New Fleet Alert! Rochester Yacht Club

Welcome to the Melges 15 Class, Rochester Yacht Club! Sitting on the Genesee River by Lake Ontario, Rochester Yacht Club is home to six new Melges 15s.

With an average age of 35, most of the owners are experienced sailors with various racing backgrounds. However, they encourage newer sailors to check the boat out.

“The best part of our fleet is that we are all learning together,” said new owner, Travis Odenbach. “So far the M15 has been minimal work and we are able to take our wives or friends out when sailing, which is key.”

While many owners were immediately drawn to the downwind performance and stability, Odenbach looked at the boat through a slightly different lens. “I have sailed fast boats in the past, so I was not too worried about the performance in the breeze, but here in Rochester, NY, it is light in the summer,” he explained. “I sailed the boat in very light winds, but I could not believe how well the boat was moving and the feel it still had in 4-6 knots.”

With an updated, user-friendly design, the Melges 15 was an attractive upgrade for the RYC Fleet. “You only needed one other person to sail, the price point was perfect for a lot of people in our area. It was time that our yacht club had a more modern boat,” said Odenbach.

The Rochester group has big plans for their new fleet including participation at the National Championship this September and a large presence at the 2022 Winter Series in Sarasota, FL.

For more information on how to get a fleet started at your club, email sales@melges.com.