28 April 2016 – Melges Performance Sailboats (MPS) is proud to introduce the brand new Melges 40™, designed by the extremely talented Botin Partners Naval Architecture and built by Premier Composite Technologies (PCT). This dynamic collaboration has created a one-of-a-kind, exciting, innovative-racing experience.
“We are thrilled to present the Melges 40, which will open the doors to a bright new future in the world of monohull, one-design, in-shore racing,” said Harry Melges, CEO of Melges Performance Sailboats. “We’ve always believed that one-design racing is sailing’s greatest strength, as it feeds all other aspects of the sport. We are excited about the Melges 40 because it will inspire and encourage sailors all over the world, regardless of age, gender or experience to have fun and enjoy sailing.”
“Fundamentally, it best represents our core values and philosophy,” said Federico Michetti, president of Melges Europe. “We’ve taken it to a whole new level by collaborating with the most visionary and award-winning yacht designer of the last decade, and one of the world’s best boat builders.” “For years, customers and top teams alike approached us demanding a unique package that featured full-carbon technology – sculpted performance from bow to stern,” explained Michetti. “The Melges 40 is a very special boat in that it’s the culmination of input from our best customers, owners and respected professional sailors, which is built within class rule and where the focus has been set to contain overall running cost. They asked for something that is 100% Melges concept – a boat that embodies the extraordinary. “
Botin jumped at the chance to design Melges’ largest boat ever made to date. “Melges is a pure sailing legend, and this was an opportunity for us to design something very new and different,” said Marcelino Botin. “The design compliments the Melges brand, and upholds their top-quality ideals. With respect to their philosophy, we proposed a design that adopts and introduces new features and concepts. The Melges 40 creates a new benchmark for performance in the 40-foot range.”
“For sure the Melges 40 is a new starting point in the sailing world,” said Max Waimer, Head of Marine and Technical Director at Premier Composite Technologies. “We share the same passion as Melges and Botin for creating not only a exceptional boat, but a very new, competitive racing experience. We truly have a common vision. The additional input from customers has made a big difference too. We put all of our production expertise and technology into the Melges 40.”
“Utilizing our in-house, 5-axis milling capacity, rigorous quality control and weight management, the Melges 40 is the most precise, one design ever built,” he added.
Premier Composite Technologies is the exclusive builder of the Melges 40.
Canting Keel
A canting keel and large sail plan aboard the Melges 40 increases upwind performance and creates a dramatically faster, thrilling downwind run. It will be unmistakably fun to drive, a real thoroughbred.
Already, top international owners and teams have committed to the Melges 40 program in full anticipation of sailing by Fall 2016. The very first Melges 40 World Series event will take place in 2017.
