Record Numbers Open 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series
The 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series kicks off this weekend, January 7-8, with a class record-breaking 79 boats registered.
The 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series kicks off this weekend, January 7-8, with a class record-breaking 79 boats registered. Hosted by Melges in Jensen Beach, FL, there are seven races scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
The weekend features a great social scene with happy hours and debriefs hosted by Vakaros featuring the latest technology from the Atlas 2.
The Winter Series based at the US Sailing Center of Martin County offers consistent breeze and flat water throughout the winter months. The fierce competition will be on full display in the large lineup paired with the vibrant social scene of downtown Jensen Beach.
This weekend marks the first of three events continuing February 25-26 and culminating in the Midwinter Championship March 24-26. Awards will be presented to the top competitors overall as well as individual age groups, youth skippers, and female skippers.
Follow the action on the Melges Facebook and Instagram. Results will be posted on Clubspot and available on melges15.com.
Save the Date: 2023 National Championship
The Melges 15 Class is thrilled to announce the 2023 National Championship will take place September 29-October 2, 2023 at Sayville Yacht Club in Blue Point, NY.
The Melges 15 Class is thrilled to announce the 2023 National Championship will take place September 29-October 2, 2023 at Sayville Yacht Club in Blue Point, NY.
The weekend will kick off with a clinic led by Melges/Quantum Sails Zenda followed by three days of racing.
The 2022 Melges 15 season is in full swing with a record number of entries for the Winter Series in Sarasota, Florida. The Spring calendar features new events on the East Coast and the start of the Pacific Northwest circuit.
Rig Tuning 101
The experts at Melges are here to help you get your boat up to speed with this easy-to-follow tuning tutorial.
The class experts at Melges put together a video reviewing rig tuning tips and go-fast settings for various conditions. Extensive testing, race data, and experience were used to develop these easy-to-follow settings. The tuning guide is another valuable reference for Melges 15 sailors.
Shop the accessories shown in the video:
California Dreamin' - Meet Long Beach's Melges 15 Fleet
The Melges 15 is continuing its record growth across the U.S. with Alamitos Bay Yacht Club among the newest fleets popping up on the West Coast.
The Melges 15 is continuing its record growth across the U.S. with Alamitos Bay Yacht Club among the newest fleets popping up on the West Coast.
Melges tuned in with Nick Kofski from Long Beach to get the lowdown on the budding Melges 15 scene out West. Kofski, a former Viper and Vanguard sailor, took delivery of his new Melges 15 this Fall.
“Alamitos Bay Yacht Club is one of the main venues for dinghy sailing in the Los Angeles area with solid fleets among the Lasers, Viper 640s, Lidos, and Sabots. The fleets are made up of all types from world champions and Olympians to the regular weekend cruiser types.”
Originally from Chicago, Kofski knew a few friends who had purchased Melges 15s and were enjoying the Winter Series. “Speaking with my friends, the M15 looked like a fun fleet that was affordable to get into and might fill a void at our club as well. So we got a few guys together and lined up an order.”
The void Kofski alluded to was the declining participation in a few of the one-design fleets at his club. “The big numbers at the Winter Series and across the country were especially encouraging for us as we were looking to start a new fleet. We had a few club members moving away from the once-dominant classes and looking for a new design that would tick all the boxes.”
“Long Beach has perfect conditions for the M15 with the normal breeze around 12-16 knots and small sea state on most summer days. It’s a fairly simple boat with a manageable kite that is easy for crews to deal with. It also has great speed for the size and cost of the boat - it’s sorta hard to beat.”
A reflection of the Melges 15 Class nationwide, the ABYC owners come from a variety of backgrounds, ages, and levels of experience. “Our owners run the gamut ranging from their 30s to their 60s, with a few families already sailing with their kids that are in the junior fleet. There are a few couples and friends sharing boats too.”
From holiday regattas to weeknight racing and premiere annual events run out of ABYC, there’s no shortage of activity for the Melges 15 fleet to engage with. A few short weeks after receiving their boats, the fleet was racing in the Turkey Day Regatta. “Six of us are brand new owners and the other traveled from nearby,” said Kofski. “We saw winds from 5-24kts, so it was great for all of us newbies. We had a blast with lots of lead changes and very close racing for all.”
In addition to local events, Kofski hopes to do some traveling on the East Coast and is heading to the Winter Series next month. “We’re stoked to see 70 boats on the line,” added Kofski.
Join the Melges 15 Class out West in 2023:
June 23-25, 2023 Long Beach Race Week Long Beach, CA
July 29-30, 2023 Pacific Coast Championship (CGOD) Cascade Locks, OR
Interested in starting a new Melges 15 fleet at your club? Email sales@melges.com.
Book Your Melges 15 Winter Series Storage
Melges offers all-inclusive concierge services to make your regatta experience as seamless as possible.
Melges offers all-inclusive concierge services to make your regatta experience as seamless as possible. Flying in last minute? We'll have your boat rigged for you when you arrive. Enjoy hassle-free takeoff. We'll de-rig and move your boat to storage after the event. No trailer? No problem. We'll move your boat to-and-from the storage facility for one low price.
BOAT ONLY STORAGE
Car topping or having your boat transported to FL? Melges will arrange for your Melges 15 to be stored inside on a monthly bases and transport your boat to and from the event site. Full pre-event rigging and post-event de-rigging services are also available for an additional fee. Boats will be transported to and from the storage facility arriving no later than Friday morning for Events 1 and 2 and Thursday morning for Event 3 (Midwinters).
BOAT ON TRAILER STORAGE
Melges will arrange for your Melges 15 to be stored indoors on a monthly basis. You can choose to transport your boat to and from the storage facility between events or have Melges transport your boat to and from Jensen Beach. This option is for Melges 15 owners who have a single-boat trailer.
BOX TRAILER STORAGE
Melges will arrange for your Melges 15 box trailer to be stored on a monthly basis. You can choose to transport your trailer to and from the storage facility between events or have Melges transport your trailer to a from Jensen Beach.
QUESTIONS?
The Melges Team is here to help you have a great regatta! Send an email to sales@melges.com or call 262-275-1110.
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.