Melges 24 to build in Sydney

Northshore Yachting get the contract to push sportsboat in Asia-Pacific market

Sydney-based Northshore Yachting have signed an exclusive license agreement with Melges Performance Sailboats to build and distribute the Melges 24 throughout the Asia Pacific market.

Designed by Reichel Pugh Yacht Design, the Melges 24 is one of the most popular racing yachts in the world. Making this class of boat more accessible to Asia Pacific sailor has been a long-held desire of Harry Melges, President of Melges Performance Sailboats.

“In choosing our Asia Pacific partner, we wanted to work with a company that not only shared our commitment to quality and craftsmanship when building the Melges 24 to the strict one design formula, but also shared our passion for sailing with and developing strong fleets - locally and internationally,” commented Melges. “Quite clearly we have found such a partner with the team at Northshore.”

Introduced in 1993, today over 650 Melges 24s are sailed around globe, primarily in the United States and Europe. More than 120 Melges 24s recently lined up for the start at their world championship in Hyeres, France.

Heath Walters, Managing Director of Northshore Yachting, a company best known for building the Northshore range of yachts, believes that one of the key attractions of the Melges 24 class is its international appeal.

“The Asia Pacific sailing scene has always been keen on sportboats, but no single design has been able to gain class size beyond their own countries,” said Walters. “The Melges 24 is a class that has established a strong presence within the United States and Europe, which in turn will allow sailors within our local market to enjoy such a boat, simultaneously racing them on the international circuit.”