Engineering:Melges 17

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Short description: Sailboat class
Melges 17
Melges17logo.jpg
Development
DesignerReichel/Pugh
LocationUnited States
Year2005
Builder(s)Melges Performance Sailboats
RoleRacer
Boat
Crewtwo
Boat weight335 lb (152 kg)
Draft3.96 ft (1.21 m) with a bilgeboard down
Hull
Typemonohull
Constructionfiberglass
LOA16.65 ft (5.07 m)
Beam5.53 ft (1.69 m)
Hull appendages
Keel/board typetwin bilgeboards
Rudder(s)transom-mounted rudder
Rig
Rig typeBermuda rig
Sails
Sailplanfractional rigged sloop
Mainsail area154 sq ft (14.3 m2)
Jib/genoa area66 sq ft (6.1 m2)
Spinnaker area280 sq ft (26 m2)
Upwind sail area220 sq ft (20 m2)
Downwind sail area500 sq ft (46 m2)

The Melges 17 is an American scow-hulled sailing dinghy that was designed by Reichel/Pugh as a one-design racer and first built in 2005.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Production

The design has built by Melges Performance Sailboats in the United States since 2005 and remains in production.[1][2][5][7][8]

Design

The design was conceived to provide a boat for youth sailors to move up to from the Laser, 420 and the X Boat, as well as for adults couples to sail.[9]

The Melges 17 is a racing sailboat, with the hull built predominantly of fiberglass. It has a fractional sloop rig with carbon fiber spars; a scow hull; a transom-hung, aluminum extrusion rudder controlled by a tiller with an extension and twin retractable, aluminum extrusion bilgeboards. It displaces 335 lb (152 kg) and is normally sailed by two sailors, with an optimal crew weight of 265 to 350 lb (120 to 159 kg).[1][2][5][9]

The boat has a draft of 3.96 ft (1.21 m) with a bilgeboard extended. With both bilgeboards retracted it can be operated in shallow water, beached or transported on a boat trailer.[1][2]

For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with an asymmetrical spinnaker of 280 sq ft (26 m2), flown from a retractable bowsprit.[1][2]

Operational history

The boat was at one time supported by a class club that organized racing events, the Melges 17 Class Association.[10][11]

See also

Similar sailboats

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 McArthur, Bruce (2022). "Melges 17 sailboat". sailboatdata.com. https://sailboatdata.com/sailboat/melges-17. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Sea Time Tech, LLC (2022). "Melges 17". sailboat.guide. https://sailboat.guide/melges/17. 
  3. McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design". sailboatdata.com. https://sailboatdata.com/designer/reichelpugh-yacht-design. 
  4. Sea Time Tech, LLC (2022). "Reichel/Pugh Yacht Design". sailboat.guide. https://sailboat.guide/reichel-pugh-yacht-design. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Melges Performance Sailboats (2021). "The Melges 17". melges.com. https://melges.com/melges-17/. 
  6. Melges Performance Sailboats (2012). "Melges 17 Product Brochure". http://www.melges.com/_pdf/%28M17%29-Product-Brochure-2012-0908.pdf. 
  7. McArthur, Bruce (2021). "Melges Performance Sailboats". sailboatdata.com. https://sailboatdata.com/builder/melges-performance-sailboats. 
  8. Sea Time Tech, LLC (2022). "Melges Performance Sailboats". sailboat.guide. https://sailboat.guide/melges. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 "Melges 17". Sail Magazine. 28 February 2005. https://www.sailmagazine.com/boats/melges-17. 
  10. McArthur, Bruce (2022). "Melges 17 Class Site". sailboatdata.com. https://sailboatdata.com/association/melges-17-class-site. 
  11. Sea Time Tech, LLC (2022). "Melges 17 Class Site". sailboat.guide. https://sailboat.guide/melges-17-class-site-class-association. 

External links