts' at bottom).

                                                   >>> GARY & JENNY'S ALBUM <<<

"GREENBACK" ...encouragement post

Finally caught Luke paying some attention to "Greenback" on a late night visit recently. With "Woodworx" out for the season the rush is on. Rat boat is the theme but close to original as she's kinda like a bit of local heritage on their stretch of Murray ...get ya wriggle on boy!!!

"SINNA II" ...Gaz & Jen's Album

Gary's classy combo from back in the day takes cool to a whole new level. SINNA II was another beautiful Mirage built by the Waldron's and was powered along by a 253. What a sweet package, though it's not Gary's first boat, we'll take a look at that one shortly ;)
                                                       Thanks for sharing these treasures gang.
                                                                     Gary & Jenny's Album

WAITING PATIENTLY

        A lovely Merlin Mirage seen resting quietly in her natural habitat ...#insert David Attenborough narration.

"SINNA" ...Gary & Jen's Album

This lovely old batch of photos shows the first Mirage to be fitted with a V8 by the Waldron Family, a Holden 308 provided the bark and bite. The family unfortunately missed the opportunity to bring her home when she was last seen advertised a couple of years back (as seen in shots below). If anyone out there knows 'SINNA's whereabouts or comes across her in their travels we would love to hear from you.
Plenty more to come from this wonderful album. Next installment; "SINNA II" ...Ford lovers are in for a major treat :)
                                              aussieskiboats.blogspot.com.au- Gaz & Jen's Album

"The Bloody RED BARON" ...Gaz & Jen's Album

Well here she is complete ...The Bloody RED BARON! This is the first Mirage built by the Waldron Family. Regulars will recall seeing her extracted from the moulds in a recent post (Click "Gaz & Jen's" label below). I'm tipping these magic shots were taken on the lovely Gippsland Lakes where the family frequently holidayed ...What a beautiful machine!

MERLIN MIRAGE'S BY THE WALDRON & OAKLEY FAMILIES ...Gaz & Jen's Album

first attempt at deck wasn't a roaring success ;)

These lovely old photographs from the early 70's show the very first Merlin Mirage built by the Waldron's at their family home in The Patch, Vic. Gary's father, Gordon along with close friend and fellow bridge builder, Frank Oakley, purchased the Mirage moulds from the dying Merlin Fibreglass Co. and went on to produce quite a number of these beautiful boats for family and friends along with others mostly through word of mouth. The boats were all built on weekends as Gordon, Frank, and the boys worked away from home during the week. Mum would polish the moulds and have everything ready for when the fella's returned home, a real all hands on family affair. In fact Mum was possibly the keenest skier and this first boat was built in true Aussie spirit because they could not afford to buy a completed boat outright. "The RED BARON" was fitted with a Holden 186 and was later sold to fund a daughters wedding. A few more 6 cylinder examples were built before they soon realized the Mirage could easily handle a V8. The next family boat, "SINNA", was fitted with a 308, photos of which we'll be posting very soon along with other examples and great memories including a very special one that the family has repurchased and is about to restore. Until then maybe check out Gary and Jen's recently refurbished "IT'S ABOUT TIME", click on the album label below.

                                                 Very, very appreciated gang. Thanks for sharing :)

                                                 Next installment; "The RED BARON" completed

austalgia; "MERLIN AGAIN"

OUT AND ABOUT

MAGIC MERLIN MIRAGE

Bumped into Claire and her lively bunch of mates on a bush track up the river last Christmas and was rapt to see her dusty Merlin Mirage Deluxe in tow ready to tear up the mighty Murray. Greetings were exchanged but I only let them pass on the promise of sending ASB a few pics of this ripper clinker ...took a while but here she is :)

History about the Merlin's time spent with me:

- I brought it in 2005 after seeing it advertised in the Trading Post. 

- My first boat

- It's was tidy but not very pretty to look at. White all over with a brownish/green weather faded stripe down the bow along the sunken section, the big old windshield was bowed & cracked & it had a terrible carpet job. Red 186 motor. Ran well.

- Summer 06/07 first outing for the season, it sheered the end off the crank.

 - Replaced the 186 with a blue 202 but kept the 186 head - it was a Yella Terra & the 350 Holley.

- The 202 turned out to be fairly rough once we had a proper look at it but then coincidentally a friend found someone wanting to sell some race pistons so bugger it, I got them….. then the flood gates opened.

- Stripped the motor back to nothing & put in new everything. Block was bored out to .60thou to fit pistons (ACL race series) & stage 2 cam. Then tidied up all the little things: straight cut gears, brass welsh plugs etc…

- Painted the hull & trailer, new carpet, new gauges etc…

- 2 yrs later it was back on the water!

- Been an amazing boat ever since. 

The Merlin has served Clair & crew well over the years and has been the perfect first boat though thoughts of an upgrade have been niggling at her lately, we'll see what happens. Cheers for sharing her with us mate, bloody love these Mirage Deluxe's and have spent quite a bit of ski time with them in the past ... great boats!