Thirty years and nearly 900 boats later, the Melges 24 remains the benchmark by which all sportboats continue to be measured. Its fun, fast and highly-addictive style of high-performance racing continues to attract and fascinate young and old, experienced and novice, World Champions and top-notch Corinthians around the world.
Successful One Design classes have long been an integral part of the Reichel/Pugh DNA. Designed by Reichel/Pugh in 1992, built by Melges Performance Sailboats and first raced in 1993, the Melges 24 sparked the sportboat revolution around the world. Reichel/Pugh and Melges pioneered the next frontier of competitive yacht racing by integrating high-tech materials and concepts used in the America’s Cup into a sportboat that was fun, affordable, easy to rig, set-up and tow. Named Boat of the Year in 1994 by Sailing World Magazine, it raised the bar and set the standard in the performance keelboat category.
“After a successful 1992 Americas Cup campaign, Buddy Melges and his team alongside American yacht designers John Reichel and Jim Pugh, produced what would become and still remains the premier one-design sportboat in the world. The Melges 24 has stood the test of time, and 30 years later it is as relevant as it was in 1993,” says 2023 U.S. Melges 24 Class President, Megan Ratliff, owner of Decorum, USA-805.
The Melges 24’s overwhelming success paved the way for a long standing relationship between Melges Performance Sailboats and Reichel/Pugh in designing and developing one design classes such as the Melges 32’ and 20’ sportboats , 17’ scow, 14’ and 15' dinghies. These classes continue to set the benchmark for high-performance, one design racing, attracting top sailors of all ages to the classes each year. The Melges 14 was honored as Sailing World’s 2016 Boat of the Year – Best Dinghy, and the Melges 15 as Sailing World’s 2022 Boat of the Year – Overall!
“Its high aspect foils and large sail plan coupled with its simple deck layout makes the boat easy and fun to sail. The ability to trailer low behind a station wagon, and ramp or hoist launch makes any venue appealing. Its hull shape makes it exciting in large ocean swell and exhilarating on the flat waters of the inland lakes of the Midwest.”
“Close to 900 boats have been produced worldwide and there are currently active fleets in 25 countries. This Class draws sailing’s top professional and amateur talent which continue to drive the class forward. It’s an amazing boat that will undoubtedly continue to be the premier one-design for decades to come,” continued Ratliff.
Simply put, the Melges 24 is still the best sport-boat ever built. It was ahead of its time when introduced in the early 1990's and it's still the gold-standard today. Challengers come and go, but we all tend to circle back to the Melges 24. It's fast, lively, feels great to drive, can handle the full range from calm and flat to big breeze and waves—all the things you look for in a class.
“Happy birthday Melges 24! Here’s to 30 more years of outstanding one design racing!”
Source: Joy Dunigan, U.S. Melges 24 Class Association Press Officer
Photos courtesy of Matias Capizzano / Pierrick Contin / Melges Performance Sailboats