Review of Melges 24
Basic specs.
If you have a photo you would like to share: Upload Image
Looking for a new boat? Find a Melges 24 or similar boat for sale
The hull is made of fibreglass. Generally, a hull made of fibreglass requires only a minimum of maintenance during the sailing season. And outside the sailing season, just bottom cleaning and perhaps anti-fouling painting once a year - a few hours of work, that's all.
DaggerBoard aka Sword
The Melges 24 is equipped with a daggerboard keel. A daggerboard is a lifting keel that can be lowered and raised, allowing the boat to enter shallow waters as well.
The keel is made of lead. Compared with iron, lead has the advantage of being 44% heavier, which allows a smaller keel and hence less water resistance and higher speed.
The boat can enter most marinas as the draft is just about 1.52 - 1.62 meter (4.99 - 5.29 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.
An outboard motor is often used on this boat. In that case the boat will typically require a power of 2 - 3 hp, alternatively 35 - 42 lbs thrust if you prefer an electrical motor. Electric outboards are becoming popular for sailboat owners who want clean instant power with less noise and no exhaust fumes.
Sailing characteristics
This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.
What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?
The capsize screening value for Melges 24 is 2.71, indicating that this boat would not be accepted to participate in ocean races.
What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?
The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 6.3 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.
The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level.
The immersion rate for Melges 24 is about 111 kg/cm, alternatively 626 lbs/inch.
Meaning: if you load 111 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm.
Alternatively, if you load 626 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.
Sailing statistics
This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.
What is Motion Comfort Ratio (MCR)?
The Motion Comfort Ratio for Melges 24 is 7.3.
What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?
The l/b ratio for Melges 24 is 2.94.
The ballast ratio for Melges 24 is 37%.
What is Displacement Length Ratio?
The DL-ratio for Melges 24 is 73 which categorizes this boat among 'ultra light racers'.
What is SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)?
The SA/D for Melges 24 with ISO 8666 reference sail is 32.0, with a 135% genua the SA/D is 36.3.
Maintenance
When buying anti-fouling bottom paint, it's nice to know how much to buy.
The surface of the wet bottom is about 20m2 (215 ft2).
Based on this, your favourite maritime shop can tell you the quantity you need.
Note: If you use a paint roller you will need more paint than if you use a paintbrush.
Dimensions of sail.
Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale
If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.
| Usage | Length | Diameter | ||
| Mainsail halyard | 23.3 m | (76.5 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Jib/genoa halyard | 23.3 m | (76.5 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Spinnaker halyard | 23.3 m | (76.5 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Jib sheet | 7.3 m | (24.0 feet) | 10 mm | (3/8 inch) |
| Genoa sheet | 7.3 m | (24.0 feet) | 10 mm | (3/8 inch) |
| Mainsheet | 18.3 m | (60.0 feet) | 10 mm | (3/8 inch) |
| Spinnaker sheet | 16.1 m | (52.8 feet) | 10 mm | (3/8 inch) |
| Cunningham | 3.8 m | (12.5 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Kickingstrap | 7.6 m | (25.0 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
| Clew-outhaul | 7.6 m | (25.0 feet) | 8 mm | (5/16 inch) |
This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.
Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.
We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Melges 24 it would be a great help.
If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us. Criticism helps us to improve.