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.
Melges 15 Class Welcomes Vakaros to 2023 Winter Series
Melges Performance Sailboats is thrilled to welcome Vakaros as a sponsor of the 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series in Jensen Beach, FL.
Melges Performance Sailboats is thrilled to welcome Vakaros as a sponsor of the 2023 Melges 15 Winter Series in Jensen Beach, FL.
Vakaros is a leading manufacturer of sailing instruments, including the Atlas 2. The Atlas 2 combines world-class internal sensors with a high-contrast display to offer Melges 15 sailors a single-instrument solution to give high-quality data both on and off the water. For a Melges 15, this means boat speed, heel, trim, heading, and more, all on a single screen. For an added boost, the Atlas 2’s LED Array can be configured to show heel angle, time-to-start, and shift tracking.
The Melges 15 Class prohibits pinging the line, but 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 Winter Series kicks off with its first event January 7-8, 2023 at the US Sailing Center of Martin County in Jensen Beach, FL. The Vakaros team will be onsite for the M15 Winter Series to run data-driven debriefs with insight from Atlas 2’s data logging.
SAVE 5% ON THE ATLAS 2
Vakaros and Melges are partnering to offer M15 Class members an exclusive 5% discount on the Atlas 2 through December 15. Use code “M15WSATLAS” to save and receive free shipping!
Melges 15 hull care, What’s legal?
Taking care of the bottom of your Melges 15 is key to ensuring the boat keeps its competitive edge. Below are some best practices to make sure your maintenance regime falls within the class rules.
Can I wet sand the boat?
You are allowed to wet sand the bottom of your Melges 15 with up to 600 grit sand paper. This will make the area you are sanding match the factory bottom finish of your boat.
Is Polishing/ buffing your boat legal?
No, you may may not polish or buff the bottom of your boat. Polishing is considered sanding with a sandpaper grit finer than 600grit, a scotch brite pad finer then very fine, machine or hand buffing with polishing compound.
Can I wax the bottom of my boat?
Yes, you may apply a protective wax to the bottom of your boat so long as the wax does not contain any cutting/ grit compound that would smooth the finish of the hull past 600 grit. Liquid and paste waxes are legal so long as they don’t contain polishing or cutting compounds.
What is the best way to prepare for a regatta?
We recommend cleaning your bottom with soap and water and not applying any wax before regattas.
I sail in dirty water, how should I protect my boat?
Applying some wax can reduce marine growth and discoloration.
Melges recommended waxes:
Scotchgard™ Marine Liquid Wax
3M Perfect-It™ Boat Wax
If you have questions about proper maintenance and upkeep, email sales@melges.com. If your boat needs service or repairs, contact the Melges Team in Zenda, WI by calling 262-275-1110.
Join the Pacific Northwest Circuit
The Melges 15 Class calendar features three new events as part of the Pacific Northwest Circuit.
Brian Savery traveled from Bellingham, WA to Sarasota, FL for the Winter Series.
The Melges 15 Class calendar features three new events as part of the Pacific Northwest Circuit. Filled with world-class venues and scenic landscapes from the Gorge to Lake Washington, the Melges 15 offers a versatile platform for the region’s waters.
With the Boat of the Year announcement, Melges has seen interest exploding in all parts of North America. With the support of local dealer, West Coast Sailing, the PNW has seen great interest from families and couples looking for a simple boat to enjoy a day on the water.
The Melges 15 Class is excited to add three new events to the calendar.:
April 23-24, 2022 Puget Sound Spring Regatta Seattle, WA
July 30-31, 2022 CGOD Cascade Locks, OR
September 24-25, 2022 Dale Jepson One-Design Bellingham, WA
The Melges Team spoke with owner Brian Savery about the local sailing scene and what his plans are for the season.
“I had my first Melges sailboats experience after college back in Boston on a Melges 24. Then moved out here in 2007 and sailed very consistently on 24's with Paul "Krak" Arnston, and a few others. We love the boat and bought Melges 24 #246 a few years ago. With our growing family of three boys now ages 1 month-3.5 and limited free time, the Melges 15 makes much more sense because we can be on the water and going fast in no time. After growing up sailing 420s and Vanguard 15s, I feel like this is the dinghy I always wanted to sail.”
Sailing in the Gorge. Photo by Sean Trew
Melges: What does the sailing scene look like at your home club?
Brian: In Bellingham, we sail at the Community Boating Center, which is a great resource for people learning to sail and kayak. Actually, the Melges 15 is kind of a great step up for these sailors and we get lots of interest from them. We also have a very active 505 fleet for the more "experienced" sailor, which we race with on Tuesday nights in the summer. For the average sailor though who just wants to hop in and go fast, the Melges 15 is a great middle ground. We can go as fast downwind in planing conditions as most of the 505s but are much more stable and comfortable. And now with 3-4 Melges 15s in town, we can definitely say this is the fleet on the rise.
Melges: Who do you sail with primarily?
Brian: My wife, Amanda, is a mother and doctor with limited free time. To quote Amanda, "It's such an easy boat for a beginner to pick up, go fast, and have fun all at the same time".
I also sail with Scott Wilson who I help coach the Bellingham High School team with. He is in the photo with me sailing at the Gorge.
Melges: What are the perks of having an M15 in Washington?
Brian: It's such an easy boat to jump in and trailer around to places like the Gorge or Seattle. The other nice part is you can get all types of wind from just a breath to 30+ knots, and the boat responds well to everything. We have so many epic sailing venues on the West Coast with a growing fleet, we really look forward to getting to sail at all of them.
Melges: What kind of opportunities are there for regatta travel in the region?
Brian: We have 3-4 regattas this year with one last year. Everything is a bit more spread out naturally compared to say New Jersey, but you get to experience sailing in many different environments.
Melges: What is your favorite venue and why?
Brian: Bellingham Bay is one of the most beautiful places to sail with the San Juan islands and Mount Baker in the background. But it's hard to beat sailing at the Gorge with its consistent winds and upwind current, which just gives you more time downwind!
Melges: What events do you plan on racing this season?
Brian: We traveled about as far as you can go in the continental US for the Winter Series in Florida! Then we have 3-4 local regattas on the schedule and are discussing Nationals in Charleston. Really the can't-miss event for out of towners is the Gorge regatta midsummer.
To view the full list of Melges 15 events, visit melges15.com/events.