The Melges 32 is a racing keelboat, built predominantly of composite material. It has a 7/8 fractionalsloop rig with dual swept spreaders, a keel-stepped mast and carbon fiber spars. The hull is built from fiberglass reinforced epoxy and a PVC fiberglass epoxy sandwich. The hull has a nearly-plumb stem, an open reverse transom, an internally mounted spade-type rudder controlled by a tiller and a retractable carbon fiber lifting keel with a lead bulb weight. It displaces 3,774 lb (1,712 kg) and carries 1,570 lb (712 kg) of lead ballast.[1][2][6]
The boat has a draft of 7.00 ft (2.13 m) with the keel extended. With it retracted the boat can be operated in shallow water or transported on a boat trailer.[1][2]
The boat is normally fitted with a small 10 hp (7 kW) outboard motor for docking and maneuvering.[6]
For sailing downwind the design may be equipped with an asymmetrical spinnaker of 1,302 sq ft (121.0 m2), a reaching gennaker of 774 sq ft (71.9 m2) or a light air reaching asymmetrical spinnaker (VMG) of 1,113 sq ft (103.4 m2).[1][2]
The design has a hull speed of 7.15 kn (13.24 km/h).[2]
Operational history
The boat is supported by an active class club that organizes racing events, the International Melges 32 Class Association.[12][13]