The Ultimate Guide to the Winter Series
The Melges Team and its partners have put together a number of services to create a seamless and budget-friendly experience.
Planning for the Melges 15 U.S. Winter Series is exciting, but can also be a bit overwhelming if it’s your first time and you don’t know where to start. The Melges Team and its partners have put together a number of services to create a seamless and budget-friendly experience.
STEP 1: Don’t Miss a Deadline!
The Winter Series offers a number of opportunities to save on entry fees. Don’t miss out on the savings!
November 1: Final Day to Save on the Series
Step 2: Arrange Your Boat’s Transportation
The Melges 15 Class is partnering with The Dude Drives LLC to offer roundtrip transportation to Jensen Beach, FL. Starting at $1.3k round trip, we're making winter sailing affordable for you.
Roundtrip transportation will be offered from the following locations:
Minneapolis, MN
Pewaukee/Lake Geneva, WI
Point Pleasant, NJ
Annapolis, MD
If you are not located close to one of the designated locations, The Dude Drives may still be able to accommodate your transportation needs. Fill out the form to check availability.
BONUS: GET FREE DELIVERY TO EVENT 1
Don’t own a Melges 15 yet? You’re in luck! We’re offering FREE delivery of new boats to the January event. Email eddie@melges.com for more information. Share this offer with your friends!
Step 3: Get Your Boat Ready to Move
Whether you’re shipping your boat with The Dude Drives or hauling it yourself, make sure your boat is protected from the elements. The Melges travel cover envelopes both the hull and deck of your boat, keeping it dry and protected while on the road or in storage.
The US Sailing Center of Martin County is designed for beach launching. It is strongly recommended that you have a dolly for this purpose. If you don’t have one, we can deliver one to the January event free of charge (savings of $75!).
During events, we recommend the Melges full deck cover to keep your boat clean and dry when you’re not on the water.
Step 4: Book Transport & Storage
Racing in two regattas or the whole series? Safely store your boat between events for peace of mind. The storage facility is located approximately 20 minutes from the event venue. There are options for boats with and without trailers as well as multi-boat box trailers.
Book transport to and from storage - we make it easy! Once your boat is ready for transit, you can take it directly to the designated drop-off location at the Sailing Center.
*Boats without trailers do not need to book transportation. Transport to and from storage is included in the fee.
Step 5: Rigging Services
Arriving last minute? Leaving in a rush? Enjoy a hassle-free event when you book rigging services. Prior to the practice race, any cover will be removed, your mast will be stepped and the boom attached. After the event, drop your boat at the designated drop-off location and hit the road!
Step 6: Pack the Essentials
Order parts and sails from Melges Sailing Supply by December 20 for FREE delivery to the January event. If you forget something - we’ll have spare parts onsite!
2023 Melges 15 U.S. National Championship Ready to Set Sail in New York
The 2023 Melges 15 National Championship kicks off September 29 at Sayville Yacht Club in Blue Point, NY.
The 2023 Melges 15 U.S. National Championship kicks off September 29 at Sayville Yacht Club in Blue Point, NY. This highly anticipated event promises to be a thrilling showcase of sailing talent, as top sailors from across the nation travel northeast to compete for the Title.
The Melges 15 National Championship is an annual regatta that attracts some of the best sailors in the country. In 2021, the father-daughter team Emily and John Haig from Beach Haven, NJ claimed their victory at Lake Geneva Yacht Club. As the Class has grown over the years, new frontrunners have emerged at events including Lorie Stout, Toby Sullivan, and Clay Johnson.
Dan Cameron, member of SYC, declared, “We’re looking forward to some great competition this weekend on the Great South Bay. The strong breeze and short chop will make for some challenging conditions.”
“Finding the balance between speed and point will separate the boats upwind while finding the right wave to gybe on downwind could lead to big gains,” Cameron is racing with his 19-year-old son, Connor this weekend. “Good luck to all, and please enjoy the hospitality of my home club.”
The Nationals marks the end of the 2023 Championship Series, a new concept for the Class supporting top-tier events. These are class-sanctioned regattas designed to enhance competition, promote regional fleets, and foster camaraderie among racers. The East Coast and Inland Championships drew more than 35 boats each in highly competitive regattas. The 2024 Championship Series will kick off in Jensen Beach, FL with the start of the U.S. Winter Series.
With practice racing scheduled for Thursday, September 28, the competition will run Friday, September 29-Sunday, October 1. Eight races are scheduled with one race necessary to constitute a series. After six races, a discard will be introduced. For more information and to follow the Melges 15 Nationals, visit melges15.com/nationals.
Melges 15 Class Announces European Winter Series in Portugal
The picturesque coastal town of Cascais, Portugal, known as an iconic sailing venue on the west coast of Europe, is set to welcome the world's fastest-growing one-design sailing class, the Melges 15.
The picturesque coastal town of Cascais, Portugal, known as an iconic sailing venue on the west coast of Europe, is set to welcome the fastest-growing one-design sailing class, the Melges 15.
The series will take place November 17-19, 2023, March 1-3, 2024, and April 12-14, 2024, hosted by Sail Cascais at the esteemed Clube Naval de Cascais. With a rich history of organizing prime international regattas, the venue is well-prepared to deliver an exceptional experience for competitors.
The Melges 15 Class has rapidly gained popularity across North America and made its European debut at Boot Dusseldorf in January 2023. Expectations are high, with the U.S. Winter Series attracting more than 65 boats at each event. As the Class begins to gain momentum in Europe, these events are just the beginning of a new international event series.
Vasco Serpa, founder of Sail Cascais and Portuguese dealer of the Melges 15, echoed the excitement surrounding this announcement, stating, "We’re thrilled to be welcoming the Melges 15s to Cascais for the premiere European series. We’ll have local boats available for charter and ample storage options for private owners looking to take delivery here in Portugal.”
Sailors from around the world are encouraged to mark their calendars for the 2023-24 Melges 15 European Winter Series in Cascais. This series promises to be a celebration of world-class sailing in a stunning coastal setting.
For more information about the event and charters, visit melges15.com/european-winter-series.
Registration Open for 2024 Melges 15 Winter Series
The Melges 15 Winter Series is returning to Jensen Beach, FL in 2024. Hosted by the Class at the US Sailing Center of Martin County, this three-event series promises the perfect blend of competitive racing and idyllic vacation vibes.
The Melges 15 Winter Series is returning to Jensen Beach, FL in 2024. Hosted by the Class at the US Sailing Center of Martin County, this three-event series promises the perfect blend of competitive racing and idyllic vacation vibes. Grab your gear, rally your crew, and get ready for a regatta series like no other!
REGISTER
SAVE BIG
Don't miss out on our incredible early bird offer! Register for all three events by November 1, 2023, and lock in a special reduced rate of just $625. When selecting this option, you will be manually entered into the second and third events.
FREE DELIVERY TO EVENT 1
The Winter Series is the perfect time to take delivery of your new Melges 15! Race your own boat, forge new friendships, and gain invaluable insights from fellow Class members. Start a fleet with your friends this winter and dive headfirst into the excitement that Jensen Beach has to offer. For more information on new boats and take advantage of FREE delivery to the January event, email sales@melges.com or request a quote.
STORAGE & LOGISTICS
Store your boat at our partner storage facility located approximately 20 minutes from the Sailing Center. Enjoy a hassle-free series by booking your storage and transportation in advance through Melges Sailing Supply.
CHARTERS
Interested in seeing what the Melges 15 is all about? A limited number of charters are available for all three Winter Series events. Submit the form to receive more information on rates and availability. Don't wait – these charters are sure to go fast!
Charters Available for 2023 Championship Series
Melges is excited to offer a limited number of charter boats for the Great Lakes Championship and National Championship. Charters include everything you need to race and a day of practice!
NO BOAT? NO PROBLEM
Melges is excited to offer a limited number of charter boats for the Great Lakes Championship and National Championship. Charters include everything you need to race and a day of practice!
new boats available
Ready for a new boat? You can have a new Melges 15 delivered to the Nationals in Sayville, NY. Email eddie@melges.com for more information.
Registration Open for 2023 National Championship
The 2023 Melges 15 National Championship takes place September 29- October 1, hosted by Sayville Yacht Club in Blue Point, NY. Online registration is now open and the Notice of Race is available on Clubspot.
The 2023 Melges 15 National Championship takes place September 29- October 1, hosted by Sayville Yacht Club in Blue Point, NY. Online registration is now open and the Notice of Race is available on Clubspot.
The rapidly growing Melges 15 Class is expecting a strong turnout for the final event of the 2023 Championship Series. A limited number of charter boats will be available.
The Melges/Quantum Sails Zenda Team will be onsite to help you make the most of the event!
CHARTER A MELGES 15
Melges is excited to offer a limited number of charter boats for the Great Lakes Championship and National Championship. Charters include everything you need to race and a day of practice!
NEW BOATS AVAILABLE
New boats are available in time for Nationals! Start a fleet with your friends this summer and join the action. For more information on joining the Melges 15 Class, email us at sales@melges.com or request a quote.
Melges 15s Make Splash at Long Beach Race Week
A dozen Melges 15s hit the water at Long Beach Race Week for the first time over June 23-25. Boats traveled to Alamitos Bay and Long Beach Yacht Clubs from Washington, Colorado, and all corners of California for the event.
A dozen Melges 15s hit the water at Long Beach Race Week for the first time over June 23-25. Boats traveled to Alamitos Bay and Long Beach Yacht Clubs from Washington, Colorado, and all corners of California for the event.
Kevin Thomas, from Long Beach and a member of the Alamitos Bay Yacht Club, purchased his Melges 15 last fall and is one of the 12 competitors who raced in the fleet. He has raced LBRW for over thirty years on many boats including CF37, Melges 24, J/109, J/105, Viper 640 and J/70. This year he sailed with his crew of eleven years, Helen Burdett – they did their first LBRW together in 2007.
“The local fleet is just getting started and [we had] a chance to sail with a couple of the guys from the Pacific Northwest and Tahoe area who have had their boats longer, so we hope to learn from them,” Thomas said. “Long Beach is a great place for this boat.”
Thompson/Taugher USA 324 sail to victory. Photo by Tom Walker
Throughout the three solid days of racing, conditions ranged from big breeze in the high teens to light conditions on the final day. Congratulations to Brad Thompson and Kevin Taugher (ABYC) on their commanding performance catapulting them to the top of the podium!
“It helps to have a great crew and I have Kevin Taugher who is magic,” Thompson said. “It [was] a little bit of everything, we’ve had some great boat handling. [Friday] was a little different in the bigger breeze where we just powered through and basically just kept boat speed up. We were hitting 16 knots in breeze downwind and the big boat guys were clapping us on as we blew by them. [Saturday] was a little more strategic watching shifts and puffs and finding places on the course.”
“Sunday was a great conclusion to a great regatta with some 80 boats racing including a class new to us - Melges 15 - which we were thrilled to welcome,” noted LBYC Staff Commodore John Busch.