Sailing a Melges 24

smartselos · #1 (**permalink**) 06-03-2004

Hi everyone...

I just wanted to ask if any of you have ever raced/sailed a Melges 24 on the Long Island Sound. If so, I wanted to ask for any opinions regarding the sailing experience. The boat seems very light, so I wanted to know how does the boat handle in above 15-knot wind, 2 to 4 feet of waves etc? Any information you can provide me will be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Sailmc · #2 (**permalink**) 06-03-2004

I have not sailed on Long Island Sound but I have been crewing on an M24 on Tuesday nights for a few years now. The boat is light and that what makes it fast. We have raced it both PHRF and one design. The PHRF fleet hates us. We can usually lap J24''s on a Windward/Leward course. The boat will do well in a chop because of it''s fine entry. It will be very wet for the crew on the rail though. Off the wind in the conditions you are talking about it is a ball and you can expect to plane if you work the boat right. The boat is fairly sophisticated and will require a steep learning curve to get the most out of her. Ex scow sailors have an advantage here. Somewhat atheletic too for all but the helmsman. A crew of four is required to race succesfully. It is not a boat that I would consider for casual day sailing.

paulk · #3 (**permalink**) 06-03-2004

Just a couple more questions you might want answers to:
1/ Being so light, how do they react to powerboat slop? LIS is one of the most heavily traveled areas in the entire U.S. for commercial and pleasure power traffic.
2/ Where on LIS are there Melges 24 fleets?
Why and/or why not? Are there any scows on LIS? I''ve never seen one there.
3/ What is the PHRF rating, if there are no other M24''s to race against?
4/ Are you familiar with working jybing angles downwind? An error of just a few degrees can mean you lose.
4/ Why is this one (apparently) for sale?

maestro · #4 (**permalink**) 06-04-2004

Melges 24 in Western LI Sound has a phrf base rating of 99