The American shipyard Melges Performance Sailboats presents the Melges 19, a new concept in the dinghy segment that was developed in collaboration with the renowned design studio Reichel/Pugh. The 19-foot (5.79 metre) unitary boat for three people positions itself as a bridge between sophisticated sailing and uncomplicated handling. Built in Wisconsin, the Melges 19 embodies the typical brand characteristics: sporty performance, easy handling and a well thought-out class concept. The manufacturer also sees the boat as an ideal training tool for refining basic sailing skills and transferring them to other boat classes.
Sophisticated concept for easy handling
The Melges 19 has been consistently designed for user-friendliness. The deep, ergonomically designed cockpit offers enough space for three people and enables comfortable manoeuvres when tacking and jibing. The closed, almost retro-looking stern plays an important role here: the deeper cockpit makes it easier to dive under the main boom. Boat handling has been simplified in all aspects - from transport and launching to operation on the water. Thanks to a specially developed slip trolley trailer system, the boat can be easily transported and launched, regardless of whether the launch is from a beach, a slip ramp, a boat lift or a crane. The designers have placed particular emphasis on a good balance between performance and control. The rig and sail plan have been designed to be manageable even for less experienced crews, without sacrificing the sportiness typical of Melges boats.
Performance for all conditions
In terms of performance, the Melges 19 should show its strengths particularly on space sheet courses. Planing should be possible from as little as 10 knots of wind. Despite its sporty design, the Melges 19 remains easy to control and stable even at higher wind speeds. The hull shape with its distinctive chines and a width of 1.98 metres should ensure a high righting moment. With a recommended crew weight of between 220 and 243 kilograms, the boat is flexible in terms of team composition and therefore appeals to a broad target group. The construction is designed to be competitive in a wide range of conditions without neglecting the fun factor.
Technical specifications Melges 19:
- Length: 5.80 m
- Width: 1.98 m
- Draught (recoverable): 1,37 m
- Weight: 179 kg
- Mainsail: 12.0 m²
- Jib: 6.0 m²
- Gennaker: 30,0 m²
- Crew: 3 persons
- Recommended crew weight: 220-243 kg
- Price: 34,500 US dollars (ready to sail, without trailer and slip carriage)
