Melges 17

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Melges 17
Melges17logo.jpg
Class symbol
NameMelges 17
Crew2
Boat
Crew2
Draft3 ft 11.5 in (1.207 m)
Hull
TypeMonohull (Scow)
Hull weight300 lb (140 kg)
LOA16 ft 7.75 in (5.0737 m)
Beam5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Sails
Mainsail area154 sq ft (14.3 m2)
Jib/genoa area66 sq ft (6.1 m2)
Spinnaker area280 sq ft (26 m2)

The Melges17 is a Bermuda rigged racing scow first launched in January 2004 by Melges Performance Sailboats. The boat's rig consists of a main with a large roach, a roller furling jib and an asymmetrical spinnaker used in conjunction with the retractable bowsprit.[1]

Design[edit]

The Melges17 is similar in design to the M-16 and it is thought that it is in fact, a modern M-16. The project began in 2002, when Melges became the Vanguard dealer for Wisconsin. At this time, Vanguard was pushing their new boat, the Vanguard Vector, a dual trapeze skiff. Melges had a Vector at their location on the shores of Lake Geneva, to try to promote the boat. Within a few months, an M-16 appeared next to the Vector with Vector rigging. The M-16 was complete with a carbon fiber mast and asymmetrical spinnaker. Two years later, the Melges17 came to market.

Melges approached Reichel/Pugh to redesign the hull and the foils. Although the Hull shape and size is much like the M-16, the boat itself is a different creature.

Reichel/Pugh also designed other modern Melges boats, such as the Melges 24, the Melges 30, and the Melges 32.

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ "Product Brochure, Melges 17" (PDF). Melges Boatworks. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 26, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2013.

External links[edit]