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Melges 24
Designer: Reichel/Pugh  ·  Builder: Melges Boat Works  ·  First built: 1993
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About the Melges 24

Designed by the renowned Reichel/Pugh team and built by Melges Boat Works since 1993, this 24-footer has earned legendary status in the one-design racing world. With its aggressive sail area to displacement ratio of 32.13 and lightweight 1,750-pound hull, the Melges 24 delivers exhilarating performance that attracts serious racers and weekend warriors alike. The boat's innovative lifting keel configuration provides tactical advantages on the race course while enabling access to shallow waters. Its fractional sloop rig and fiberglass construction create an ideal balance of speed, durability, and handling characteristics. The relatively low comfort ratio of 7.26 and capsize screening formula of 2.72 reflect its pure racing DNA, prioritizing performance over creature comforts. Built for competitive sailing, the Melges 24 excels in one-design fleet racing, coastal regattas, and spirited day sailing. The class has developed a passionate global following, with active fleets participating in world championships and local series events. While not intended for extended cruising, experienced sailors appreciate its responsive handling and ability to plane in moderate conditions. This boat represents serious racing pedigree in an accessible 24-foot package, making it perfect for sailors seeking championship-caliber performance and intense competition.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 24.00 ft / 7.32 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam 8.20 ft / 2.50 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 1,750.00 lb / 794 kg
Ballast 650.00 lb / 295 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 291.00 ft² / 27.03 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Lifting Keel
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Reichel/Pugh
Builder Melges Boat Works
First Built 1993
Associations Melges 24 Class
Related Sailboats ["J24" · "Ic 24" · "Wavelength 24" · "Rl 24" · "Cc 24"]
Owner Reviews

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 93
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 32.13
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 37.14
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 73.37
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 7.26
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.72
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.29 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 7.25
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 644.59 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 32.09
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 27.85 ft / 8.49 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 7.95 ft / 2.42 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 28.90 ft / 8.81 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.45 ft / 3.79 m
SA Fore 110.70 ft² / 10.28 m²
SA Main 179.90 ft² / 16.71 m²
SA Total (100%) 290.60 ft² / 27.00 m²
Est. Forestay Length 28.96 ft / 8.83 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make OB
How It Compares

vs. Ic 24, Rl 24, Wavelength 24

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Melges 24 ★
24.0 ft
Ic 24
24.0 ft
Rl 24
24.0 ft
Wavelength 24
24.0 ft
LWL
Melges 24 ★
22.0 ft
Ic 24
20.0 ft
Rl 24
19.5 ft
Wavelength 24
20.3 ft
Beam
Melges 24 ★
8.2 ft
Ic 24
8.8 ft
Rl 24
7.3 ft
Wavelength 24
9.0 ft
Displacement
Melges 24 ★
1 lbs
Ic 24
3 lbs
Rl 24
1 lbs
Wavelength 24
2 lbs
Ballast
Melges 24 ★
650 lbs
Ic 24
950 lbs
Rl 24
225 lbs
Wavelength 24
1 lbs
Sail Area
Melges 24 ★
291 sq ft
Ic 24
—
Rl 24
216 sq ft
Wavelength 24
288 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Melges 24 ★
93 s/nm
Ic 24
174 s/nm
Rl 24
174 s/nm
Wavelength 24
162 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Melges 24 ★
32.1
Ic 24
—
Rl 24
24.8
Wavelength 24
25.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Melges 24 ★
37.1 %
Ic 24
30.7 %
Rl 24
13.6 %
Wavelength 24
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Melges 24 ★
7.3
Ic 24
12.6
Rl 24
8.6
Wavelength 24
9.7
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Melges 24 ★
2.72
Ic 24
2.40
Rl 24
2.48
Wavelength 24
2.66
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Melges 24 ★
73
Ic 24
172
Rl 24
99
Wavelength 24
—
Hull Speed
Melges 24 ★
6.3 kts
Ic 24
6.0 kts
Rl 24
5.9 kts
Wavelength 24
6.0 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Melges 24 ★
7.3
Ic 24
3.4
Rl 24
—
Wavelength 24
4.8
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