Dazcat's structurally complete hulls?

What do we mean by that?

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Dazcat's structurally complete hulls

We provide the superstructure and you fit it out exactly as you like.

It’s not a ‘Kit Boat’ because there’s no kit included.

It’s 100% self-build fit out and one route to getting the Dazcat of your dreams…

Dazcat 1195 Merlin’s French Launch 2020

Merlin, sold in 2016 as ‘structurally complete’, is now ‘fully complete’ and looking every bit the beautiful Dazcat.

structurally complete dazcat hull 1195 launch

Images with thanks to Graham Shaw – Multihulls World Magazine

Meet Merlin: the just-launched, dual nationality, ‘structurally complete’ Dazcat 1195…

Merlin is the latest of a few Dazcats that have been sold as structurally complete – that is we build the superstructure and as much or little else as the owner wants, who then finishes to their own specifications.

There are many reasons why people choose to finish the boat themselves. For some it’s the love of a good project or an opportunity to try out some ideas of your own. For others maybe a more cost-effective way of getting the boat of your dreams. The task could be a daunting one for some, but Merlin’s owner Michel has shown us how to do it – with vision and perseverance he’s built himself a beautiful Dazcat in just four years.

dazcat's structurally complete 1195 pre launch

Preparing for launch

When Merlin first left home…

Because Merlin was due to cross the channel when she left the Multihull Centre yard, we had to ensure that she was seaworthy and fit to cross. Engines, rudders and dagger boards, windows in, safety equipment on board, and so on.

Interior mouldings come as part of the bridge deck lay up so the basics were there, though in unfinished format. Michel and his team on the River Rance would do all the fit out and rigging.

We're proud of merlin

and the work owner Michel and his team at the yard across the channel have achieved

…And that’s not least because she’s half French. Michel is also proud of Merlin’s dual nationality, and to prove it she had two bottles of Champagne at her launch – one delivered by her ‘English Godmother’ as he termed it, and the other by her ‘French Godfather’, Michel’s son Benjamin.

dazcat's structurally complete hull 1195 launch

We had been looking forward to the launch…

Simon visited last year. We’ve kept in touch and had very much been looking forward to attending the launch this year. Obviously we weren’t able to attend. The first ever Dazcat launch without our presence! but the smiles on the faces in the photos say it all.

dazcat's structurally complete hull 1195 namingh

dazcat's structurally complet hulls 1195 merlin

Michel is also keen to point out that Merlin is not only our first dual nationality, French launched Dazcat, but is also the first bright yellow Dazcat. It certainly is a beautifully striking colour which in certain lights turns silver!

dazcat's structurally complete hull d1195 merlin

Merlin has a cruising rig, and although she was launched late in the season and sailing has been limited, Michel reports that he’s very happy with her performance so far. They’re all looking forward to some racing next year so she’s a true Dazcat cruiser-racer.

Merlin has now returned to her French yard for the winter and fitting of solar panels. Pictured here in the autumn sunlight as she travels up a remarkably Cornish looking lane, in Michel’s words: “She put on her silver coat for the return to the yard”.

dazcat's structurally complete hull merlin 1195

Some of Merlin's fit-out story can be seen in the gallery below

Like any build, taking a structurally complete hull and turning it into a beautiful boat looks messy while in progress…It also has its up-and-downs, including interruptions due to pandemics!