The reputation of the Melges 24® precedes itself. Best known for its very competitive disposition and easy-to-sail personality, this modern sportboat maintains its status as a leader in high-performance, one design sailing.

Coming off his America’s Cup win, Buddy Melges had an obvious desire to take one-design racing to the next level. The Melges Team joined forces with Reichel/Pugh to deliver the ground-breaking Melges 24 in 1993. Together they pioneered the next frontier of competitive yacht racing by integrating high-tech materials and concepts used at the America’s Cup level into a sportboat that was fun, affordable, easy to rig, set-up and tow. Winning ‘Boat Of The Year’ in 1994 by Sailing World Magazine, it raised the bar and set the standard in the performance keelboat category.

Decades later, the International Melges 24 Class enjoys more than 900+ boats sailing competitively in more than 20 countries on five continents. Its World Championships regularly see big lineups, attracting the world’s biggest and brightest sailors.

  • Fun and easy to sail as well as rig; only requires two sets of hands for a super quick setup

  • Can be launched via hoist or ramp; it’s a pleasure to tow

  • Typically sailed with a crew of four

 

 

specifications

LENGTH

24 ft  //  7.31 m

BEAM

8 ft 2 in  //  2.489 m

DRAFT

5 ft // 1.52 m

Weight

1783 lbs // 809 kg

CREW

2-5 (Typically 4)

SAIL AREA

main

264 sq ft // 9.1 m2

jib

126 sq ft // 12 m2

spinnaker

670 sq ft // 55.9 m2