Melges 15 UK season builds towards inaugural Nationals
by Melges UK 13 May 04:00 PDT
Clash of the Coaches at the WPNSA - Upwind soon after the start © Mark Jardine
The 2026 season was a bit stop-start, with too much wind at time and too little at others, but things are really ramping up with fleets building in Lymington and Warsash, and other locations joining the fun later in the year...
For those on the east coast, there is a Demo Day at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club at Burnham-on-Crouch on Saturday 30th May with a race day on Sunday 31st May. This is a great chance to give the boat a go on the Endeavour Trophy waters.
Things then move on to Lymington with an event on 21st and 22nd June with boats available to hire for just £100 per day, delivered and ready to race. Just contact Liam Pardy via to secure your place. With the sea breezes starting to come, the Melges 15 will come alive in the Western Solent, giving you some air time on the Solent chop.
If you're a Royal Lymington Yacht Club member and want to give boats a go, two are available for club races at just £10 a day. Yes, you read that right, a tenner!
The main event of the season is the inaugural Melges 15 UK Nationals at the Royal Torbay Yacht Club, taking place 10th to 12 July during the Torbay Dinghy Regatta. There will be a great buzz at the clubhouse and the boats will fly on the superb waters of Tor Bay.
There are just 12 boats left to charter, so contact Liam via to book your boat at £175 / day, delivered to the club dinghy park. Your boat will be there ready, rigged and waiting for you to step in and sail.
Bob Penfold from the Royal Torbay Yacht Club adds,
"The Torbay Dinghy Regatta is open to PY dinghies, both asymmetric and non-asymmetric, and junior classes. The club is especially excited that the Melges 15 class have chosen Torbay for their first ever UK National Championship, racing on some of the finest sailing waters in the world.
"Competitors, their friends, and families can be sure of a very warm welcome and will enjoy a friendly atmosphere, cordial hospitality and are encouraged to meet up at the club on the evening of Friday 10th for pre-regatta drinks, with the restaurant offering a range of Friday night specials. The social programme continues after racing on Saturday 11th with a BBQ on the club terrace sharing panoramic views across Torbay and live from" Alicia Deane & Kev's Guitar" music at the club.
"July is just a great time to be in Torquay on the English Riviera, don't miss it, you'll not be disappointed!"
Further afield, the Europeans are taking place at Fraglia vela Riva on Lake Garda between 3rd and 5th July. The charter fleet is sold out already, but there are options to purchase and Liam may be able to sort a boat through a private owner if you contact him directly.
It's a great time to join the fleet in the UK which is already attracting 100+ boat fleets in North America and mainland Europe. It's your route to fast, one-design racing around the world.
Find out more about the Melges 15 at www.gpwatercraft.co.uk/product-category/boats/melges/melges-15