The Melges 15 is making waves—literally—across Long Island Sound. What began as a few early adopters has transformed into one of the fastest-growing regional fleets in the country. This summer, 50 Melges 15s will be racing across the Sound, with major fleet growth at several prestigious yacht clubs.
A Class for All
The appeal of the Melges 15 lies in its versatility. Whether you’re a competitive racer, a weekend warrior, or a parent looking to share the sport with your kids, the M15 offers a platform that delivers on all fronts.
John Storck III, from Centerport Yacht Club, reflects on the decision to bring the Melges 15 to Long Island Sound:
“The design concept of the M15 seemed to bridge the gaps found in past boats, providing a versatile and approachable platform for our diverse group. We took a risk, and it has worked out better than expected.”
Storck highlights how a small group of six boats has grown into a robust, visible fleet at Centerport—welcoming, enthusiastic, and always ready to debrief over a post-race drink. This summer, they’ll be racing Thursday nights and select Sundays, all building toward the highly anticipated Melges 15 East Coast Championship, hosted by Centerport YC May 30–June 1, 2025. With nearly 40 boats already registered, the event is shaping up to be one of the summer's most anticipated events.
A Fleet on Fire
Centerport may be the birthplace of the Sound’s M15 craze, but it’s far from the only hotspot.
American Yacht Club (Rye, NY) boldly purchased eight brand-new Melges 15s, laying a foundation for high-caliber racing and youth development.
Pequot Yacht Club (Fairfield, CT) joined the fun with seven boats. Their members, many of whom were inspired by the Winter Series in Merritt Island, FL, will be racing Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. “Seven members decided to hold hands and jump in together,” says Dave Smith of Pequot, underscoring the camaraderie the M15 fosters. “We wanted to find a new fleet that could offer something more modern and high-performance than our existing fleets, with an eye towards attracting and retaining Corinthian members, as well as appealing to our members who like to sail with their families.”
Huguenot Yacht Club (New Rochelle, NY) continues to expand, adding two new boats to an already active fleet.
Noroton Yacht Club (Darien, CT) now boasts 10 Melges 15s, thanks in part to sailors like John Bainton who were drawn to the boat’s family-friendly design.
“The biggest draw to the M15 was the ability to sail the boat with my kids, who sail Optis. I sailed competitively with my father growing up, and have been looking for a class to do the same with my kids. The M15 offers fun, casual, local club sailing and the option to take it to the next level and race in hyper-competitive large fleets during the Winter Series and championship events.” — John Bainton, Noroton YC
Building Community
Each club is carving out its own schedule and identity within the class. At Pequot, racing takes place on Friday nights and Sunday afternoons. Noroton’s Friday evening fleet racing is designed not just for competition, but for visibility, showcasing the fleet and encouraging broader member participation.
“We race throughout the summer season on Thursday evenings. In addition, we race three Sundays during the summer season, in conjunction with CYC's commodore cup series. One additional date is our club championship, typically held on a Saturday or Sunday in mid-September.” – John Storck
"A number of us will participate in regional regattas both on and off Long Island Sound, with an eye towards the East Coast Championship, the Sail Newport Regatta, the Hyannis Regatta, and the US Nationals in the Fall." – Dave Smith
Many clubs are also exploring shared ownership models and club-owned boats to lower the barrier to entry.
"We will have a club-owned Melges 15 for members at Noroton to take turns trying out. This will hopefully be our spark plug to help get more members to buy into private M15 ownership. I am hopeful that when people see the lineup in our dry-stall with 10 new M15s they will be impressed and even more so when they see us sailing by on the water amongst the other fleets." – John Bainton
Get Involved
The Melges 15 fleet on Long Island Sound is welcoming and eager to grow. Whether you're a junior sailor looking to step up, a seasoned racer chasing competition, or a family seeking more time together on the water—there’s a spot for you in the M15 community.
With the 2025 East Coast Championship on the horizon, now’s the perfect time to jump in. From casual club sailing to top-tier regattas, the Melges 15 is redefining what it means to be part of a one-design class.