MELGES 24
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 24 ft |
| LWL | 22 ft |
| Beam | 8.2 ft |
| Draft | 5 ft |
| Displacement | 1,750 lb |
| Ballast | 650.4 lb |
| Material | 27.0 |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.3 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 27.85 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 7.95 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 28.9 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 12.45 ft |
| FLforestay | 8 ft |
| Mainsail | 305 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 110.7 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 188.2 sq ft |
Accommodation
| CE category | About65 500€(2020) |
About the MELGES 24
Designed by Reichel/Pugh and built by Melges Boat Works, the Melges 24 is a high-performance fractional sloop produced in 1993. With a displacement of 1750.0 lb and a D/L ratio of 73.37, it is a lightweight, racing-focused vessel where the exact number of hulls built is not definitively recorded in the source data.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for competitive club racers and performance-oriented coastal cruisers who prioritize speed and handling over heavy bluewater comfort, given its low comfort ratio of 7.26 and light displacement.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 2.72 and a maximum draft of 5.0 ft, the Melges 24 is not designed for serious offshore passage-making, as its light displacement and performance-oriented hull form prioritize speed over seakeeping stability.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the J/24 and the O'Day 24, as they share similar fractional sloop rigs, light displacement profiles, and roles as one-design racing platforms from the same era.
Performance
ORC Performance Data(25 certificates)
Measured performance data from ORC (Offshore Racing Congress) certificates.
Polar Diagram
Boat speed (kn) vs. true wind angle. Source: ORC
Racing Ratings
Triple Number
ORC Measured
Sail Areas (ORC)
Speed Table (kn)
| TWA \ TWS | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 20 | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52° | 4.2 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 6.6 | 6.8 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| 60° | 4.6 | 5.8 | 6.5 | 6.9 | 7.1 | 7.3 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| 75° | 4.8 | 6.0 | 6.6 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 7.9 | 8.2 | 8.5 | 8.7 |
| 90° | 4.6 | 5.9 | 6.6 | 7.3 | 8.0 | 8.5 | 8.9 | 9.6 | 10.1 |
| 110° | 4.5 | 5.9 | 6.8 | 7.7 | 8.3 | 8.9 | 9.4 | 10.8 | 12.3 |
| 120° | 4.3 | 5.7 | 6.7 | 7.7 | 8.7 | 9.5 | 10.2 | 11.6 | 13.1 |
| 135° | 3.7 | 5.2 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 8.1 | 9.3 | 10.8 | 13.3 | 15.0 |
| 150° | 3.0 | 4.3 | 5.5 | 6.3 | 7.1 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 12.5 | 15.7 |
| Beat VMG | 2.6 | 3.6 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 4.7 | 4.8 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.8 |
| Run VMG | 2.6 | 3.8 | 4.7 | 5.5 | 6.1 | 6.9 | 7.8 | 10.8 | 13.6 |
Images
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
6 listings · boat years 1993–2009 · median $17,900
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 24ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
29 reported issues across 10 systems for the MELGES 24, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a MELGES 24? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 29 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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