A New Boat in Town

By Mark Werder

In a haze of infinite working from home boredom and a deep longing to be back on a racecourse, many hours were wasted pouring over the internet watching videos, searching for tips and techniques, dreaming of what might be the next boat. It was in this mode that the next addition to our home fleet would be added.

I, like many of you reading this, already have a great little fleet of boats at home. Our fleet may even be excessive, but you really need to cover all the bases when you live in the middle of California. All our boats are meticulously maintained in excellent working order, yet every week I find myself cruising Craigslist for the next chunk of fiberglass. Something faster, some new element of sailing not previously explored, some great bargain. Craigslist because the thought of buying something brand new always seems out of reach. Sure, you see the announcements – some new, shiny boat will save sailing in the USA and, by the way, it only costs $25,000. Nope… Back to craigslist.

So, there I sat back in May, working from home, clicking away for work and to get some taste of sailing with limited access to water and no racing to be seen. Then I see a Facebook post from Melges, “Big announcement. Coming soon.” And, to my surprise, instead of a new 37-foot sled or a hot new version of the 24, there on the webpage was a concept for a two-person, 15-foot dinghy. A dinghy big enough to race with my wife, Stacy. It was all there – fiberglass hull with a dreadnought bow, hard chines leading to a flat planing bottom, fractional rig flying an asymmetrical spinnaker, single line for launching and retrieving the kite, gnav for more space in the cockpit, high boom, deep cockpit for those burning knees, aluminum boards and a springy tapered mast. It was love at first sight.

As thoughts of buying one in ten years after someone with more money used it and tossed it to Craigslist at a bargain rate, I clicked on. I watched the videos, read the material, and finally clicked request a quote. Wait. That price can’t be right. And it comes ready to sail? Sails, lines, boards, throw in a trailer, and this can be ours. I must know more!

I ended up on a call with the very same sailor in all the Melges 15 videos, Eddie Cox. He told me about the prototyping process, the decisions made along the way, the capacities, the materials, and most importantly how they sail. Just keep checking those boxes. Armed now with my own set of marketing materials, it was time for the most important conversation – the one with Stacy.

The conversation was short and right to the point. This is the right boat for us, at the right time, for the right price. Stacy is an excellent keelboat racer, teaches new foredecks on the Santana 20, and has grown in her confidence on the helm and as a skipper. She’s dipped her toes in dinghies, but most were overpowered, difficult to right, and too intimidating. The desire was there, but not the right boat until the Melges 15 came along. A dinghy we could sail together, learn in, and grow a new fleet from the ground up. Something lightweight we can take on the road to all the wonderful lake series races from Fresno to Eugene. This is a boat we can race, a boat to teach others in, a boat for our daughter to grow into. The answer was a confident, “Yes, let’s make this happen.”

So, in the midst of a pandemic with so much uncertainty swirling around, a brand-new boat was ordered. Ordering was simple, pick a spinnaker color, give a credit card number for the deposit and congratulations, you are #17 on our build schedule with possible delivery in late July. Now, we wait.

In the time that passed, I felt like I was becoming a Melges stalker, craving any word on the build process, watching every video… By the way, where is Zenda? After driving by the Melges plant a dozen times on Google street view, the message came: “On track for delivery July 29.” We watched the updates as our boat was loaded on the top of a trailer with 3 other M15s, all heading West. Text messages along the way, updates on timing, introductions to the other M15 buyers. We would all meet Eddie and take delivery in Tahoe Keys Marina.

As the boats were unpacked, it was all a bit surreal. Taking shrink wrap off all brand-new sailboat parts. Building the mast sections, finishing the trailer, sorting out which boat gets which sails. We carefully packed our new gear and worked our way down the hill from Tahoe avoiding every pothole, going the speed limit, even stopping to check the straps.

Safely back in Folsom, our neighbors watched the show as we rigged for the first time. Everything was familiar but different, sail controls like the Vareo, rigging and stepping the mast like the Santana 20. The years of experience paid dividends as we figured out all the little details. Rigging the boat took 4 hours the first time and less than 30 minutes by the third attempt.

Video: How to Rig the Melges 15

Then came the first sail. In fine Folsom drifter fashion, our first race saw a max of 8 knots. The buzz at the ramp was exciting. Who doesn’t want to check out the shiny new toy?

On the water in light conditions, the M15 did exactly what we expected – sailed beautifully upwind and downwind but struggled to run deep angles and was far more fun to reach with. The tradeoff of an asymmetrical on a flat bottom boat is no planing means no apparent wind to shift the angle forward. Later that night, we got just a taste of what was to come as a small gust sent us planing on the sail back to the marina. Like a drug, you get hooked.

Our second sail was on a Beer Can Wednesday with a solid delta breeze forecasted. The forecast and the M15 did not disappoint. Short, steep chop and 13 knots of breeze sent the M15 into FUN mode. Upwind punching thru waves, water shooting up, over and everywhere, crew testing the hiking straps and our out of shape abs. While physical, it never felt like it needed to be. Had we not been racing, we could have simply sat on the rail, depowered the sails, and cruised comfortably. Then we turned downwind, and it was like falling in love all over again.

Stacy executed the spinnaker launch flawlessly, I eased the main, and we shifted our weight back. Our reward for good sail trim was a boat now skipping over waves with double-digit speed and the grace of a dolphin. As we looked back while rounding the leeward pin, the large gap between us and the rest of the fleet was something to see. Nothing but smiles as we punched our way back to the finish line.

The Melges 15 has created a true bright spot amongst all the bad news and challenges we are all facing this year. In my opinion, the builder has truly hit a sweet spot with a fun, planing, approachable, comfortable, and fast two-person boat that people can afford. Stacy and I can’t wait to see what adventures await us. We look forward to growing the fleet, meeting new people, and seeing just how fast this little 15-footer can go.

First Impressions with Bob Mosby

Bob and Krista Mosby of Asheville, NC were searching for a boat they could sail together and with their son before he left for college. After looking at everything from outdated, one-design dinghies to the larger sportboats, they found a sweet spot with the modern Melges 15.

Melges: What is your sailing background? How long have you been sailing?
Bob Mosby: I am 58-years old and have been sailing since I was six. I was raised on the Chesapeake Bay and sailed or raced everything from Sunfish to NACRA catamarans for many years. I was a sailmaker in Hampton, VA for eight years and raced primarily keelboats for a living. I have been fortunate enough to race sailboats from Annapolis, MD to Key West, FL, and cruise from the Chesapeake to the BVI.

Melges: What attracted you to the Melges 15 in the first place?
BM: I was looking to get back into sailing after being away for too many years and was very aware of Melges’s great reputation for modern designs and quality craftsmanship. I wanted something livelier and more modern than some old 1950’s one-design class. But there is a big void in the market for new, performance two-person hiking dinghies in the 15-17-foot range. I looked at used 20-foot sport keelboats, but, between the price and need for three-person crews, it was not the right choice for me. Along came notice of your new Reichel-Pugh designed Melges 15, with an introductory price offering, to boot, and I was sold. You built exactly the boat I was looking for.

Melges: How did you decide that the Melges 15 was the right for you?
Well, beyond the design and reputation mentioned above, my new boat had to be a two-man hiking dinghy with a bowsprit launched, asymmetrical spinnaker. This had to be a boat that I could campaign at the club level with my wife, or 17-year-old, without this old guy having to get out on the trapeze!  I was really looking for something stable, lively, responsive, and fast. If that doesn’t sound like the very definition of the Melges 15, I am not sure what does.

Melges: What were your impressions after sailing the boat?
BM: I am absolutely loving this boat. It has some great features and gear, is easy to set up, and is a great boat in all conditions. The M15 does not seem to like a tight, pinching mode, and really makes good progress to windward a little bit eased and letting her foot a bit. Off the wind, it’s a dream to sail. The boat is SO responsive to puffs and stays stable and manageable even in the bigger gusts. It is almost effortless to get up on a plane and GO! An all-around excellent sailing platform.

Melges: What features do you like most about the Melges 15 (Stability, Systems, ease of use)?
BM: The hull design provides a modern level of performance with increased stability and was the first draw for me to the Melges 15. I do really like the asymmetrical spinnaker and bowsprit “single-line set up” for ease of use and de-mystifying handling the chute for less experienced crew. This is also my first boat with a gnav, and it has really increased my use of the vang as a more active sail control. The boat responds beautifully to tweaks on the sail controls, whether it be the gnav, outhaul, cunningham, or lead positions.

Melges: What are your plans with your new boat?
BM: I will be sailing local club events and races near where I live in the Asheville, NC area. But I will be taking it on the road to future class events as they are established, and am actively looking to help build the fleet in the mid-Atlantic region. The boat will be going with me next month for a weeklong trip back to the Chesapeake Bay area, and I am really looking forward to getting the boat on some bigger water and stretching our legs.

Melges has delivered a top-notch boat to this segment of the dinghy market. I look forward to the active support and growth of fleets around the country. As mentioned, the 15-17 foot segment of newer designed dinghies is underserved at the moment, and this boat is a home run. Additionally, as a customer, I cannot say enough about the unconditional support and near-instantaneous response to communication that Melges is providing. You guys have really got this figured out, both from a product and customer service standpoint. Thank you, so much, for bringing a great little boat to the market that hit on every one of our needs and wants. You have won over a lifelong customer.

First Impressions with Chris Fretz

Chris Fretz was among the first to sail their new Melges 15 in July. He and a few friends at Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club (Beach Haven, NJ) had been searching for a double-handed boat that could handle their home water’s chop and sand bars. After the teaser was released in early May, they quickly decided that the M15 was the boat they had been waiting for.

Melges: What is your sailing background?Chris Fretz: I learned to sail as a kid in Sunfish and Hobie cats, but didn’t get into racing till my late 20s. I’ve owned Melges M-Scows and E Scows among other boats over the years, and crewed extensively on E Scows and Melges 24s.

Melges: What attracted you to the Melges 15 in the first place?
CF: We needed a double-handed boat that could handle the chop at Little Egg Harbor Yacht Club. I had been looking for something with a jib so that the crew had work to do and an asymmetric spinnaker would be nice, but it wasn’t a deal-breaker. Little Egg Harbor is a beautiful place to sail but there are sand bars that prevent us from sailing true keelboats. The scows are ideal but bending an 18″ rudder isn’t unusual over the course of a season. When I saw that early May Melges 15 teaser with the bow shot, I knew Melges built something special. Harry confirmed it had a daggerboard and shallow draft, so I had to buy it.

Melges: How did you decide that the Melges 15 was the right for you?
CF: COVID. In April and May, we were unsure whether or not we could actually sail the E Scows with social distancing and proper precautions. We knew we could sail with “household” members or on single-handed boats, which wasn’t appealing for those of us who were not in peak physical condition. We were looking at various two-person options, but most were dated designs that lacked excitement and were not even available new. All of the initial owners have owned or crewed in the E Scow fleet, so they were familiar with the Melges brand and performance. The early videos from Melges looked great and we knew Melges would do a lot to promote a new class, so regattas would be fun. In May, the pandemic situation was quite grim so having a fun boat to sail was a surprisingly easy decision for the group.

Melges: What were your first impressions after sailing the boat?
CF: I was a bit nervous. Not only did I buy a boat sight unseen, but I talked others into it as well. I sailed the boat three times the first weekend and was impressed by something new each time. First single-handed, then in light wind with my wife, and finally some breeze with another owner which was a hoot. Our first day of racing had big smiles from the owners. We love how quick the boat accelerates with the spinnaker, but it’s very forgiving too. I’ve had an 11-year-old Opti sailor driving while I crewed, and they felt in control, which helps build confidence. The M15 is easy to de-power and can sail under control in breeze, but really lights up at the windward mark.

Melges: What feature do you like most about the Melges 15?
CF: The gnav vang system opens up the cockpit to make crossing the boat easier.

Melges: Who do you plan on sailing the M15 with?
CF: I plan on sailing with my wife, Mary, primarily. We have nephews and cousins who are budding junior sailors that we’ll go out with too.

Melges: What are your plans with your new boat?
CF: Primarily racing at the club, but it’s proving to be a fun boat to daysail too. We intend to take the boats to FL for the winter series.

Introducing the Melges 15

ZENDA, WISCONSIN (May 19, 2020): Melges Performance Sailboats is proud to announce the latest addition to its lineup, the Melges 15. Designed by Reichel/Pugh and built by Melges, the new double-handed boat prioritizes stability, comfort, ease of use, and performance.

“The Melges 15 appeals to a wide range of skill levels and sailors while serving a variety of purposes,” introduced Harry Melges, CEO of Melges. “The Melges 15 creates a clear pathway for junior sailors to get started and stay excited about sailing while also being comfortable and accessible enough for adults to learn, race, or cross-train.”

With the main design goals focused on stability and performance in a variety of conditions, the boat features a narrow overall beam and a flat cross-section shape for stability, righting moment, and ease of planing. For a more forgiving feel upwind and to navigate larger sea states, the Melges 15 has just the right amount of fore and aft rocker.

For adults, the Melges 15 features a more ergonomic platform and a broader weight range for competitive racing. Melges conducted extensive research and product testing to produce this layout factoring in cockpit depth, backbone height, and floor plan. The result is a comfortable environment for both the skipper and crew. The deeper cockpit takes the load off the sailor’s knees helping them feel locked into the boat while the high boom and gnav vang system work together to make the boat easier to maneuver.

The asymmetric spinnaker offers an additional performance element while the single-pull launch and retrieval system makes handling the sail easy and fast. “This system is nothing new to small boats,” explained Melges. “We envision this boat being sailed by kids, couples, and families. By adding this setup to the Melges 15, it keeps the boat fun and easy for anyone to crew.”

The Melges 15 has an adaptable sail plan for both club-use and one-design racing. The club setup features a main and jib and durable platform for daily use in sailing programs. The one-design rig adds the asymmetrical spinnaker for advanced learning and club racing. The transition from club to one-design setup is a simple process to remove the spinnaker bag and bowsprit.

The new boat is already creating such a buzz that Melges is planning a winter series in Florida for 2021. More details on the winter series will be released in the Fall.

Production is underway in Zenda, WI for the first run of boats. “As we celebrate 75 years of business, we’re proud to start building these boats at our Wisconsin headquarters,” said Melges. “We use the same build processes on the Melges 15 that we use for many of our other boats and hold them to the same high standards.”

LEARN MORE: www.melges.com/melges-15

CONTACT US: sales@melges.com