Melges 15 facts for kids
 |
|
 |
|
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Reichel/Pugh |
| Location | United States |
| Year | 2020 |
| No. built | 150 (October 2021) |
| Builder(s) | Melges Performance Sailboats Nelo |
| Name | Melges 15 |
| Boat | |
| Crew | Two |
| Displacement | Script error: The function "getValueByQual" does not exist. |
| Draft | Script error: The function "getValueByQual" does not exist. |
| Air draft | Script error: The function "getValueByQual" does not exist. |
| Hull | |
| Type | monohull |
| Construction | fiberglass |
| LOA | Script error: The function "getValueByQual" does not exist. |
| LWL | Script error: The function "getValueByQual" does not exist. |
| Beam | Script error: The function "getValueByQual" does not exist. |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | daggerboard |
| Ballast | Script error: The function "getValueByQual" does not exist. |
| Rudder(s) | transom-mounted rudder |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | Bermuda rig |
| Mast length | Script error: The function "getValueByQual" does not exist. |
| Sails | |
| Sailplan | fractional rigged sloop masthead sloop |
| Upwind sail area | 133.4 sq ft (12.39 m2) |
| Downwind sail area | 289.4 sq ft (26.89 m2) |
| PHRF | Script error: The function "getValueByQual" does not exist. |
The Melges 15 is a cool American sailboat. It was designed by a company called Reichel/Pugh. This boat is made for two people to sail. It's great for both racing and learning how to sail. The first Melges 15 was built in 2020.
In December 2021, a magazine called Sailing World named the Melges 15 their 2022 Boat of the Year. This means it was chosen as the best new boat for that year!
Contents
Building the Melges 15
The Melges 15 is built by Melges Performance Sailboats in the United States. They started making them in 2020 and are still building them today.
Since March 2022, another company called Nelo also builds the Melges 15. They make them for people in Europe, from their factory in Vila do Conde, Portugal. By October 2021, over 150 of these boats had already been made and sent out to sailors.
What Makes the Melges 15 Special?
The main goals when designing the Melges 15 were to make it stable and perform well in different wind and water conditions.
Hull Design
The boat's body, called the hull, is narrow. It also has a flat bottom shape. This helps the boat stay steady and makes it easier to glide fast on the water, which is called planing. The hull is also shaped to handle bigger waves easily.
The Melges 15 is a sailing dinghy built mostly from fiberglass. It has a straight front (called a plumb stem) and a flat back (called a transom).
Sailing Gear
The boat uses a fractional sloop rig. This means it has one main sail and a smaller front sail. It also has a special pole called a retractable bowsprit that can be pulled in or pushed out.
The mast and other poles (spars) are made of aluminum. The boat has a rudder at the back, which is used for steering. It's controlled by a handle called a tiller with an extension.
Daggerboard and Depth
The Melges 15 has a removable daggerboard made of aluminum. When the daggerboard is down, the boat goes about 2.58 ft (0.79 m) deep into the water. You can pull the daggerboard up to sail in shallow water, or to pull the boat onto a beach. This also makes it easier to move the boat on a trailer.
Spinnaker for Speed
For sailing with the wind, the boat can use a large, colorful sail called an asymmetrical spinnaker. This sail is about 156 sq ft (14.5 m2) big. It has a simple system to launch and pull it back in.
Comfort for Sailors
The boat has a deep area for the crew to sit, called a cockpit. The main boom (the pole at the bottom of the main sail) is also set high. These features make it more comfortable for the sailors.
Why Sailors Love It
The judges from Sailing World magazine who picked the Melges 15 as Boat of the Year really liked it. They said it was a boat they didn't want to stop sailing! They were impressed with how well it was built and how great it performed.
They noted that everything on the boat is well-designed and neat. They felt it started with a good designer and then had excellent development and craftsmanship. They said there's nothing on the boat that isn't needed. The judges also praised how the boat works well for many different types of sailors, whether they are racing or just having fun.
