(As published by Sail-World - September 14, 2021) - There's something about 24-foot boats that attracts great sailors. This tradition arguably began with Rod Johnstone's J/24 (1977), which passed the proverbial torch to the Melges 24, a sportboat that was drawn by Reichel/Pugh in 1993 and has been built by Melges Performance Sportboats ever since. While both boats carry 24 feet on their waterline, the similarities tap-out quickly: The Melges 24 carries a retractable sprit pole, off of which it flies a powerful asymmetric spinnaker. It also has a significantly lighter-weight hull that carries its beam farther astern than the J/24, and the newer sportboat also employs a flatter, planing-friendly undercarriage.

More importantly, the Melges 24 has also attracted—and retained—some of the world's best sailors since the class held its first U.S. Nationals (Galesville, Maryland) in 1993.

While the 1993 Nationals "only" drew 22 boats, this fleet included some serious talent, including Mark Reynolds, Harry Melges III, Brian Porter, and Andy Burdick.

Flash forward 28 years, and the 2021 Melges 24 U.S. Nationals, which are being hosted by the Crescent Sail Yacht Club in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, from September 17-19, is (as of this writing) drawing 25 boats. Impressively, the talent list involves (but is not limited to) some familiar names, including Brian Porter and Harry Melges IV.

I checked in with Laura Grondin, chair of the International Melges 24 Class Association, and Megan Ratliff, president of the U.S. Melges 24 Class Association, via email, to learn more about this exciting national-level regatta.

READ MORE