SAILING YOUR MELGES 14
The Melges 14 is a joy to sail and will offer years of fun. It is best
to always follow proper safety guidelines. Always wear a lifejacket
and/or gear appropriate for the air and water temperature. Never
sail in conditions you do not feel comfortable in or might be
outside of your ability level.
It is best to start out in lighter winds to familiarize yourself with
the sailing characteristics of the Melges 14. Work your way up the
wind and wave scale as you become more comfortable in the boat.
Never venture offshore without another boat with you,
power or sail and always check the weather forecast.
Never sail with more than 115 kgs of crew weight on the boat in
more than 15 knots of wind and overload the boat and equipment.
This could potentially cause gear failure and injury.
TIPS FOR SAILING UPWIND
Light air, keep the cunningham loose, ease the outhaul in 25mm to
make the sail fuller down low at the boom and just snug the boom
vang. Sit forward in the boat. As the wind increases, tighten the
cunningham, outhaul and vang to flatten the main, bend the mast
and depower the boat. And, hike out! When it is very windy, you
can raise the daggerboard up 50-100mm to help ease windward
helm when sailing to windward.
TIPS FOR SAILING DOWNWIND
Downwind is the most fun point of sail on the Melges 14. When
broad reaching we pull the daggerboard up 1/2 way, ease the
cunningham all the way out, ease the outhaul in approximately
20mm and apply medium boom vang. Move your weight well !
aft if planing. Keep it forward in light air. When sailing straight
downwind, raise the board 1/3 up and move your weight closer !
to the center of the boat, typically on one knee so you can move
quickly. The main will be eased out to be 90 degrees to the
centerline of the boat and you will have to heel the boat slightly !
to windward. When it is very windy it is best to reach more for
stability and not attempt to go straight downwind. You have to
experiment with the best technique for you and test your limits.
MELGES.COM • MELGES14.COM
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