Melges 17

Melges 17
Class Symbol
Current Specifications
Crew	2
Type	Monohull (Scow)
LOA	16 ft 7.75 in (5.0737 m)
Beam	5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)
Draft	3 ft 11.5 in (1.207 m)
Hull weight	300 lb (140 kg)
Mainsail area	154 sq ft (14.3 m2)
Jib / Genoa area	66 sq ft (6.1 m2)
Spinnaker area	280 sq ft (26 m2)

The Melges17 was first launched in January 2004 by Melges Performance Sailing. The 16 ft 7.75 in (5.1 m) boat consists of a main with a large roach, a roller furling jib and an asymmetrical spinnaker.

Design

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. 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.

External links

• Melges17 - Manufacturers page
• Melges17 Class Association - Racing class
• Melges Performance Sailing