From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Specifications Under Current Rules
Number of crew 5 or more LOA 31ft 10in 9.7m Beam 9ft 10in 3m Draft 7ft 2.1m Hull weight (with fittings) 3900lbs 1770kg Sail Area of total of Main 445ft² 41.3m² Sail Area of total of Jib 254ft² 23.6m² Sail Area of total of Spinnaker 774 - 1,302ft² 72 - 121m²

The Melges 32 is a one-design class of sailboat commonly used for racing. The boat is notable for its ability to plane over the water downwind in modest winds, and for its combination of a simple design that is highly tunable.

The Melges 32 is becoming a popular design produced by Melges Performance Sailboats, a United States company founded by Harry Melges, father of former Olympic sailor Buddy Melges. The boat was designed by the Reichel/Pugh design team and went into production in 2005.

The boat is 31 foot 10 inch (9.7 m) long and 9 foot 10 inch (3 m) wide at the beam. It carries around 1800 square feet (93 m²) of sail area, main, jib and asymmetrical spinnaker combined. Upwind, it has a mainsail and 105% jib. Downwind, it has a large 1,113 - 1,302 square foot (103 - 121 m²) asymmetrical spinnaker that flies from a retractable bowsprit. The Melges 32 in many ways is similar to the Henderson 30 which is no longer produced. Both being open cockpit retractable bowsprit sportboats with a retractable center well mounted outboard motor.

The boat's hull is made from lightweight fiberglass. The mast, rudder, bowsprit, and keel fin are made from carbon fiber for light weight. The hull is generally flat on the bottom, making it plane easily. The 1700 pound (778 kg) keel fin and keel bulb can retract up to the hull bottom to make it easier to put on a trailer.

The boat is generally raced with a crew of five or more. Because the boat sails faster with a heavier crew, class rules for racing limit crew weight to 1525 pounds (692 kg) total.

Strict one design class rules govern the Melge 32s amateur owner/driver requirements, professional crew limitations and crew weight maximum to limit the number of crew.

Reichel/Pugh also designed other modern Melges boats, such as the Melges 17, the Melges 24, and the Melges 30

• Melges 32 - Manufacturer's description and info
• Melges 32 Class Association - Owners racing class
• Soca Sailboats - Builder's homepage