Melges 15 Breathes New Life Into Inland Lakes

The Melges 15 Inland Championship in Pewaukee, WI, boasts the largest turnout of the 2024 Championship Series, with 60 boats registered for the three-day event, running August 2-4. It is the final class-sanctioned event before the National Championship in Traverse City, MI, at the end of the month.

Pewaukee Yacht Club started its local fleet in 2022 and now has more than 20 Melges 15s that race twice a week—casually on Wednesdays and as part of the Championship Series on Fridays. PYC Fleet Co-Captain Bill Goggins said, “We have additional incoming sailors who will join our club specifically because of the critical mass we’ve built around the Melges 15 Class. We’re all about the culture of PYC – everyone is out to help each other.”

“The Melges 15 creates the perfect landing spot for many of our retiring X Boat sailors that don't feel that they would be a good fit for the C or E boat and don't want to sail alone in an MC,” added Co-Captain Bill Lieber.

In 2022, the Melges 15 became a sanctioned fleet of the Inland Lakes Yachting Association, a testament to the class's strength and early growth. The Melges 15 fits into the ILYA’s current lineup of boats and classes perfectly. For years, sailors would graduate from the X Boat at age 16 and largely stop sailing ILYA events. The Melges 15 keeps them engaged throughout their lifetime.

“Our goal with the Melges 15 is to offer a clear pathway from youth sailing to adult racing. It’s clear that sailing fast, fun boats raises the skill level of youth sailors and keeps them interested in the sport,” said Eddie Cox, Melges. “There are no age limits in the Melges 15!”

“It’s fun and exciting to see how the introduction of a fast dinghy to the ILYA is giving all ages something to sink their teeth into,” remarked Goggins.

Another perk of the Melges 15 for inland sailors is the opportunity to sail the boats year-round. The Winter Series attracts more than 100 teams to Florida annually, providing a respite from the grips of the northern cold. 

“It is no coincidence that Oliver Gray won the X Boat Inland Championship this year, as he has been sailing the Melges 15 Winter Series since 2021,” said Lieber. My son, John, and Oliver placed 1st and 2nd in the Junior division at one of the 2023 Winter Series events. Because of this fleet, they get to compete against some of the best collegiate sailors. It has been wonderful for their sailing.”

While both enjoy watching their children race, Lieber recalled one of his favorite Winter Series memories was competing with Goggins in 2021. “Boy, did we have a great time, sailing a great boat with great people. It's been particularly fun to build this fleet alongside one of my best friends, Bill.” 

The Inland Championship lineup features a large turnout of parent/child, sibling, and youth teams, popular trends in the ILYA that have transferred into the Melges 15 Class internationally.

“From our perspective, we’ve enjoyed the diversity in the class,” said Goggins. “Our Pewaukee fleet has fathers crewing for sons, siblings sailing together, husbands and wives. Skill levels range from new to sailing to collegiate national champions, coaches, and All-Americans.”

“The ability to sail with your child is one of the highlights of the Melges 15. The boat really provides a multi-use platform where the adult can just as easily helm the boat as crew on it,” expressed Lieber. “As a lifelong sailor with four kids, having the opportunity to sail with my children and be competitive while doing it is a wonderful thing.”