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| Specifications Under Current Rules |
|
|
| Number of crew |
2 |
| LOA |
16 ft 7.75 in (5.1 m) |
| Beam |
5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Draft |
3 ft 11.5 in (1.21 m) |
| Hull weight (with fittings) |
300 lb (140 kg) |
| Sail Area of total of Jib |
66 sq ft (6.1 m²) |
| Sail Area of total of Main |
154 sq ft (14.3 m²) |
| Sail Area of total of Spinnaker |
280 sq ft (26 m²) |
|
The Melges17 was first launched in January of 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] External links
