Melges now building sporty international vessels

by Melges Performance Sailboats on 5 May 2011 Melges Performance Sailboats is pleased to announce that its already highly successful product line of scows and sportboats will expand to include the fast and seriously fun International 29er and 29erXX, as well as the 49er one-design skiffs. Well known for their high performance attitude and styling, they are befitting of the Melges brand and embody the best in world-class sailing.

'This is a very exciting time for Melges Performance Sailboats,' said CEO, Harry Melges, III, who recently acquired the 29er and 29erXX build division of PS2000 Performance Products based in Montreal, Canada, and will serve as a non-exclusive U.S. distributor and sales center for the 49er. 'As with all of our scows and sportboats, we are excited about building the 29er and 29erXX in Zenda, Wisc. — Melges made in the USA.

The 49er is another great boat that we are also quite happy to be distributing throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean. We envision great potential with this wonderful brand of skiffs.'

'The 29er, 29erXX and the 49er are perfect platforms that promote youth sailing and attract men and women looking for a super fun, high-speed ride that offers great competition,' continued Melges. 'The Melges Team would like to extend a very special thanks to Ian Bruce and his immense support while transitioning the build operation from Canada to Zenda. Ian has done a tremendous job with these boats and has laid a great foundation for them to grow further.'

'PS2000 has been thinking, slowly but surely, about winding down the business of building our smaller racing sailboats, so we can focus more on our classic runabout boats,' said Ian Bruce, Olympic sailor, father of the Laser and founder of PS2000. 'In my career, I've been involved in building 12 different ISAF classes and over 120,000 boats and this was a real opportunity to change direction.

Melges is an extraordinary group of individuals running a top-notch organization, which actually made the transfer a great pleasure, especially considering I was able to spend time with my lifelong friends Buddy and Gloria Melges.'

Other strong motives for Bruce, were that Melges would be continuing the 29er boat building operation on U.S. soil, and that the classes would be well supported.

'Melges USA is dedicated and passionate about providing the best boats, product support and customer service to International 29er, 29erXX and 49er sailors,' commented Andy Burdick, President of Melges Performance Sailboats. 'Just like our scow and sportboat customers, skiff owners will experience all the same great conveniences such as the ability to purchase parts and accessories at Melges in Zenda, but also online via melges.com, as well as enjoy on-site support at regattas.'

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