Melges 24 Takes Off Down Under
The Melges 24 is a finalist in this year’s prestigious Australian Marine Industry Federation Boat of the Year Award which will be announced on the 24th May at a gala dinner in Surfer’s Paradise.
The nomination is not a surprise to Heath Walters, CEO of Northshore Yachts; he always knew that the Melges were going to be popular. Late last year his company secured the exclusive license to build and distribute the Melges 24 in Australia. Since then he has seen interest in the class spread like wildfire.
"We have had a lot of interest from yachtsmen wanting to down size and up speed. Getting into a Melges 24 is as they say 'The Ferrari of the sea'" he said.
With 61 year old Dave Ullman’s last weekend in the Fullpower Melges 24 World Championship, interest in the class can only increase.
The Melges 24 was introduced by designers Reichel/Pugh in 1993. They are considered the most popular one design racing yachts in the world, with a large following in the States and Europe. Trailerable, with a simple layout and easy to rig, the boats have a reputation for incredibly fast downwind performance.
Northshore holds the exclusive licence to build and distribute Melges 24 across the entire Asia Pacific region. Walters says that there has been strong interest in the boats throughout Asia.
The number of boats to be built in Australia has been increased to meet local demand. About 15-20 boats will be built this year with this number increasing to 30 or more in 2008. Walters says that Northshore’s order book is full until August 2007.
The Melges 24's are rapidly buiding numbers across Australia. Four Melges 24's boats are on their way there and will reportedly be based at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club.
Demand for the boats is not just coming from the Sydney contingent. A Brisbane owner plans to sail his Melges 24 from Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.
West Australian Heath Townsend will take delivery of his boat this month and then will start to campaign it for Meridien Airlie Beach Race Week. There will be at least two other Melges owners racing at Airlie Beach.
A Geelong based team have their sights on the first National Championship which is to be sailed at Geelong Race Week in February 2008.
With the number of Australian boats set to increase, Walters is campaigning hard to have the 2010 Melges Worlds held in this country.
"We are planning to put our proposal in at the next AGM for the IM24 Class Associations in Europe later this year."
The Melges 24 are getting a reputation as a racer’s racing boat. Walters reports that a number of Sydney 38, IRC and sports boats crews have been out for test sails and have greatly enjoyed the experience. Generally sailed by a crew of four, they fly a 670 square foot asymmetrical spinnaker off a carbon fiber bowsprit.
"Another benefit to sailing Melges 24's is that there is huge depth to the fleet… A lot of the sailors have multiple World titles in other classes under their belt. And with the advantage of being a one design class and crews training in Australia can campaign in Australia first before taking on the world."
With Luna Rossa star James Spithill a previous world champion in the class in 2005, there will be an Australian contingent looking for the podium at the next Worlds in Porta Cervo in Italy 2008.
The interest in the Melges fleet is widespread, Walters explains "We have 10 boats in Japan and we sold a boat to Korea early this year… We have had strong leads from New Zealand, Thailand, Taiwan and South Africa."
If you’re planning to do a tour of the boat shows this year you can see the Melges 24 at the Sanctuary Cove Boat Show, 24-27 May. There will also be a boat at West Australia’s Mandurah Boat Show, 21-14 October.
Contact details Northshore Yachts
Address : 2/29 Tathra St
City : West Gosford
State : NSW
Postcode : 2250
Country : Australia
Phone : + 612 4322 6958
Mobile: +0417200804
Fax : + 61 2 4322 6959
Email : sales@northshoreyachts.com.au