Experience the Melges 15 Winter Series: Big Fleet Sailing at a Premier Venue
The 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series gets underway January 7 in Jensen Beach, FL. Hosted by Melges, the two-day event already has a record 70 boats registered.
The 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series gets underway January 7 in Jensen Beach, FL. Hosted by Melges, the two-day event already has a record 70 boats registered.
Record Turnout
With more than 140 sailors expected, this event will mark the largest Class event to date! Jensen Beach is known for its consistent breeze coupled with the Melges’ signature fun and lively post-race and late-night social scene, the 2023 Winter Series is an event you just can’t miss!
What’s on Tap
Get a feel for the venue and learn from the Melges Class Experts on the Friday before the event with practice sailing and shoreside refreshments. Racing starts Saturday with four races scheduled, immediately after racing is the Melges Rocks Happy Hour and post-race debrief brought to you by Vakaros. Using the state-of-the-art Atlas 2 sailing instrument, competitors will get an in-depth look at the techniques and tactics that made the top teams successful throughout the day. For those sailors who prefer a bit of nightlife, Melges 15 Late Night is the ticket for them. The first drink is on Melges when you show up to Mulligan’s on Saturday night between 8:30-9pm.
Registration is still open, and Melges Sailing Services make storing your boat in between events affordable and hassle-free. Melges offers an al carte menu of storage and rigging services to make your event a breeze. Fly in on Friday and out Sunday after racing - no rigging, no de-rigging, and no trailering!
Join the Fun
Can’t make the first event? No worries; there are two more winter events on the calendar! No boat? No problem! Reach out to us to learn about charter opportunities for February and March.
Follow the action on the Melges Facebook and Instagram. Learn more about joining the Melges 15 Class for the next event at Melges15.com.
Setting Up Your Vakaros Atlas 2 for Melges 15 Sailing
The Vakaros Atlas 2 is the only class legal device that gives you the advanced functionality of boatspeed, heel, trim, heading, time to start, and more, all on a single screen.
Class Rules
What’s legal: GPS Speed, Heel, Pitch, and Heading
What’s illegal: Pinging the starting line and time/distance to the line are prohibited in the Melges 15 Class. Knowing where the starting line is and taking advantage of line sag are all important skills that we want to reward. By prohibiting distance to line, the M15 Class has also reduced the number of general recalls, along with getting rid of the need to ping the line. When you have more than 60 boats on the race course, pinging becomes a time-consuming and laborious process.
Vakaros Atlas 2 Class Compliance
The Vakaros Atlas 2 is the only class legal device that gives you the advanced functionality of boat speed, heel, trim, heading, time to start, and more, all on a single screen. The Atlas 2’s new class-compliant mode restricts functions in accordance with the rules. If there is ever any doubt, the Atlas 2 creates an uneditable log file with verification of what settings were available and when. This allows sailors to use the Atlas 2 legally on their Melges 15 and to unlock full capabilities when used in other classes, such as the E Scow, A Scow, and Melges 24.
The Atlas 2 gives you the ability to be your own tuning partner. Change settings and techniques on the water and get instant feedback. Connect your Atlas 2 to your phone after racing or training and relive the session.
When racing or practicing with fellow fleet members and Atlas 2 owners, you will be able to have their racing tracks and data for post-racing debriefs. See where the leaders tracked and how their onboard data may be different from yours. The M15 Class is focused on improving your sailing, taking your data to the next level will only help maximize your enjoyment.
When you show up to an M15 regatta with your Atlas 2, switch it to M15 Class Legal mode and go sailing! Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide to switching to class legal mode.
Melges 15 Class Welcomes Vakaros to 2023 Winter Series
Melges Performance Sailboats is thrilled to welcome Vakaros as a sponsor of the 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series in Jensen Beach, FL.
Melges Performance Sailboats is thrilled to welcome Vakaros as a sponsor of the 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series in Jensen Beach, FL.
Vakaros is a leading manufacturer of sailing instruments, including the Atlas 2. The Atlas 2 combines world-class internal sensors with a high-contrast display to offer Melges 15 sailors a single-instrument solution to give high-quality data both on and off the water. For a Melges 15, this means boat speed, heel, trim, heading, and more, all on a single screen. For an added boost, the Atlas 2’s LED Array can be configured to show heel angle, time-to-start, and shift tracking.
The Melges 15 Class prohibits pinging the line, but the Atlas 2’s new class-compliant mode restricts functions in accordance with the rules. If there is ever any doubt, the Atlas 2 creates an uneditable log file with verification of what settings were available and when. This allows sailors to use the Atlas 2 legally on their Melges 15 and to unlock full capabilities when used in other classes, such as the E Scow, A Scow, and Melges 24.
The Winter Series kicks off with its first event January 7-8, 2023 at the US Sailing Center of Martin County in Jensen Beach, FL. The Vakaros team will be onsite for the M15 Winter Series to run data-driven debriefs with insight from Atlas 2’s data logging.
SAVE 5% ON THE ATLAS 2
Vakaros and Melges are partnering to offer M15 Class members an exclusive 5% discount on the Atlas 2 through December 15. Use code “M15WSATLAS” to save and receive free shipping!
Melges 15 hull care, What’s legal?
Taking care of the bottom of your Melges 15 is key to ensuring the boat keeps its competitive edge. Below are some best practices to make sure your maintenance regime falls within the class rules.
Can I wet sand the boat?
You are allowed to wet sand the bottom of your Melges 15 with up to 600 grit sand paper. This will make the area you are sanding match the factory bottom finish of your boat.
Is Polishing/ buffing your boat legal?
No, you may may not polish or buff the bottom of your boat. Polishing is considered sanding with a sandpaper grit finer than 600grit, a scotch brite pad finer then very fine, machine or hand buffing with polishing compound.
Can I wax the bottom of my boat?
Yes, you may apply a protective wax to the bottom of your boat so long as the wax does not contain any cutting/ grit compound that would smooth the finish of the hull past 600 grit. Liquid and paste waxes are legal so long as they don’t contain polishing or cutting compounds.
What is the best way to prepare for a regatta?
We recommend cleaning your bottom with soap and water and not applying any wax before regattas.
I sail in dirty water, how should I protect my boat?
Applying some wax can reduce marine growth and discoloration.
Melges recommended waxes:
Scotchgard™ Marine Liquid Wax
3M Perfect-It™ Boat Wax
If you have questions about proper maintenance and upkeep, email sales@melges.com. If your boat needs service or repairs, contact the Melges Team in Zenda, WI by calling 262-275-1110.
Join the Pacific Northwest Circuit
The Melges 15 Class calendar features three new events as part of the Pacific Northwest Circuit.
Brian Savery traveled from Bellingham, WA to Sarasota, FL for the Winter Series.
The Melges 15 Class calendar features three new events as part of the Pacific Northwest Circuit. Filled with world-class venues and scenic landscapes from the Gorge to Lake Washington, the Melges 15 offers a versatile platform for the region’s waters.
With the Boat of the Year announcement, Melges has seen interest exploding in all parts of North America. With the support of local dealer, West Coast Sailing, the PNW has seen great interest from families and couples looking for a simple boat to enjoy a day on the water.
The Melges 15 Class is excited to add three new events to the calendar.:
April 23-24, 2022 Puget Sound Spring Regatta Seattle, WA
July 30-31, 2022 CGOD Cascade Locks, OR
September 24-25, 2022 Dale Jepson One-Design Bellingham, WA
The Melges Team spoke with owner Brian Savery about the local sailing scene and what his plans are for the season.
“I had my first Melges sailboats experience after college back in Boston on a Melges 24. Then moved out here in 2007 and sailed very consistently on 24's with Paul "Krak" Arnston, and a few others. We love the boat and bought Melges 24 #246 a few years ago. With our growing family of three boys now ages 1 month-3.5 and limited free time, the Melges 15 makes much more sense because we can be on the water and going fast in no time. After growing up sailing 420s and Vanguard 15s, I feel like this is the dinghy I always wanted to sail.”
Sailing in the Gorge. Photo by Sean Trew
Melges: What does the sailing scene look like at your home club?
Brian: In Bellingham, we sail at the Community Boating Center, which is a great resource for people learning to sail and kayak. Actually, the Melges 15 is kind of a great step up for these sailors and we get lots of interest from them. We also have a very active 505 fleet for the more "experienced" sailor, which we race with on Tuesday nights in the summer. For the average sailor though who just wants to hop in and go fast, the Melges 15 is a great middle ground. We can go as fast downwind in planing conditions as most of the 505s but are much more stable and comfortable. And now with 3-4 Melges 15s in town, we can definitely say this is the fleet on the rise.
Melges: Who do you sail with primarily?
Brian: My wife, Amanda, is a mother and doctor with limited free time. To quote Amanda, "It's such an easy boat for a beginner to pick up, go fast, and have fun all at the same time".
I also sail with Scott Wilson who I help coach the Bellingham High School team with. He is in the photo with me sailing at the Gorge.
Melges: What are the perks of having an M15 in Washington?
Brian: It's such an easy boat to jump in and trailer around to places like the Gorge or Seattle. The other nice part is you can get all types of wind from just a breath to 30+ knots, and the boat responds well to everything. We have so many epic sailing venues on the West Coast with a growing fleet, we really look forward to getting to sail at all of them.
Melges: What kind of opportunities are there for regatta travel in the region?
Brian: We have 3-4 regattas this year with one last year. Everything is a bit more spread out naturally compared to say New Jersey, but you get to experience sailing in many different environments.
Melges: What is your favorite venue and why?
Brian: Bellingham Bay is one of the most beautiful places to sail with the San Juan islands and Mount Baker in the background. But it's hard to beat sailing at the Gorge with its consistent winds and upwind current, which just gives you more time downwind!
Melges: What events do you plan on racing this season?
Brian: We traveled about as far as you can go in the continental US for the Winter Series in Florida! Then we have 3-4 local regattas on the schedule and are discussing Nationals in Charleston. Really the can't-miss event for out of towners is the Gorge regatta midsummer.
To view the full list of Melges 15 events, visit melges15.com/events.
Melges 15 Class Wraps Up Winter Series in Sarasota
Sarasota, FL delivered spectacular conditions for the 2022 Melges 15 Midwinter Championship.
Sarasota, FL delivered spectacular conditions for the 2022 Melges 15 Midwinter Championship. After nine races, the overall series was won by Eddie Cox and Molly Ziegler with Ripley Shelley and Harry Melges IV crowned Midwinter Champions.
Sixty-four boats competed over the three-day event on the Bay - more than double the registrations in 2021. Two countries and 25 states were represented. The large turnout comes on the heels of the Melges 15 launching worldwide with a second builder in Portugal.
Finishing third in the event were the 2021 Winter Series and National Champions, Emily and John Haig (Beach Haven, NJ). “It doesn’t feel like that long ago that we got our boat and were racing against a dozen boats in New Jersey,” said Emily. “Now we’re here in Florida for the second Winter Series with almost 70 boats.”
The Winter Series relocates to Jensen Beach, FL for 2023. The three events will be run out of the US Sailing Center of Martin County, known for consistent breeze and great sailing.
Sarasota Gears Up for Midwinter Championship
The Melges 15 Class is in Sarasota, FL for the Midwinter Championship, the third event of the 2022 Winter Series. Sixty-seven boats are set to compete at the final event in Sarasota.
This is the first Winter Series for Rich and Amanda Horton (Columbia, SC). “There aren’t many classes that attract this many boats,” said Rich. “The biggest event we had sailed was the M15 Nationals with thirty boats. Now we’re out here with 67 boats, which is so much fun and we’re learning a lot.”
“I’ve never done this before, and the Winter Series gives you something to look forward to,” added Amanda. “You’re going on vacation every four weeks - you’re in the warm weather and hanging out with new friends.”
The Class has its sights set on the US Sailing Center of Martin County in Jensen Beach, FL for the 2023 Winter Series. With more than 80 boats eager to sail the 2022 Winter Series, the Class expects the upward trend in registration to continue as boat sales boom across the country.
Follow the action from the three-day event starting Friday, March 25 on the Melges Facebook and Instagram accounts. Results will be posted to Regatta Network. Learn more about the Melges 15 Class and read daily recaps on Melges15.com.