Melges 15 Winter Series Returns to Jensen Beach in 2024
The Melges 15 Class is excited to announce that the Winter Series will be returning to Jensen Beach, FL in 2024.
The Melges 15 Class is excited to announce that the Winter Series will be returning to Jensen Beach, FL in 2024. The three-event series will be hosted by the Class at the US Sailing Center of Martin County. With its fabulous breeze and stunning beaches, Jensen Beach is primed for great racing.
Save the dates for the 2024 Winter Series:
Event 1 January 6-7, 2024
Event 2 February 24-25, 2024
Midwinter Championship March 22-24, 2024
JOIN THE ACTION
With more than 60 boats on the line at each event, the Melges 15 is one of the most popular classes you can join. Email sales@melges.com to schedule a demo at your club and join the action!
Melges 15 Class Prepares for Final Showdown of 2023 Winter Series
The Melges 15 Class is in Jensen Beach, FL for the Midwinter Championship, the third of the 2023 Winter Series.
The Melges 15 Class is in Jensen Beach, FL for the Midwinter Championship, the third of the 2023 Winter Series. Sixty-seven boats are set to compete at the final event in what has been a record-breaking season for participation.
More than 100 teams from 25 states traveled south to compete in the series. But it’s not just mass registration that has drawn media attention, it’s the diversity of the sailors. At the previous event, 60% of the top 10 teams were female sailors and 40% of those same teams were in the 50+ divisions.
“The camaraderie within this class is unmatched and it’s great to see such diversity within the fleet. Husbands sailing with their wives, kids with their parents, college students, the list goes on,” said Allison Simkins, who sails with her husband Brian. “Not coming from a sailing background, the M15 has been a great introduction to the competitive sailing environment. It’s one of the most friendly and welcoming groups that I’ve been a part of.”
With sales booming globally, Melges is celebrating nearly 600 Melges 15s sold since May 2020. The newest fleet to join the frenzy is based in Dublin, Ireland. With the worldwide launch and boats readily available, overseas event planning is underway.
Follow the action from the three-day event starting Friday, March 24 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.
Winter Series Event 2 Draws Crowds to Jensen Beach
The 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series Event Two attracted boat owners from around the country with their crews and families to Jensen Beach, FL.
The 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series Event Two attracted boat owners from around the country with their crews and families to Jensen Beach, FL. We had three competitive races in 6-10 knots featuring three different race winners including new owners Michael Max and Matt Burridge (St. Louis, MO). Vakaros hosted a debrief featuring tracks and analytics from the races paired with complimentary food and chilled beverages from Melges.
On Sunday, the Race Committee tried to fire off a race in challenging conditions, but ultimately abandoned for the day. The beach launch made it easy for boats to pack up before rallying for awards.
A single point separated the top two teams with Emily Haig and Nika Silkin (Beach Haven, NJ) taking the overall win followed by Toby and Peter Sullivan (Dellwood, MN). Awards were presented to the top sailors in their age division as well as top youth, top female and top husband/wife.
The 2023 Winter Series concludes with the Midwinter Championship March 24-26 in Jensen Beach.
2023 Winter Events Update
Register today to save on entry fees and encourage your fellow class members to join you.
Melges 15 winter sailing is in the full swing! There are lots of new events on the calendar including the Bacardi Cup Invitational and Sailing World Regatta Series in San Diego. Register today to save on entry fees and encourage your fellow class members to join you. Charters are available for select events. Email eddie@melges.com to learn more.
Melges 15 Winter Series Event 2
February 25-26
Jensen Beach, FL
Melges 15 Midwinter Championship
March 24-26
Jensen Beach, FL
*Early Registration Ends Wednesday, March 1*
Sailing World Regatta Series
February 17-19
St. Petersburg, FL
Bacardi Cup Invitational
March 8-11
Miami, FL
Sailing World Regatta Series
March 17-19
San Diego, CA
*Early Registration Ends Saturday, Feb. 25*
See the Melges 15 at Boot Dusseldorf!
The Melges 15 will be on display at the Dusseldorf Boat Show this January 21-29, 2023.
The Melges 15 will be on display at the Dusseldorf Boat Show this January 21-29, 2023. The boat will be showcased by Hein Ruyten One Design in Hall 15 stand 15/G42. You can learn more about visiting the show at the official show website www.boot-duesseldorf.com. If you are visiting the show, swing by the stand and say hello!
Making Waves on the Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay offers no shortage of waterfront activities and provides a plethora of options for every type of boater. Known as the sailing capital of the U.S., Annapolis is home to some of the newest Melges 15 Class members.
The Chesapeake Bay offers no shortage of waterfront activities and provides a plethora of options for every type of boater. Known as the sailing capital of the U.S., Annapolis, MD is home to some of the newest Melges 15 Class members.
Annapolis had eleven boats convoy down to Jensen Beach, FL this month for the first event of the 2023 Winter Series where we touched base with new owner Sara Morgan-Watters on the latest developments for the east coast boats.
The Chesapeake is the largest estuary in the country. “It is very convenient to sail out of Annapolis, especially for small boats. You only have to sail a few minutes or less than a mile from the club and you'll find yourself in raceable areas of the Severn River,” said Watters.
With its storied maritime history, the city’s sailors quickly picked up on the Melges 15. “We started as a group of individuals from different clubs (well, mainly two) who caught wind of this awesome boat and either tried sailing an event or bought the boat right away,” noted Watters. Severn Sailing Association and Eastport Yacht Club members have been the most involved in leading the charge with the local scene alongside Annapolis Yacht Club.
“I became a member of EYC in August because I had just bought an M15 and knew they would allow me to keep it there. SSA and EYC are next-door neighbors. They have the best launching venues in Annapolis since they are situated right on the river.”
“Now that at least five SSA members are M15 owners, they have just submitted their request to be a recognized fleet there, which will make it easier for members to store their boats and for the club to host events!” she added. “EYC has also shown much support and is enthusiastic for members to keep their boats on the lot.”
When it comes down to it all, Annapolis sailors have a strong passion for dinghy racing and it is home to some of the country’s most notable college teams including the Naval Academy, St. Mary’s, and Old Dominion. “There's an appetite for double-handed dinghy sailing to complement the more traditional keelboat racing most college alumni sailors tend to gravitate to in our area,” Watters explained. “You're also seeing a lot of older generations from the J/70, Viper, J/80, or J/22 classes who are enjoying M15 as owners, which provides a fun and fast relief to bigger keelboat racing.”
As for the upcoming summer on the Bay, you’ll find active social and on-the-water scenes for the M15 Fleet with more one-design events in the works. “There's about 12 of us with boats and many more who are excited about the boat and looking to buy one! The M15s will be racing during the summer on Tuesday nights during the Tuesday Evening Sailing One Design (TESOD) hosted by Severn Sailing Association. You'll see them racing against Snipes, 420s, FJs, and other dinghies with a main and jib sail as a fun summer sailing option. The M15 had its own fleet at the Hospice Cup Regatta this past fall with seven boats racing and we expect more this year.”
Melges 15 Winter Series Takes Over Jensen Beach
The 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series Event One featured record turnout, glamorous conditions, and a rocking social scene in downtown Jensen Beach, FL.
The 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series Event One featured record turnout, glamorous conditions, and a rocking social scene in downtown Jensen Beach, FL.
With seventy boats on the line, it was the largest class event to date in such a short time since the boat’s launch in Spring 2020. “This event has been a great opportunity to see what this fleet is all about,” remarked Bryan Stout. “I don’t think any of us had seen a fleet of this size before and for something that came out so recently, we’re all learning together. We feel like we came in with good experience and we’re coming out even better.”
Saturday’s races were followed by a Vakaros Atlas 2 debrief with tracks and analytics from racing for a great discussion among the competitors. Melges hosted a happy hour afterward complete with tacos, complimentary beer, and Ron Abuelo Rum tasting.
The competition wrapped up on Sunday with plenty of shakeups across the fleet in consistent wind and sunny skies. Congratulations to Melges 15 veteran Emily Haig, with Zoey Fisher on their overall win followed by Jonathan Bailey and Suzanne Ackley, and Geoff Becker and Monica Morgan. Haig has been involved with the Class since the first event occurred in her hometown of Beach Haven, NJ.
The Winter Series fun continues February 25-26 and March 24-26 in Jensen Beach. Full results and photos are available on melges15.com.
